They were outnumbered, outgunned, and…
Cold was clapping.
Why the fuck was he clapping?
“What in the actual fuck is wrong with you?” Cristian demanded, echoing Mickey’s frantic thoughts. “I told you I have a fuckin’ snitch in your little gang and you’re fuckin’ clapping?”
“Yes,” Cold replied, a wicked snarl lighting up his face, “because I alreadyknew.”
Duncan’s head snapped up.
“What?” Cristian scoffed. “Bullshit.”
“Gentlemen, if you’d be so kind, go ahead and kill Cristian’s men, but please spare him and his lieutenant,” Cold ordered firmly.
The armed men surrounding them opened fire on the Luchesi crowd, and Mickey stared in shock as they dropped to the ground.
They were killing their own men.
On Cold’s command.
“What is the fucking meaning of this?” Cristian screamed, grabbing onto Stefano and trying to cower behind him. “You’re all dead! Traitors! Fucking bastard traitors, all of you!”
“Funny thing about loyalty,” Cold noted, his voice now a deep and very satisfied purr. “Did you know it can be bought? Especially when you haven’t been paying very well. I was quite shocked to discover how underpaid your men are. Good thing I hadplentyof spare cash to persuade them.”
The money from the restaurant, Mickey realized. That’s what Cold had been keeping it for all of this time. It was the backup plan for the fuckin’ plan.
“You son of a bitch!” Cristian roared and waved his fists angrily. “You fucking useless pussy ass fa—”
Cold was on him in a second, shoving Stefano out of his way and grabbing Cristian by his throat. He squeezed with enough force to make Cristian crumble to his knees, growling, “That is the last time you insult me.”
Cristian gurgled, weakly clawing at Cold’s tight grip.
“This city is mine,” Cold snarled. “All of it. You and your family are done. I own everything. Your men, your money, your drugs. You have no power left here. I want you to remember this moment, when you thought you had won, and how I took it all away from you… Me, Roderick Legrand. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Cristian managed to gasp.
“I am going to let go of you now,” Cold went on, slowly loosening his hold and lowering his voice, “and then you’re going—”
“If you kill me, my brothers will fucking come after you!” Cristian wheezed the second he could speak. “All of you! They’ll make sure you all fucking pay for this!”
“I’m not going to kill you,” Cold said dryly. He took a few steps back and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe off his hand as if Cristian had been slimy. “I meant what I said about this evening’s meeting being peaceful. You’re my peace offering to your brothers. I’m sparing your life in exchange for the war to end.”
“What?” Cristian didn’t seem like he could quite believe it. “You’re… you’re letting me go?”
“Yes. Join your brothers in Perry City.” Cold smirked. “I wouldn’t suggest returning here. I might have to come up with some more ‘fancy plans’ to deal with you.” He carefully tucked his handkerchief back into his pocket and waved for some of the men to take Cristian and Stefano away.
“This isn’t over!” Cristian protested, screaming at Cold even as he was dragged off. “We’ll be back! You stupid slick son of a bitch! We’ll come back!”
“I know,” Cold said quietly, a playful smile curling his lips. “One day.”
Mickey watched them leave in stunned silence. He knew Cold was clever, but this was incredible. All of these months of waiting and planning had finally come to full fruition, and it was beautiful to behold.
The war was over.
The city was theirs.
They’d won.
