“I heard yelling. I got scared.” She clung to his neck. “I thought it was Daddy.”
“No, he’s not here,” Cold soothed. “You’re safe, I promise.”
“Pinkie promise?” she whimpered, sticking up her hand.
“Of course.” Cold linked their pinkies together and kissed her hair. “We’re both safe, Ro. He can’t hurt us ever again.”
“Okay.” She sniffled.
“Let’s get you back to bed,” Alistair urged gently, coming up to them and offering to take Rowena from Cold. “Come along, Ro-bow.”
“Here, go with Uncle Ally,” Cold said as he passed her over. “Let him tuck you back in.”
“Hey!” Rowena was instantly defiant. “But I wanna know what’s going on!”
“Bedtime,” Cold said firmly.
“This is bullshit! You get to stay up late!”
“Language,” Cold scolded. “I get to stay up late because I’m a grown-up.”
“That’s not fair! I am very grown-up! I can make my own popcorn!”
“We can talk about this later, Ro-bow.” Alistair started up the stairs, patting her hair. “Come on. Back to bed.”
“Still bullshit,” she mumbled. “Good night, jerk-face.”
“Good night.” Cold watched them for a moment before turning back to Mickey and the others. He grimaced. “My apologies. That was my little sister.”
“I got a brother that age,” Roger said with a small smile. “Stubborn little monsters.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” Cold chuffed, shaking his head. He sighed and came back to his chair. Picking up his glass from the floor, he took a long drink and checked his phone. “You’ll all be staying here tonight. Jules is on his way. He’s stopping to pick up Pym.”
“Are we gonna have a slumber party?” Roger joked, though it was clear his heart wasn’t in it.
“No.” Cold smirked. “Though you and Mickey are welcome to share the guest room upstairs.”
Mickey flinched.
Were they really that obvious?
“Thanks, Boss,” Roger said graciously. “We appreciate it.”
“What about…” Mickey glanced at Jerry.
“I’ll take the couch.” Jerry smiled politely. “It is no problem.”
“And Jules? Pym?”
“Jules will probably sleep in his car.” Cold snorted. “There’s another sofa downstairs in the basement. It will be fine. Just go.” He sipped his drink. “Rest. You’re going to need it. Luigi may be retreating, but we’re now at war with both Cristian and Matteo Luchesi. Yes, it was a war I expected, but not quite so soon.”
“We’re ready, Boss.”
“The plan remains unchanged,” Cold went on. “We’re going to get the murder weapon that we need, we’re going to continue pulling away the family’s resources, and wewillkill Salvatore Luchesi. That I promise you.”
“Thanks, Boss,” Roger said quietly. “I appreciate that.”
“Go on.” Cold waved his hand. “Guest room is upstairs, down the hall, first door on the right.”
