As soon as they stepped into the hotel lobby, the air tensed.
Everyone here, employees and guests alike, knew who they were.
It was… a rush.
Most of them turned their heads and scrambled to get out of the way. They immediately parted to make a path as the Gentlemen came through. Anyone who did meet Mickey’s gaze looked in the other direction.
The hotel concierge met them personally in the lobby, shook Cold’s hand, and made sure it was known that the resources of the hotel were totally at their disposal.
Cold thanked him and headed to the elevator, Mickey and Jerry at his side. Roger was behind them, pushing Crybaby with Pym bringing up the rear. Rufus and Jules were waiting for them at the elevator doors, both of them dressed in slick suits.
Mickey still thought it was weird to see Jules in a suit and not some novelty t-shirt.
“Hello, Boss Cold,” Rufus greeted cordially. “The others are waiting for you upstairs.”
“Excellent,” Cold said. “Let’s go.”
Jules punched the button for the elevator.
Mickey noticed a woman edging toward Cold, and she was wearing a hotel uniform. Maybe a maid or a waitress of some kind. She was looking right at Cold, and she seemed nervous.
“Back up,” Mickey snapped as he stepped in between them.
“I need to speak to him,” the woman said. “Please!”
“Yeah, no, he doesn’t have time for you today.”
“But I need to talk to him!” She was shaking like a leaf but determined. “Mr. Frost! Please. Just a moment of your time, sir.”
Mickey frowned, and he looked back to Cold for instruction.
“Yes?” Cold eyed her warily, but he relaxed when he read her name tag. “Miss Lola. Ah. Yes, hello. How are you?”
“I wanted to thank you. Personally. For this job.” Lola stayed where she was, but she was beaming at Cold now. “You didn’t have to help me, but you did. I just, I just wanted to thank you. You changed my life, sir.”
The elevator doors opened, and Jules threw up his arm to hold it.
“It was my pleasure.” Cold bowed his head politely. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, Miss Lola.”
“Right, sir! Of course!” She smiled, wringing her hands. “I’ll be here for anything you need. Ever. I’ll make sure it’s perfect for you, sir. I swear! Anything at all!”
“I value punctuality, Miss Lola,” Cold said firmly. “I have an important meeting to attend, and I prefer to be on time. So, please, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Yes, sir!” Lola began backing away. “Thank you! Bless you and all your Gentlemen!”
Cold stepped into the elevator, and the others followed.
“Look at you, Boss.” Jules chuckled. “Makin’ new friends.”
“One can never have too many friends,” Cold said. “You never know when you might need one.”
Up they went to the top floor and to the penthouse suite. Rufus opened the door and held it for everyone to filter inside.
The room was bigger than Mickey’s apartment, and it was exceptionally lush. There was an office area, a lounge with a bar, and a kingly bedroom. The lounge had a large round sectional couch and two chairs, and Valdemar was perched in the middle on the floor beside a small coffee table. Thirdsies was nowhere to be seen.
“Hello, comrades!” Valdemar waved. “Lovely to see you all!”
“Everyone make yourselves comfortable.” Cold took one of the chairs, and Rufus sat in the other.
