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“Yeah. Yeah, I guess we do.”

They had the whole afternoon together, and he spent the next few hours catching David up on the incredible adventures he’d been having with Cold. He tried to make sure he only told stories that highlighted his boyfriend’s kindness and not the darker side of him.

Letting Rowena take him shopping? Good.

Cutting off Corman’s finger? Bad.

Through it all, David was cheerful but quiet. He seemed to be reserving judgment, and for that Jimmy was grateful. When the discussion shifted back to the case of his mother’s murder and Augustus’ treachery, Jimmy watched the joy bleed right out of his father’s face.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Jimmy insisted as he hugged him close again. “We’re going to get you out of here. Augustus is in a corner. He has to help us or Cold will make sure he’s right in here with you.”

“And to think,” David said quietly, “all of this time, Augustus has probably been terrified for Anna.”

“What?”

“All these years, probably still afraid the Luchesis would one day come after him and tie up loose ends,” David went on. “That they might try to hurt his daughter. No wonder he sent her so far away for college. He wanted her to be safe.”

“That still doesn’t make it right,” Jimmy protested. “That phone call—”

“Son, I’m not saying what Augustus did was right. Not at all. I’m angry. I am deeply angry and hurt that Augustus did something like that. But.” David held up his hand. “As a father who would do anything for their child and let the world burn to save them? I understand.”

Jimmy was humbled by his father’s kind heart. His shoulders sagged. “I guess.”

“Hey, if you ever have kids, you’ll understand.” David chuckled. “Now, I’m not saying that me and Augustus are gonna go have a cup of coffee if Cold can actually get me out of here. I’m more likely to punch him right in the mouth. But, hey, I get it.”

“I love you, Dad.” Jimmy gave him another hug. He couldn’t get enough of them. “You are too good for this world.”

“Love you too. And you know, not that I haven’t been having a great time, but uh, what time did you need to be gettin’ ready?”

“Uh, I gotta be at the club by five?” Jimmy looked around for a clock, and then he squeaked when he saw it was three-thirty. “Holy crap! We’ve been talking for, like, four hours!”

“Good conversation makes the time fly by?” David suggested, squeezing Jimmy’s shoulder. “Be sure to tell your boyfriend thank you for me. Visiting like this, no time limit? Definitely took some string pulling.”

“He can be very persuasive.” Jimmy blushed and stood up, pulling David with him to hug him one more time. “God, this feels so good. I’ve missed you so damn much, Dad.”

“I’ve missed you too, slugger. I love you. So very much. I’m proud of you, always have been.”

“I’ll get you out as soon as I can.”

“Love you.” David kissed Jimmy’s hair lovingly before letting him go with a sad smile. He knocked on the door to let the guards know they were ready.

“Love you too,” Jimmy replied, beaming when the guard came to lead him out. He didn’t understand why his father seemed upset at the end when this day had been fantastic. Maybe he just didn’t want to get his hopes up about being freed, but Jimmy was absolutely floating. He wished he could bottle up this feeling and hang on to it forever.

Jimmy definitely had some ideas on how to show Cold how grateful he was, but first he had to get ready for the party. He found Jerry snoozing in the driver’s seat of the limo. He lightly tapped the glass and waved.

Sleepily rolling down the window with a kind smile, Jerry asked, “Good visit, monsieur?”

“Awesome visit. A little too awesome because now I think we might be running a little tiny bit late.”

Jerry sat up immediately. He leaned over to open the passenger-side door. “Not on my watch, monsieur. Get in and strap in.”

Jimmy obeyed, barely clicking his seat belt into place before Jerry took off, tires squealing. Jimmy nearly puked once or twice, and he was pretty certain he had whiplash when they pulled in front of the hotel.

“Run like the wind, monsieur!” Jerry ordered, shooing Jimmy out of the limo.

Jimmy bolted to the elevator, panting on the ride up, then hurried into the hotel room, stripping as he stumbled to the closet to grab the red suit he knew Cold liked so much. He was still buttoning his shirt when he left, racing to the elevator and then pounding at the button impatiently.

He couldn’t wait any longer, and he groaned as he opted to take the stairs. Skipping down them two at a time, Jimmy was full-on gasping by the time he stumbled back into the passenger seat beside Jerry. He grinned breathlessly, wheezing, “Okay! Ready!”