“I know it does,” Jimmy smiled gently, “and I don’t plan on anything happening to me.”
“What you plan and what actually fuckin’ happens is rarely the same thing, kid,” Maury laughed bitterly.
Jimmy stuck out his tongue. “Yeah, yeah. Look, will you please put that money in my dad’s account for me?”
“You got it. And I’ll shove the rest in a mattress for you. Just don’t make me spend it on a funeral, you fuckin’ hear?”
“Is it really... that bad?”
Maury gave him an incredulous stare. “Kid. It’s really not good. Cops are all nervous with the Luchesis back in town, the Gentlemen are all over the place trying to maintain control. Cold is makin’ sure no one starts a war, but if the Luchesis keep pokin’ at him... they’re gonna get one.”
Jimmy frowned softly, his concern immediately going out for Cold.
Rod, he thought to himself. He was worried about Rod.
“Take care of yourself,” Maury said, glancing toward the door. “Jules’ waitin’ on you.”
Jimmy looked back to see a very impatient-looking Jules waving at him. “Okay, I’m going, and yes, I promise I will be super careful,” he reassured his friend. “I will not get caught up in any gang wars.”
“I’ll remember you said that,” Maury snorted. “See ya round, kid.”
Jimmy said farewell and rejoined Jules at the car. Jules didn’t say much, turning up the radio as they drove. He made a few stops, always instructing Jimmy to stay put while he went inside.
A barber shop, law office, liquor store, gas station.
Jimmy spent his time flipping through his phone, looking up music. He was trying to get some inspiration for what he might perform for Cold’s birthday.
By the time Jules returned from the last errand, it was already close to noon. “Time to get to work, Twig.”
Jimmy nodded, staring out the window as they drove to the club. He was surprised to see a flock of giant suited men as they pulled up, a few of which he recognized from the hotel. Jules guided Jimmy inside, Dario already up on stage by his piano waiting for him.
Jimmy blushed all over when he remembered all the things he had done on that piano.
“Hey!” Dario greeted cheerfully, waving, blissfully ignorant of what debauchery had occurred right where he was sitting. He frowned when he saw Jules following Jimmy and quirked his brows at all the suits in tow. “What’s going on?”
“Everything’s fine,” Jules rumbled, sitting down at a table close to the stage. The other men scattered around the club, all taking various defensive positions. “Totally fine.”
“Uh, no,” Dario said with a frown. “The last time I saw this many goons? You were getting somebody ready for a wooden onesie. Is it the Luchesis?”
“Hearin’ things?” Jules asked casually, still not answering Dario’s question.
“Just that the Luchesis are back, wanting to make a move against Cold,” Dario replied, lightly tapping one of the piano’s keys. “They figure he’s gonna go down for killing Dickie, and the Gentlemen won’t be able to hang on without him.”
“Huh,” was all Jules said. “That so?”
Dario looked annoyed at not having any of his information confirmed, sighing and looking over at Jimmy. “Rowena tells me we have a big ol’ birthday party to get ready for?”
“Yes!” Jimmy replied, clapping his hands together. “I’m gonna be singing with you guys like twice a week now, so I know I have a ton to learn—”
“Hey, hey,” Dario reassured him, “you’ll be fine. You’re a super quick study, and I can totally send you some of the music to work on at home.” He cracked his knuckles, racing his fingers over the keys. “What I wanna hear about now is what you’re planning on doing to make Cold’s birthday an event to remember.”
“Well,” Jimmy grinned, scratching the back of his head. “Actually, I do maybe have a few ideas.”
“Cool! C’mon, Buckaroo. Let’s see what you got cookin”.
The next few hours were spent rehearsing Jimmy’s songs that he had picked out for the party. A few Dario made faces at and nixed immediately, but one or two he was excited about reworking for the show.
They had almost completed the set list, and both Dario and Jimmy were pretty proud of the final number they had come up with, leaving Dario grinning from ear to ear as they finished.
