“Yes, we will,” Cold insisted. “There will be a wedding, and you are going to be present.”
“What are you going to do?” Jimmy snapped. “Drag me down the aisle?”
Cold scowled.
“Perhaps if we could all settle on a theme?” Charlie offered helpfully. “A winter theme may be a little too cheeky considering your little nickname, Mr. Legrand, but perhaps something rustic? What do you think, Jimmy?”
“I really, really don’t care,” Jimmy groaned.
“Jimmy,” Cold warned, “I would appreciate it if you weren’t so rude in front of our guest.”
“Ohhhh, don’t you even start about manners with me!”
“What about something more traditional?” Charlie squeaked, trying to derail the conversation away from the argument that was growing. “Maybe a nice church service?”
“I want you topleasesit down and tell Charlie what you would like,” Cold said firmly. “There, I’m using manners now. Happy?”
“No,” Jimmy snapped. “You may be in charge in the freakin’ bedroom, but not here! Not like this!”
Charlie turned several shades of red while Cold’s expression hardened.
Before Cold could say anything in reply, Mickey Tamerlane came flying into the room. The usually sleek and stoic assassin was flustered, panting urgently, “Boss! They’re almost here!”
“Tamerlane, please see Charlie out before our guests arrive,” Cold ordered, grabbing Jimmy’s arm and dragging him back into the bedroom.
“Uh, thank you so much for your time?” Charlie called out hesitantly, and he squeaked as Tamerlane ran him out. “We’ll be in touch!”
“What the hell are you doing!” Jimmy snarled angrily, trying to pull his arm away from Cold. “Who’s here? Is it the feds?”
Cold actually looked stunned before realization dawned on him. He took a deep breath and sighed bitterly between clenched teeth. “Maury?”
“Who else? He’s the only person who ever freakin’ tells me what’s going on!” Jimmy snapped back.
“Listen to me very carefully.” Cold’s hands moved to grab Jimmy’s waist. “Whatever happens, do not be afraid. Everything is going to be fine. I want you to plan the wedding with Charlie and get everything ready—”
“Why are you talking like this?” Jimmy demanded, his anger rapidly extinguished by fear. He hugged Cold’s neck and clung to him tightly. “Rod, I love you. Fuck, I love you so damn much, but you have to tell me the truth!”
“You already know too much,” Cold said gently, sliding a hand to the back of Jimmy’s neck and holding firmly. “Please... trust me. Everything I am doing is to protect us. Never doubt the depth of my feelings for you.”
Jimmy jerked when the bedroom doors slammed open, Tamerlane on the other side and growling, “Boss! They’re here.”
Jules and Roger Lorre, another one of Cold’s Gentlemen and Tamerlane’s on-and-off-again beau, were right behind him.
“Hey!” Jules snarled angrily. “They’re fucking everywhere, Boss!”
“It’s fine.” Cold kept his arms tightly curled around Jimmy. “Is Thirdsies safe?”
“Yes,” Lorre replied. “Him and Valdemar are tucked away good.”
“Rod?” Jimmy asked urgently. “What the hell is happening?”
“Everything is going to be all right,” Cold promised.
“Rod, please—” Jimmy began to plead, the words lost in Cold’s mouth as Cold kissed him. He gasped at the passion behind the kiss and melted immediately. The whole world vanished away, and Jimmy was lost in those sweet lips. The hunger within threatened to devour him completely.
He was angry, he was scared, and he didn’t want the kiss to ever end. He couldn’t help a small moan when Cold squeezed his neck, the touch sending lightning down his spine and right to his dick. He didn’t understand Cold’s sudden urgency, as if he was trying to make every moment of the kiss count.
As if it was going to be their last.
