“That’s mafiahusbandnow.” Jimmy blushed as he corrected her, leaning into Cold’s side.
Rowena laughed at that while Cold rolled his eyes again.
Champignon came stalking up from behind them, his presence stealing away their joy as he hissed angrily at Cold, “I don’t know how the hell you did this, but you’re going to pay dearly—!”
Cold regarded Champignon with all the concern of someone looking down at a tiny ant biting their toe. “Mm, my apologies, Mr. Champignon, but I simply do not have time for you today. Perhaps you should be more concerned with your own legal troubles.”
“I’m going to beat those bullshit charges, and when I do? I’m coming for you!” Champignon was seething. “You’re done!”
“I’m sorry,” Cold drawled. “Were you saying something? I was a bit distracted. Terribly busy. What with celebrating my freedom, planning my wedding...”
Champignon whirled on Jimmy, snarling furiously, “Right. The wedding. You know, it’s still not too late for you to cooperate, Mr. Poe. I can help you! You don’t want to get swept up into his bullshit, do you? He may have gotten away with it this time, but his luck can’t last forever!”
Jimmy took a deep breath, smiling calmly as he replied, “Mr. Champignon, please leave us alone before I have you arrested for threatening my husband.”
Champignon’s face fell.
“If you’re going to do it,” Jimmy went on with his head held high, glancing at Cold with a sly smile, “you better make sure there aren’t any witnesses.”
Champignon became flustered but said nothing, watching them leave with unbridled contempt.
“That’s my good boy,” Cold purred softly so only Jimmy could hear him. He chuckled to himself as he led Jimmy into the lobby, Rowena and Jules following behind.
The rest of the Gentlemen were waiting there for them, cheering and clapping excitedly. Francis Valdemar and Thirdsies were by far the loudest while Tamerlane only offered a respectful nod though he looked quite happy.
Jerry and Lorre were at the doors, ready to swing them open and push back the crowd that was gathered outside. It was a cluster of reporters and onlookers, all of them clamoring for a comment or a photograph.
The Gentlemen went out first to part the crowd of people, Jerry rushing ahead to open the door of the limo he’d parked illegally on the sidewalk.
Cold briskly swept Jimmy inside the limo before sitting beside him, shifting ever so slightly to allow Rowena to slink in.
“We’ll meet you back at the house,” Jules said, tipping his head with a grin. “We got some partying to do!”
“Planning,” Cold firmly corrected.
“That, too.”
Jerry turned up his nose at Jules and promptly shut the door.
“Planning?” Jimmy asked suspiciously.
“Yes,” Cold said simply, taking Jimmy’s hand and kissing it.
“Wedding planning or sneaky gay mafia planning?” Rowena asked with a quirk of her brows.
“Planning that doesn’t involve either one of you,” Cold informed them curtly. “I have business to attend to and so do you, Jimmy.”
“What business?” Jimmy demanded.
“There is a small matter of a special shopping trip that requires your attention,” Cold explained. “One last item that is required for the wedding.”
“Shopping?” Rowena’s ears immediately perked up.
“Your ring,” Jimmy said quietly, remembering the previous conversation with a sweet smile. He suddenly narrowed his eyes as he accused, “Ha! You’re just trying to distract me from whatever you’re up to with a shopping trip!”
“Yes.” Cold didn’t even try to look ashamed.
“You just got cleared on freakin’ murder charges!” Jimmy groaned. “What else could you possibly be up to?”
