Page 79 of Cold Hard Cash

Did that mean Boris wasn’t the only one abusing Cold? He didn’t dare ask, but he had to wonder.

They pulled up to Jimmy’s apartment, Jules escorting him upstairs and waiting patiently while he changed into a t-shirt and jeans. He freshened up, grabbed the check Rowena had given him, and let Jules lead him back to the car.

“What’s your bank?” Jules asked, pulling back out into traffic.

“Uhm, well, I don’t exactly have one,” Jimmy said with a sheepish smile. “I used to bank with Strassen Springs First? But my account is super in the hole.”

“So, where the hell we goin’?”

“You know Martine’s Pawn?”

“You bank with Maury the Mouth?” Jules chuckled. “The loan shark?”

“Yeah,” Jimmy laughed. “You know, the benefits are really good. There’s no overdraft fees, free checking, never have to wait in line.”

“Cute. You’ll need to get set up legit at some point. Especially with you and Cold gettin’ cozy, pigs will use anything they can to get to him.”

“Got it,” Jimmy said, nodding firmly.

They pulled up to Maury’s shop, Jules squinting as he looked around. “Hey, I know this block. Used to be a jewelry store over there, right?”

“Yeah,” Jimmy said. “My mom used to work there. It’s how my family met Maury.”

“It was a fuckin’ front,” Jules said with a laugh. “The Luchesis used to launder their money through here.”

Jimmy was horrified. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, ‘cause me and Boss used to run the cash. One of our first jobs together when we were kids.”

“My mom was working for the mob?” Jimmy hissed in disbelief.

“Ah, I’m sure they went straight at some point,” Jules said with a shrug. “Come on, Twig.” He herded Jimmy into the shop, the bell ringing and announcing their arrival.

Maury came out of the back, calling out, “Who the fuck is that?”

“Hey, Maury! It’s me, Jimmy!”

“Yo! Is that... holy fuck, Jules fuckin’ Price.” Maury blinked when he saw Jimmy wasn’t alone. “What the fuck, I’ve had like half the fuckin’ Gentlemen in my shop all in a week.”

Jules grinned, reaching out a big mitt to shake Maury’s hand. “Big fan of your work.”

Maury snorted, grinning wryly as they shook. “Pretty sure I busted up a few of you Prices back in the day, you know.”

“Yup. Got my old man once or twice with that crowbar of yours for not payin’ up,” Jules said with a smug smirk.

“Hey. Just business, Mr. Price,” Maury said.

“Bah, shoulda hit him in the head with it,” Jules chortled. “I ain’t worried about it.”

“Dead men can’t pay,” Maury said sagely, “but men with busted kneecaps sure fuckin’ can.”

“Wise words,” Jules said with an appreciative nod.

“So.” Maury glanced between him and Jimmy. “What can I do ya for? Here to get more of your shit outta hock?”

“Not exactly. I don’t have a bank right now, so you’re the next best thing,” Jimmy said cheerfully as he endorsed the check and handed it over to Maury. “I want to start actually saving, and yeah, I do wanna try getting more of my stuff out eventually. But I want to put like five hundred in my dad’s commissary and stash the rest for now.”

“Look at you, big fancy fellow,” Maury teased, whistling when he saw the check. “I take it this means your audition went well?”