Page 97 of Cold Hard Cash

“Do the other Gentlemen know?”

“That I killed Dickie? Jules for sure, Tamerlane is suspicious. The others, meh. They just figure Roddy did it,” she replied with a shrug, her lip beginning to quiver. “Even Dario... God, he means so much to me.”

“What about Dario?” Jimmy asked, petting Rowena’s hand soothingly.

“He thinks Roddy killed him, too, and he’s so sweet, and so kind, fuck. If he ever found out it was me...”

Jimmy almost wanted to laugh, saying sweetly, “You’re afraid that Dario wouldn’t like you if he found out you, uh, killed someone?”

“Would you?” Rowena squeaked miserably.

“I mean. I know Rod has killed people. And I’m sort of, uhm, you know, still with him, and my moral compass has been a tad hazy, and I might be falling for him, which is super crazy, and, God,” Jimmy babbled away, trying to aim for comforting, saying more confidently, “I think love is blind. Okay? And I think when you love someone, you look over stuff. No matter how bad it is. And I know for a fact that Dario is freakin’ crazy about you.”

“Really?” Rowena’s big blue eyes were wide and hopeful.

“Really,” Jimmy confirmed with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Jimmy,” Rowena sobbed happily, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tight. “You’re such a good friend.”

“Oh, sure,” Jimmy laughed, wondering if it was possible for his life to get any crazier. “You know, anytime. So, just to make sure we’re on the same page, this actually does qualify as super-secret mob stuff?”

Rowena chuckled. “Yes, sweetie. This is super-secret mob stuff. Keep your lips zipped or it’s the fishes for you.”

“Got it.”

Rowena took a deep breath, straightening herself up and wiping off her face. She smirked slyly, teasing, “You know you totally admitted that you’re falling in love with my brother.”

Jimmy’s ears spontaneously caught on fire. “I-I did? I guess... I guess I did.”

“You guys doing okay?”

“Uh...” Jimmy thought about their little tiff this morning that had been preceded by some pretty incredibly passionate sex. “Two steps forward, half a step back?”

“Progress.”

“What about you? Are you gonna be okay?”

“Oh, sure, sweetie,” Rowena replied with a bright smile, her usual swagger trying to crawl back into place. “I’ll make it.”

“Without developing cirrhosis of the liver?” Jimmy challenged, gently prying the bottle away from her.

She pouted. “Maybe.”

“I think Dario may surprise you if you let him,” Jimmy said. “You know, just be honest with him. I think you guys could be really happy together.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Jimmy said, playfully bumping their shoulders together. “Worth a try, right?”

There was a tentative knock at the door, Jerry hesitantly poking his head inside, asking, “Everything all right now?”

“Oh, Jerry,” Rowena gushed tearfully, “I am so sorry I screamed at you and called you a frog cunt sucking whatever it was. And for throwing a bottle at you. And all that other stuff.”

Jerry smiled kindly, reassuring her, “Think nothing of it,mademoiselle.”

Rowena snatched the bottle back from Jimmy, smiling sweetly at Jerry. “You’re the best. Thank you for bringing Jimmy. I think we’re all gonna be okay now.”

“Of course,” Jerry replied, fidgeting expectantly. “Eh, Mr. Poe?”