Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

Trev did his best to prepare himself for what he suspected would be another snooty meal at the table. He hadn't made it to the entrée all week, having opted to leave early because he could only stand Cold's company but for so long.

Tonight would not likely be any different.

In fact, it would almost certainly be worse considering how he and Cold had left things earlier.

Jupiter might have had the magical people skills to kiss ass and keep quiet for days at a time, but Trev…

Trev did not.

As calculating and patient as Trev prided himself to be, he had limits. He could not let any potential benefit of playing nice outweigh how much he'd grown to loathe Cold and this entire situation. Just thinking about it made him sick with rage, and he was close to refusing to come down for dinner entirely.

Jupiter's gentle smile won him over, but Trev warned him that he would not be staying past the appetizers. Jupiter accepted that and when it was time, they headed downstairs with Mickey trailing behind them.

"Are you all right?" Jupiter squeezed Trev's hand.

"I'm fine." Trev forced a fake smile. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"We're almost there," Jupiter soothed. "Tomorrow, right? And then we're?—"

"It had better be fucking tomorrow or I am going to burn this place to the ground."

Mickey cleared his throat.

"Oh, eat my fucking hole, Fester." Trev groaned. "If I was actually going to set anything on fucking fire, I wouldn't be stupid enough to say it in front of you."

Jupiter squeezed Trev's hand a little tighter. "With some luck, this will probably be our last meal here, okay?"

"Last meal?" Trev hissed. "Oof, not a great choice of words."

"Right. Our final… munch? Hindmost sustenance?"

"Oh my God, stop."

"Closing noms."

Trev laughed. "Okay, that one was funny."

Jupiter smiled triumphantly.

Trev decided to let Jupiter enjoy the levity, however brief it might be, and he paused just outside the dining room to kiss him. "Just for that, I'm gonna ride your dick later."

"Insatiable little thing." Jupiter laughed. "Did you not get enough today?"

"Nope." Trev kissed him again, flinching when something soft hit his head. "The fuck?"

Rowena stood there in a blue shark onesie complete with hood and fin feet, saying, "Come on, fuckers! Go get changed!"

Trev scrambled to make sense of what Rowena had apparently thrown at him. It was neon rainbow and very fuzzy. "What is this?"

"Your pajamas!" Jimmy poked his head out, revealing he was wearing some sort of blue monster onesie with floppy ears.

"What the hell are you?"

Jimmy pouted. "I'm Stitch."

Trev had no idea what that was, frowning as he held out the lump of fabric. "And I'm what…? A hem?"

"A motherfucking unicorn!" Rowena cheered. "Gorgeous, fabulous, and stabby."

"That sums you up pretty well, baby doll." Jupiter chuckled.

"Here." Rowena threw another blob of fabric at Jupiter. "Meow, bitch."

Jupiter blinked.

"You're a kitty!" Jimmy grinned, but then his face fell. "Sorry if you're not, like, a cat person. There weren't a lot of options in your size."

Trev waved the onesie. "And we have these because?"

"Because this might be your last night with us since somebody said you wanted to leave tomorrow." Rowena crossed her arms. "So, we decided to do something awesome."

Mickey snorted.

Rowena flipped him off. "Roddy is busy, so! He left me and Jimmy in charge of dinner. I gave Jerry the night off and we're gonna order a shit ton of Chinese food, drink margaritas, and watch Mean Girls the musical."

As curious as Trev was about a musical rendition of his new favorite movie, he didn't miss that Cold was busy .

Busy with what?

"And what is dear Roddy up to?" Trev asked casually. "Crying in a corner because they didn't have any pajamas that would make him look like a giant turd?"

"Okay, but they actually do have pajamas that look like the poop emoji." Jimmy giggled.

"Oh my God, of course they do."

Rowena shooed Trev and Jupiter back down the hallway. "Go on! Juicy is getting changed too, so put your shit on and come back downstairs."

Trev didn't move. "Where's Cold?"

"Working," Rowena replied casually.

"This late?" Trev asked with feigned concern. "Wow, his boss must be a real dick! Oh wait, he is the boss. And he's a dick."

Jimmy huffed a little. "He's getting everything ready for tomorrow, okay?" His brow furrowed. "And before you ask, no, I don't know what he's doing. Not exactly. I just know that he said he had to take care of some stuff and left with Jules."

"And you're okay with that? With him going off to do God knows what with fucking Bigfoot?"

Jimmy smiled. "Yeah. I am."

"You're nuts."

"You learn to roll with a lot of stuff when you're a mafia husband." Jimmy chuckled. "I trust him."

"I don't." Trev glared at the pajamas.

Rowena squeezed Trev's shoulder. "Hey, it's not something that's gonna happen overnight. Or maybe even ever."

Trev frowned. "You're not going to try and convince me he's perfect and so very trustworthy?"

Jimmy laughed. "Oh, he's far from perfect. Trustworthy, yes. But that took time. And fighting. And then more fighting." He scratched the back of his neck. "Look, what I'm trying to say… uh…"

"What Jimmy is trying to say is that every relationship is different," Rowena cut in gently. "You and Roddy may never get along and that's okay. But I do think once all that crap tomorrow is over, it'll be a lot easier to rent some of this happy gangster family stuff. Maybe even try it on for a while." She smiled. "Or at least come back and visit us, yeah?"

"Yeah. Maybe." Trev frowned.

He honestly didn't know what to say.

Beyond running away to a tropical climate, Trev hadn't thought much about his future. It was strange to consider one with people who genuinely wanted to see him again.

Especially when it wasn't for sex.

It felt like a trick and immediately put Trev on guard, but he couldn't say why.

Jupiter wrapped his arm around Trev's waist. "Thank you, Rowena. Jimmy."

"Yeah, yeah, thanks." Trev waved the pajamas. "We'll go get changed. Be right back."

"Hurry up!" Rowena laughed. "Or we'll start the movie without you!"

"Don't you dare."

Trev managed a little smile, but he was quiet as he and Jupiter headed back upstairs. Mickey was silent as always, though he did sneer a little when Trev shut the bedroom door behind them.

"You okay?" Jupiter asked as they got undressed.

"Huh?"

"You haven't cursed in over a full minute." Jupiter smiled gently. "Either something is wrong or the power of the unicorn onesie has distracted you."

Trev snorted as he zipped up the front of the pajamas. "Can't lie. This is pretty damn comfy."

"So?"

"Just got into my head a little bit. Nothing to worry about."

Jupiter raised a brow. "Said like I have something to worry about."

"It's fine."

"Now I know something's up." Jupiter reached for Trev's hand. "We might not have known each other for that long, but I'd still like to think I know you very well."

"Congratulations on knowing how to hit my prostate in two positions."

" Three , and no, not that. I know when you're holding back." Jupiter clicked his tongue. "You and your beautiful brain don't like this, do you?"

"No, we do not. It's stupid. This is all fucking stupid. I'm supposed to blindly follow Cold to his murder lunch tomorrow with no idea what's really happening, but instead of planning or doing any kind of strategizing, I'm going to a slumber party ."

"We'll figure it out," Jupiter soothed. "I can try to talk to Cold later, see if he's willing to tell me anything."

"Right, 'cause you guys have been bonding so hard over fancy food or whatever." Trev rolled his eyes hard. "Might wanna wipe off your beard. I think you've got some of Cold's jizz drying there. Ah, yup, right there by your mouth."

Jupiter only smiled. "You really don't make it easy to take care of you, baby doll."

"Fuck you. I don't need you to take care of me." Trev scoffed. "I can handle this myself. I'm getting us out of here, aren't I?"

"Yes." Jupiter kissed Trev's forehead. "You are an absolute badass, no argument there, but I can still worry."

"The only thing I need you to worry about is helping me figure out how to pee in this thing. I guess you just unzip it all the way down, right? 'Cause there's no, like, flap or anything."

"And there you go, deflecting because you don't want to admit how much not being in control is upsetting you."

"I am in control." Trev gritted his teeth. "I just don't have all the information I want right now to be fully prepared. There's a difference."

"Uh-huh."

"Shut up and put on your jammies."

"Uh-uh. Come here." Jupiter snagged Trev's collar, gently but firmly drawing him into a kiss.

It lingered, sweet and deep, until Trev nearly forgot why he was upset.

"We've come this far," Jupiter said quietly. "We just need to go a little further."

"And then we can go all the way to the fucking beach," Trev murmured.

"You got it, baby doll."

Trev sighed. "Ready?"

"Ready."

Trev had to admit that the hood of his pajamas—complete with ears, mane, and a sparkly horn—was cute. The fit of Jupiter's pajamas was very nice and snug in all the right places, and Trev caught himself staring quite a bit as they headed back downstairs.

Fuck, Jupiter was hot.

Trev was absolutely going to ride his dick in that stupid cat onesie later.

Rowena, Jimmy, and Juicy were waiting for them in the living room with a big pitcher of margaritas ready to go.

Juicy's onesie was a brown dog with spots and big floppy ears, but he had it folded in his lap so he could pet it instead of wearing it.

Mickey leaned against the doorway, watching everyone get settled with another sneer.

Maybe he just always looked like that.

"Don't be jealous," Trev taunted as he got snuggled next to Jupiter. "Maybe if you ask nicely, Rowena will get you your own cool jammies."

"No." Mickey narrowed his eyes. "They're for children."

"Then why do they make them in adult sizes?" Roger demanded as he strolled in wearing a fuzzy red set of footed pajamas with black horns on the hood.

Mickey sighed loudly.

Juicy looked up as Roger grabbed a seat on the end of the couch. "Oh, hello, Satan."

Roger waved. "What's up?"

"We're going to watch a musical rendition of Tina Fey's classic film. I expect it will be riveting."

Rowena waved her phone. "Hey! You guys gotta tell me what you want me to order!"

"Sesame chicken combo!" Juicy declared. "With extra fried rice. And two-and-a-half egg rolls."

Trev mouthed along with Juicy's order, chuckling at Rowena's confused expression. "Just order three egg rolls. I'll eat half of one and he'll get the other half."

"Okie dokie!" Rowena laughed. "Do you want anything else or is that half an egg roll going to be enough?"

"Sesame chicken for me too, please."

"Jupiter?"

"Do they have a menu?" Jupiter asked.

"Why do you need a menu?" Rowena snorted. "It's Chinese. They all literally have the same stuff."

"No, they do not."

"Oh my God, just tell me what you want!"

"Vegetable lo mein."

"Okay, see?—"

"With beef and broccoli, boneless spare ribs, and egg drop soup."

"Damn, okay." Rowena chuckled as she typed on her phone. "And I already know Jimmy wants sweet and sour chicken… so there! Order placed. Let's go, hos!" She reached for the remote. "And hitting play… now!"

Trev smiled as Jupiter wrapped his arm around his shoulders, and he tried to let himself relax.

Key word— tried .

This was ridiculous.

Pajamas and margaritas the night before Cold was scheduled to be assassinated?

While it spoke volumes of everyone's confidence in Cold's ability to survive, Trev could not bring himself to share it. He knew Cold had to be pretty smart to do all the crazy stuff he did, but Trev still didn't understand the point of literally strolling right into the very place where the Luchesi family planned to kill him.

Just one more reason to get the fuck out of here, Trev decided.

The secrecy bullshit was annoying, and Trev was tired of it. Begrudgingly, he knew Jupiter was right about why he was upset earlier. It was the lack of control that pissed him off and knowing that his fate ultimately hinged on Cold's decisions. The entire situation was awful and Trev hated it.

Jimmy and Rowena only made it worse.

Trev liked them.

Jimmy was sweet with an endearingly silly sense of humor, like a guy who never got the chance to be a kid. He could be plenty fiery though, like all the times he'd bucked up at Cold over the past few days without even batting an eye.

Trev wondered what kind of life Jimmy must have had to shape someone so kind and yet still so fierce.

And speaking of fierce, there was no better word to describe Rowena. She was the sister he'd wished he could have had and not only because he would have loved to steal her clothes and makeup. She was loud, brave, fun, and her laugh was one of Trev's favorite sounds.

It was practically a cackle .

Trev loved how he and Rowena could have raunchy chats and make Jimmy blush, and then Jimmy would have them rolling moments later with some ridiculous joke. He wasn't worried about his bills, his next meal, or what moves he had left to play.

There was no game here.

Just… friends.

Maybe even family.

That was new.

It made Trev forget why he was trying so hard to get away, and he hated himself for getting distracted by, ugh, the power of friendship or whatever it was.

Of course, thinking about Cold and his gang of fucking assholes killed that feeling immediately. Trev had trouble reconciling how two people he was so fond of could worship such a motherfucker like Cold.

Cold was Jimmy's husband and Rowena's brother, but to Trev?

He was just the guy using him, no different than his dates when he was working as an escort.

Hell, the fucking dates were nicer .

At least some of them would give Trev a reach around when they were screwing him. Cold seemed intent on doing everything in his power to make sure Trev hated him entirely and…

Oh .

Trev hissed.

That motherfucker .

As if summoned by his thoughts like some sort of warped asshole genie, Cold appeared in the doorway of the living room.

"Good evening," Cold said. "Your food is here."

Jules appeared beside him, carrying several bags of food. "Hey, is there anything in here for me?"

"Hey, baby!" Jimmy hopped up to greet Cold with a kiss.

Rowena stuck out her tongue at Jules. "No! Bring the food here! And everything better be in there!"

Cold touched Jimmy's cheek. "Go eat."

"Okay." Jimmy smiled. "I'll be up after the movie's over."

"Take your time." Cold glanced at Jules and Rowena fighting over one of the bags of food and he chuckled, turning to leave.

"Hey." Trev sat up.

Cold kept going, though it wasn't clear if he was ignoring Trev or he hadn't heard him.

Trev was willing to bet he was being ignored, and he hopped off the couch to go after him.

"Trev?" Jupiter frowned.

"I'll be right back," Trev said quickly, marching out after Cold.

Cold had already reached the stairs by the time Trev caught up to him, increasing his suspicion that Cold was trying to avoid him. "Hey! Hello!"

"Yes?" Cold paused, turning to eye Trev.

"Too cool to join our pajama party?"

"As a matter of fact, you might find that I'm quite cold ."

"Oh! Was that a joke?" Trev snorted. "Didn't think you were capable of those."

"Happy to surprise you. Now, if you'll excuse me?—"

"No," Trev said firmly.

"Pardon?"

"You said if I'll excuse you and no, I'm not excusing you. I want to talk to you."

Cold looked bored. "About?"

"The fuck do you think?"

"I think it's time for me to go to bed and for you to go eat your dinner." Cold narrowed his eyes. "Big day tomorrow, as I'm sure you're aware."

"Not before I talk to you about what a giant asshole you've been." Trev crossed his arms. "All of this fucking attitude you've been giving me? I think it's because you literally don't know any other way to get close to someone except to piss them off and be a complete bastard and then see if they're willing to stick around for the abuse. Newsflash, bitch . I don't like being played with."

"And have you not been playing me?" Cold took a slow step toward Trev. "From the moment you stepped into my home, have you not been trying to figure out a way to escape it? Plotting ways to manipulate me and those closest to me?"

"Like you wouldn't do the same fucking thing."

"That's just it." Cold's eyes glittered. "It's exactly what I would do."

Trev crossed his arms and did his best to appear as defiant as he could in a rainbow unicorn onesie. "Yeah, well. Good for you. You're still an asshole and I get the need to front and be all big and bad. But you can fucking quit that shit now."

"I believe we are more alike than I first anticipated." Cold smirked. "Though I will admit, you are much braver than I was when I was your age."

"Smarter too," Trev quipped without hesitation. "I already figured out your stupid little head game?—"

"You mean like the one you're playing with Mr. Prospero?"

"Excuse me?" Trev's face heated up. "I'm not playing fucking anything."

"Is he still your prisoner?"

"He's the guy I'm planning to fuck a lot on a beach far, far away from you until I get bored of his dick."

Cold took another step closer. "Allow me to give you some brotherly advice."

"Always wipe front to back?"

Cold's icy eyes flicked over Trev's and his expression softened. "When and if you're fortunate enough to find someone who loves you, not in spite of your faults but in part because of them, hold them tight. And never let go."

Trev's face continued to cook. "Jupiter doesn't love me."

"No?" Cold raised his brow.

"He hasn't said…! We're not, we just…! Oh my God, I hate you for putting this in my brain." Trev groaned. "It's not that serious. It's, it's just not . I don't do fucking serious." He threw up his hands. "And he chained me to a wall!"

"Actions do speak louder than words." Cold smiled smugly. "Perhaps something to consider."

Trev opened his mouth to argue, but he had nothing to say.

Jupiter had betrayed the Luchesi family and risked his life by walking right into the home of their sworn enemy. While Trev could rationalize that was to benefit Jupiter since his family members were big assholes, Jupiter had also worn chains of his own with minimal complaint and then sucked up to Cold every night at dinner.

Trev hadn't fully realized why until that moment.

It was for Trev.

Jupiter wanted to be on Cold's good side since Trev was so vehemently set on fighting with Cold at every given opportunity. Jupiter was willing to do anything to make the current situation be as favorable as possible to help Trev.

What was it Jupiter had said?

You really don't make it easy to take care of you, baby doll.

But easy or not, Jupiter still wanted to.

Trev didn't know what to do with that.

He'd always wanted someone who would treat him as an equal and value him beyond his looks, a man who would respect him as a partner and not just a plaything, and hadn't Jupiter proven that? Time and time again?

Trev glared at Cold.

He refused to give him the satisfaction.

Not like Cold needed it anyway, that prick.

Cold nodded back toward the living room. "Go enjoy your movie."

"Go fuck yourself."

Cold laughed, his face instantly lighting up. It was like looking in a mirror—if the mirror added a million years and being a giant prick. "Charming." He headed back toward the stairs. "Good night, Trev."

"Wait, wait! Hey!" Trev jogged after him. "You want some more of my charming personality? How about this? You tell me what the fuck is happening tomorrow or else I take a shit in one of those stupid flower vases. You've got a shit ton of them, so good luck figuring out which one it is."

Cold snorted, dryly replying, "We'll meet the mayor's staff at eleven o'clock. We will have to be searched before entering Il Grifone."

Wow, Trev couldn't believe that threat had actually worked.

He reined in his surprise, asking, "Because it's the mayor, because it's you, or both?"

Cold ignored the query. "Once they've declared that we pose no immediate threat to the mayor, we'll be seated at our table. The mayor will be joining us by eleven fifteen. We'll chat. We'll eat. You will find the value of total and absolute silence?—"

"Yeah, sure, Jan."

Cold rolled his eyes.

"And what about the hit? When exactly are people coming to kill you?"

"Leave that to me."

"That is less than fucking helpful."

"You'll just have to trust me."

"Eat my ass, bro ."

Cold grimaced. "By the time the meal is over, we will both have what we want. That I promise you."

Trev narrowed his eyes. "If you're fucking with me or go back on your word or do anything that hurts my friends, I swear on this fluffy unicorn horn that I will find a way to make you fucking pay."

"I have no doubt that you would try ." Cold tipped his head. "Valiantly even, but there won't be a need. Just remember. No matter what happens, stay in the restaurant until the meal is over."

Trev flinched. "The fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Cold smiled. "Good night, Trev."

"Hey!" Trev scowled as Cold walked away. "Are you serious? You're just gonna say some weird mysterious ass shit and leave? What the fuck?"

Cold kept going.

"Hello?" Trev seethed. "This is bullshit. Fuck you, damn crunchy griffin ass and your fucking riddles !"

"It was the Sphinx who told riddles, not a griffin!" Cold called back cheerfully.

"Fuck you and your damn sphin-sphink, sphincter whatever bitch ass! Oh my God!" Trev wished the horn on his pajamas were real so he could stab Cold with it.

Repeatedly.

He stomped back to the living room and then immediately grabbed a margarita to chug. The brain freeze was a welcome distraction from how irritated he was, and he growled as he plopped down next to Jupiter. His food was waiting for him on the coffee table, but he wasn't that hungry now.

Rowena and Roger were busy yakking about something in the movie and eating. Juicy was nibbling away, totally entranced by the screen while Jimmy appeared to be ready to pass out.

Jupiter wrapped his arm around Trev, drawing him in close. He didn't look away from the TV screen, asking casually, "What happened?"

"Roddy continues to be a fucking delight," Trev grumbled sourly, keeping his voice low as he picked at his food. "That cocky motherfucker. Said this shit about making sure I stay in the restaurant tomorrow until the meal is over and like what? What does that even mean?"

"Did he say anything else?"

"He…"

When and if you're fortunate enough to find someone who loves you, not in spite of your faults but in part because of them, hold them tight.

And never let go.

"Just a bunch of bullshit," Trev said quickly, ducking his head against Jupiter's broad shoulder. His chest felt a little funny when Jupiter kissed his forehead, but that was probably just indigestion. "I thought I'd finally figured him out, at least a little, but I might have been wrong."

"You? Wrong?" Jupiter gasped.

"Fuck off." Trev rolled his eyes.

Jupiter chuckled, cutting himself off with a yawn. "I don't know about you, but I'm about ready for bed." He rubbed his eyes. "Rowena makes a strong fucking drink."

"Is it strong or are you just a bitch ?" Rowena taunted.

"Definitely a bitch," Roger declared.

Jupiter chuckled. "Just tired, I'm afraid."

Trev glanced over at Jimmy for his input.

Jimmy was curled up in the chair, fast asleep and snoring lightly.

"I think Jimmy wins the bitch award for tonight," Trev said affectionately.

"Poor baby." Rowena reached over to lightly pet Jimmy's hair. "Roddy will be back to collect him." She chuckled, glancing over at Trev and Jupiter. "You two wanna head to bed then? Big day tomorrow."

Trev stiffened. "What do you know about tomorrow?"

Rowena shrugged. "Just that you and Roddy are going to lunch with the mayor and gonna stick it to the Luchesis."

"Really? That's it?" Trev frowned. "And you're really okay with that?"

Rowena turned, giving Trev her full attention and a fierce smile. "You're my brother, Trev. So is Roddy. I'm okay because I know it's going to be all right. I know you're new to the family, but you're still family."

"Not to Captain Dick Head."

"Yes, even to Captain Dick Head." Rowena swatted her arm in Trev's direction. "You'll see!"

"Yeah." Trev sighed. "I guess we will."

One way or another.