Chapter Twenty
“All charges dismissed!”
The court became a wild arena the moment Judge Del Rio’s gavel came down with her fateful verdict.
With a single crack of her gavel, Del Rio had freed Boss Cold and cleared him of first degree murder charges. All of Cold’s scheming, murder, and blackmail had brought them absolute victory.
Jimmy didn’t care who was watching when he launched himself into Cold’s arms for a passionate kiss.
This was it. It was over. Cold was free.
Cold allowed the kiss, but he gently pulled away after a few seconds. Too many cameras were flashing all around them, and Cold did like his privacy.
“Sorry,” Jimmy murmured sheepishly.
“Ten hours,” Cold reminded him with a wink.
Jimmy’s face instantly flushed.
Cold smirked and gave the back of Jimmy’s neck a meaningful squeeze before getting settled back in his seat.
“Also, in light of the evidence that Mr. Blalock has provided,” Del Rio went on as she sized up the prosecution table, “I’m expecting a full and swift investigation at the federal level into the recent activities of Mr. Champignon.”
Champignon was standing in the crowd, and he seemed to shrink when Del Rio’s steel gaze found him.
“Many of our good citizens died in that terrible fire at the Wynne Hotel, and I promise that I will not rest until you can be cleared of responsibility or convicted for it,” she warned. “That is all. Court is adjourned!”
Another bang of her gavel sounded, and Jimmy had to resist the urge to pump his fist into the air. The crowd was clapping and cheering excitedly, and the noise rose to a dull roar despite repeated smacks of Del Rio’s gavel.
Boss Cold had been completely cleared of all charges, the Luchesi family was in ruins, and the FBI had a nasty internal investigation ahead of them.
It seemed so simple, so easy, and yet Jimmy still felt a strange sense of unease.
It didn’t actually feel like it was over.
He pushed the feeling aside, admiring the way Cold beamed down at his bare ankle as the monitor was removed. He watched Cold meticulously pull his sock back into place and sigh in obvious relief.
“Better?” Jimmy teased, looping his arm in Cold’s as they began to leave the courtroom.
“Yes,” Cold said with a smug little smile. “I’ll be even better in nine hours and forty-six minutes, Mr. Poe. I hope your smart mouth has been worth it.”
Jimmy flushed anew, and he reached up to adjust his tie.
Jules appeared from around the corner to pull Cold into a fond embrace as he exclaimed, “You did it, you slick son of a bitch!”
“If you ever scare me like this again, I’ll kick your ass!” Rowena’s voice chimed in as she joined them, hugging her brother close. “I still might!”
Cold allowed all of the affection with minimal eye rolling, smirking as he teased, “You may want to wait until there aren’t so many witnesses.”
“Asshole,” Rowena muttered affectionately, straightening out Cold’s collar where it had become minutely disheveled from their hug.
Jimmy grunted when he found himself being dragged next into Jules’ crushing hold, wheezing, “Jules, hey, hi, need to breathe.”
“Knew you could do it, Little Boss,” Jules said with a grin, finally releasing Jimmy and smacking his back. “You did us fuckin’ proud, too.”
The playful blow made Jimmy lurch forward, and he was grateful for Cold’s quick arm around his waist to steady him. “Y-yeah, no problem! I didn’t really help much, but, uh, anything for Rod, you know?”
Leaning in to kiss Jimmy’s cheek, Rowena had a sparkle of mischief in her eye. “Mm, you officially survived your first murder trial. Not too bad being a mafia boyfriend, huh?”
