Jimmy looked up from his plate, glaring indignantly.
They had worked out some of Jimmy’s frustrations with another passionate round of rough play, but he still wasn’t happy about Cold’s deception. He knew there were many things that Cold kept from him because of their very illegal nature, but this wasn’t business.
It was their relationship. This was about their future together, and Jimmy wasn’t going to forgive him so easily for messing with it behind his back, no matter how good his intentions supposedly were.
“The wedding planner for the wedding I still haven’t agreed to?” Jimmy snapped grumpily and set his fork down. He didn’t have much of an appetite now, and his lunch was forgotten.
“Yes,” Cold bit out.
“You do realize how many laws you broke forging a marriage certificate?”
“I have the distinct feeling you’re about to tell me, my little lawyer,” Cold sighed, pushing his plate away. Apparently, he wasn’t very hungry either.
“I don’t understand why you can’t tell me what’s going on,” Jimmy pushed. “Don’t you dare say it’s for my protection—”
“It is,” Cold cut in sternly.
“That’s bullshit and you know it!”
“Jimmy,” Cold began, his voice eerily calm, “everything I do is for a reason. Never forget that. Things have been put in motion that are out of my control, and I am doing all I can to protect what’s mine. Above all else, that means you.”
“What’s happened?” Jimmy narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Is this about Dickie?”
“No,” Cold answered after a long moment.
“What is it then? The Luchesis again?”
“No.”
“Is that all you’re going to say?” Jimmy threw up his hands in frustration.
Cold pursed his lips thoughtfully before finally replying, “Yes.”
“You can’t freakin’ be serious right now,” Jimmy groaned.
“Oh, but I am.” Cold leaned across the table. “If anything happens to me, I have to make sure that you’re taken care of.”
That gave Jimmy pause, and he frowned as his heart clenched uncomfortably. “What do you mean? Rod, are you...” He swallowed nervously. “Are you in trouble?”
“Not yet,” Cold replied carefully. He reached for Jimmy’s hand. “There is no need for you to be involved—”
“Ha! You didn’t even involve me in our own marriage! Why would you ever involve me in anything at all?” Jimmy scoffed and jerked his hand away. He stood up abruptly, pointing a defiant finger as he warned, “I’m going out, and don’t you dare try to stop me this time.”
Cold did not look impressed by his declaration. “Where are you going?”
“Out!” Jimmy said, marching out of the dining room with his head held high.
“Jerry!” Cold called out.
“Oui, monsieur?” Jerry replied politely, appearing in the doorway from the kitchen.
“Make sure he’s back by four o’clock!”
“No! I don’t need Jerry. I can drive myself.” Jimmy argued, huffing his way to the front door. He walked as fast as he could, determined to escape alone. He groaned when he saw Jerry was magically already waiting for him. “How?”
“I have my ways,monsieur,” Jerry replied mysteriously. He smiled and opened the door for him. “Shall we?”
Having officially accepted Cold’s offer of a prisoners’ advocate position earlier this year, his father, David, would be busy working today. He’d also since gotten his own apartment and wouldn’t be home until later that evening. There was only one other person Jimmy could think of to seek refuge with.
