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He must have looked a fright because Jerry stared at him in bewilderment. “We will fix you at the club.”

Jerry drove them over at less whiplash-inducing speeds, though the tires complained a bit when he parked. He ran around to intercept Jimmy as he climbed out and instructed him to hold still.

Jimmy froze as Jerry expertly adjusted his shirt and jacket, fixing his tie and hair. He gave him an approving nod. “Ah, la perfection. Now go!”

“Thank you. Thank you so much! You’re really the best, Jerry!”

“Eh, I know.” Jerry shrugged as he followed Jimmy inside. “It’s a burden I have to bear.”

The club was freshly cleaned and there were huge arrangements of calla lilies on every table. Rowena was directing staff everywhere, barking orders like a drill sergeant.

“Make sure all of those flowers are perfect! I want the front tables pushed together. The whole family is sitting there!” Rowena snapped. “Please, pretty please make sure those bottles of champagne are chilled and ready to go or I will scream!”

“Hey, Rowena!”

Rowena whirled around to face him, glancing at her watch and grinning as she said, “Ah! Right on time!”

“Is, uh, Cold here yet?” Jimmy asked nervously.

“In the office with, ahem, Detective Duplin,” she replied, dropping her voice down to imitate her brother’s tone when she said Augustus’ name. “Go on up, and when they’re done with you? Come see me.”

Giving a quick salute, Jimmy headed up the stairs to the office. Out of habit now, he knocked.

“Come in,” Cold said.

Jimmy stepped inside, finding Cold seated at the desk with Augustus standing in front of him, arms crossed and glaring.

“Hey,” Jimmy squeaked.

The tension was heavy and palpable.

“It’s time,” Cold said briskly, all business as he nodded at Augustus.

Augustus approached, at least saying a quick hello before he held out a small black disc. “This is it. We’ll just tuck this in your jacket pocket, okay? I’ll be able to hear everything in about twenty minutes, so, you know, keep it clean.”

“R-right.” Jimmy fidgeted as Augustus fixed the device inside of his inner jacket pocket. It didn’t look like much despite its importance.

“I don’t suggest listening in for the next ten minutes or so unless you’d like to hear a private performance from Jimmy,” Cold taunted. “He really has quite a voice.”

Augustus stared Cold down while Jimmy flushed, saying flatly, “I’ll be waiting for you. Good luck. To both of you.”

“Can’t wait.” Cold gave Augustus a nasty smile. He watched him leave the office without another word, though he visibly relaxed as he rose up to properly greet Jimmy.

As Cold pulled him close for a tender kiss, Jimmy’s entire body became pudding in his strong embrace. “Mmm. Hi.”

“Hi.” Cold chuckled, his thumb tracing Jimmy’s jaw. “I trust you had a good visit with your father?”

“Amazing, thank you. It was an awesome surprise. We had a really good time. He was so happy, and he told me to tell you thank you too. Thank you so much for setting that up.”

Cold shrugged. “It was nothing.”

“Seriously.” Jimmy leaned in to kiss Cold’s cheek. “It meant a lot to me. It was so sweet. Thank you.”

For a brief moment, Jimmy could have believed he saw Cold blushing. The gangster ran his fingers through Jimmy’s hair as he noted, “Almost showtime.”

“What do I need to do?”

He was wearing a wire now, and he was stupidly excited as he was now starring in his very own crime drama.