“Ow!” Jimmy laughed harder. “I’m sorry! I’m not trying to make light of the terrible burden you’ve had to suffer—”
“Cheeky little brat,” Cold snarled playfully. “Don’t think for a moment that I’ll forget about this.”
“Oh?” Jimmy grinned. “Gonna plan something special for me?”
“Once I get this monstrous contraption off, yes,” Cold promised. “I already have something very unique in mind. As soon as Judge Del Rio makes her ruling, that will signal the countdown to your punishment.”
“Countdown?” Jimmy bit his lip. He could feel a wave of heat flashing over his face, and he swallowed thickly.
“Mmhmm,” Cold hummed coyly. “Ten hours, and then you’re all mine.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“Because I know everything.”
Jimmy decided not to make any mention of onions, saying instead, “You’re being ridiculous.”
“We’ll see who looks ridiculous tomorrow night,” Cold teased.
“You’re really that confident in your plan that your charges are getting dismissed tomorrow?” Jimmy pressed, reaching down to adjust himself. “Confident enough to make threats?”
“Confident enough to make a promise that ten hours after court tomorrow, you’ll severely regret making light of my discomfort.”
“We’ll see about that,” Jimmy huffed.
All joking aside, Jimmy hoped Cold was right.
When they went to bed that night, if Jimmy held onto Cold a bit tighter than usual, it was only because he could still feel a tickle of fear in the back of his mind.
As if sensing his apprehension, Cold turned to kiss Jimmy’s brow. “Trust me.”
Jimmy murmured softly in reply and cuddled closer.
Everything had come down to this. After decades of precise and calculated planning, the course for the rest of their lives was going to be decided in the morning.
Come what may, he had to trust Cold.
