Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

"As always, you and the rest of your family remain complete and utter idiots." Cold glanced at the doorway where he saw Trev peeking out. "Ah, Trevanion. Are you all right?"

"Fucking peachy," Trev replied as he flew out of the office to immediately tackle Jupiter. He hugged him tight, burying his face in his chest.

"Trev," Jupiter murmured, wrapping his arms around him and kissing the top of his head. "Why do you have two guns?"

"Buy one, get one free?"

"Let's just… Here." Jupiter gently took the guns away so he could hand them off to Mickey.

Jules was busy disarming Emil and Sal, humming lightly as he did. He whistled at the office. "Hey. Juice. You can come on out now."

Juicy peeked around the corner and then he grinned when he saw Cold. "Ha! I knew you weren't dead."

"Yeah! How the fuck?" Trev demanded. "I saw your head! I saw…" He tried to remember exactly what he'd seen, but it was only a blur of red. "You were fucking faking it."

"Thirdsies here is very keen on explosions and special effects." Cold nodded to the young man.

"The picture," Trev realized. "The one that was a little off in the corner. That was it, wasn't it? It just popped off and sprayed a bunch of what? Fake blood?"

"Yes. Remotely controlled, of course."

"But the waiter?—"

"Really was an assassin."

"And the gun?—"

"Personally planted by Valdemar." Cold tipped his head to the old man. "Loaded with blanks. The security detail wouldn't allow anyone to bring a weapon inside the restaurant, so the Luchesi family thought they'd be clever and hide one in the days leading up to the hit."

"So, you found the gun, planted your own loaded with blanks, rigged all that shit up and made sure you'd sit in the corner so you could pretend to be fucking murdered?"

"Yes."

Trev stared.

And he stared.

"Okay." Trev took a deep breath. "But fucking why ?"

"To make sure these two felt brave enough to stick out their necks," Cold replied, his icy gaze turning on Emil and Sal. "After all, we do have so much to discuss."

Emil only growled while Sal stared furiously.

"And what are you doing here?" Trev gave Jupiter a shake. "I left you at the house!"

"I followed Juicy to the hospital," Jupiter replied. "That, uh, Thirdsies guy came with me and?—"

"Juicy!" Trev scolded. "You didn't think to mention that?"

Juicy blinked. "Mention what?"

"Right."

"Anyway." Jupiter chuckled. "We went to the hospital with Juicy and left to go get something to eat. We left Juicy in the room, thinkin' that the old man couldn't get into that much trouble?—"

"Big mistake."

"Yeah, I see that now!" Jupiter snorted. "When we came back, he was gone."

"Yes, I was," Juicy said proudly.

"What happened to your head, Juicy?" Jupiter glanced over Trev and Juicy both, his brow wrinkling in concern. "What the hell? Are you guys okay?"

"So, Juicy stole a car and then wrecked it a tiny bit."

Cold scowled. "We'll take care of that." He narrowed his eyes at Juicy. "You. No more driving."

"Oh, all right." Juicy nodded. "I have been trying to cut back. Goes right to my hips."

Cold sighed, a sound of deep and long suffering. "To the business at hand." His icy gaze snapped back to Emil and Sal. "As I said, we have much to discuss."

"I've got fuckin' nothin' to say to you," Sal spat.

"Oh, but I think you do." Cold smiled. "Unless you want your father to spend his golden years rotting away in prison."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." Cold tucked his gun away under his jacket. "You will cease any and all operations involving former special agent Champignon or I'll see to it that your father goes to prison."

"For fucking what?" Emil spat. "You ain't got nothin' on our old man."

Sal's grim expression indicated that he wasn't so sure.

"There is potentially going to be a grisly discovery very soon at a little park in Perry City," Cold said. "Three bodies might be found. The three men that Federico Luchesi killed and whose bodies were buried there."

"So?" Emil scoffed. "Feddy killed those fuckers, but?—"

"Ugo was with him," Trev realized out loud. "He liked to put in the final shot."

Cold raised his brow in faint surprise, but he nodded. "Yes. Ballistics will confirm that at least one of the bullets in each victim matches a weapon owned by Ugo Luchesi. He was tried but not convicted in several other cases over the years and there are multiple ballistic reports on his personal arsenal."

"Bullshit!" Emil shouted. "That's a load of fuckin' crap!"

"Why else has your family been interfering with the park renovations? You know the bodies are there and that if they're exhumed your father could be implicated in those deaths. It's why the family first tried to buy out the land after that flood. You knew what they might find, but ah, you had the same problem as the rest of us. You didn't know where they were buried."

"Fuck you," Sal said calmly. "No bodies, no fuckin' case. You've got nothin'. I don't care how much fuckin' pull you have. No one's gonna go diggin' up the park on a body hunt."

"Well, then it's a shame because?—"

"I know where the bodies are buried!" Trev blurted out. "Juicy told me. The two trees, three trees, whatever. Those are the body locations. He used to walk his dog by them to make sure no one was messing with them and it became part of his routine."

" Yes ." Cold's brow furrowed in annoyance. "Mr. Cusack is the one who brought the bodies to Perry City from Strassen Springs to dispose of them."

"I did?" Juicy blinked. "Huh. Maybe I did."

"No one is gonna believe that crazy old bat," Emil snapped.

"They don't have to believe him," Cold said calmly. "Three dead bodies will be quite convincing on their own. And oh, they will be discovered because the mayor of Strassen Springs has signed a deal to sponsor building a fountain in Perry City's park, just as their mayor has agreed to build one here." He smiled. "I promise you, they will find at least one of the bodies because I have the honor of picking the location for the fountain's installation."

"The meeting with the mayor," Trev said carefully. "That's why you were so set on making it. That's what it was about." He scowled. "The mayor knew, didn't he? That something was going to happen?"

"He knew there was the potential for a little surprise, yes," Cold replied. "But I assure you that we will meet again very soon to finalize all those pesky details."

Sal's grimace deepened. "What the fuck do you want?"

"You will cease all operations involving Mr. Champignon. Your entire family will sever ties with him." Cold smirked. "I don't care what he threatens you with. Trust that whatever it is, I can make it much, much worse."

"You know we have to answer to the council now," Sal said disgustedly. "I can't promise?—"

"That's not my problem," Cold cut in. "That's yours."

Emil glared at Sal. "You're really gonna let this motherfucker push us around? Huh?"

"Shut the fuck up." Sal smacked the side of his head.

"Hey! Fuck you!" Emil hit him back. "I'm so tired of your fuckin' shit!"

"Shut up!" Sal barked. "I'm workin' this out."

"Work on my fuckin' dick, you asshole!"

Cold politely cleared his throat.

"What?" Sal growled.

"I wasn't done," Cold said calmly. "In addition to giving Mr. Champignon the metaphorical finger, you will turn over any remaining Luchesi properties here in Strassen Springs to me. Do not even try to deny it. It's how I knew you idiots would come here because you only have but so much real estate. Also, you will lift the hit on Mr. Prospero and cease pursuing him at once."

"What?" Trev gasped.

"That traitorous piece of shit—" Sal started.

"Is now a member of the Gentleman and therefore under my protection," Cold said firmly. "As far as you're concerned, he doesn't exist. Put him completely out of your head. Do you understand?"

"And what the fuck if we say no, huh?" Emil spat angrily. "What if we say to hell with our old man and fuck you right in your stupid fuckin' smug face? So what if he goes to fuckin' jail? Maybe I don't give a shit. Fuck you, bitch ass?—"

"Then I'll kill you."

"What?"

"You heard me," Cold said, his voice dropping to a low and dangerous tone. "I will kill you and the rest of your pitiful family. I'll kill your friends, your wives, your mistresses, even your fish. I will completely erase anyone and everyone who could possibly care about you so when you're put in the ground, the only people who will be present are the gravediggers to cover up your casket."

Emil opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

"Ha!" Trev cheered. "Fuckin' suck it, you motherfuckers! Hear that? No one there but the assholes throwin' dirt on you and the maggots eating your fuckin' brains! Oh, wait, except you don't have any brains because you're fucking morons ! Fuck you!"

Cold arched a brow.

"Right. Sorry." Trev grinned and hugged Jupiter tight. "Got a little excited."

Sal made a face. "Fine. Whatever. Jupiter's your fucking problem now and we'll cut the fed loose. Happy?"

"And the properties," Cold said firmly. "Next time your family tries to sneak into my city and purchase real estate, I will not be so kind."

"Understood." Sal nodded. "We'll take care of it."

"I expect you will or we'll be seeing each other again very, very soon."

Sal grabbed Emil and dragged him out of the garage. There was a side door Trev hadn't been able to see before from inside the office, and Sal slammed it shut behind them as they left. The building rattled, dust fell, and it was quiet for a few moments as the tension bled out of the space.

"Wow." Trev clung to Jupiter, though he stared at Cold. "You're a lot fucking smarter than I thought you were."

Cold snorted. "And you're a lot dumber than I thought." He scowled. "What part of stay at the restaurant did you not understand?"

"Maybe the part where you pretended to get fucking murdered and your stupid blood splattered all over me?"

"It was important to make it as convincing as possible to anyone watching?—"

"Including me?"

"As if you would have been able to act your way through that knowing it wasn't real."

"Fuck you! You don't know!" Trev gasped as Jupiter squeezed him.

Jupiter cleared his throat softly.

Trev grunted. "Okay, fine. Whatever. I get it. And…" He took a deep breath. "Thank you for… you know."

"No, I don't know." Cold smiled sweetly. "For which part? Saving your life, freeing your partner…?"

"All of it." Trev surged forward and hugged Cold tight. "Thank you."

"Oh." Cold stiffened. "You're welcome."

"Don't make this fucking weird. Just hug me back, asshole."

Cold lifted one arm to wrap around Trev, his body slowly but surely relaxing as he gave Trev the world's most awkward hug. "Are we done now?"

"Almost." Trev smiled.

"Ugh."

"Okay, there." Trev let go, grinning. "So. Uh, now what?"

"We go home. I believe Juicy could use medical attention." Cold glanced over at him. "And some clothes."

"It is a bit breezy in here," Juicy remarked.

"Wait, uh." Trev pulled himself away from Cold. "What about the waiter? The crime scene? Hello?" He scoffed. "Aren't we witnesses? And uh, aren't you dead ?"

"It is very unfortunate that young man decided to take his own life right in front of us. I needed medical attention following such a traumatic experience." Cold shrugged. "Quite a tragedy."

"That's it?"

"What else could there be?"

"You…" Trev's head hurt. "But I heard more shooting. I heard?—"

"You heard an off-duty police officer responding to a mugging that happened to coincide with the waiter's tragic suicide."

Trev stared.

"Is there a problem?"

"It's really that easy?" Trev said. "You just… rewrite what happened? Just make it up to whatever fits what you want?"

"Yes." Cold arched his brow. "And?"

"Right. So. That's a whole new level of fucked up, but hey! Gangsters." Trev retreated back to Jupiter's side. "Let's get the fuck out of here."

"Let's," Cold agreed.

"Thank you, Boss Cold," Jupiter said. "I appreciate what you did?—"

"I did not do it for you," Cold cut in briskly, already headed to the door. "Save your gratitude for Trevanion."

"Hear that? You need to show me how grateful you are." Trev kissed Jupiter firmly before falling into step behind the others out of the garage, eager to be out of there.

Jerry was waiting just outside with the limo, holding the door open for them with a polite smile.

Cold went in first and the other Gentlemen scattered. Thirdsies, Valdemar, and the redhead left in a big truck. Roger and Mickey vanished in a slick black classic muscle car, and Jules drove off in an El Camino with flames painted on the sides.

Trev climbed into the back of the limo with Jupiter right behind him. He took one of the seats on the side and waited for Jupiter so he could collapse against him. Before he could even blink, he realized they were missing someone. "Where's Juicy?"

"Safe." Cold pushed a button that rolled down the screen separating them from the front seat.

Jerry was behind the wheel and Juicy was riding shotgun, excitedly talking away. Trev couldn't hear what he was saying because there was still a window between them, but judging by how happy Juicy looked, he imagined it was about Barkie.

Then again, it could have been about murdering people too.

There was no telling now.

"I've already called Dr. Queen to come examine him," Cold said. "We'll make sure he's all right. I understand that she was concerned he has not been taking his medication."

"But you've had nurses coming to see him, like, every day?"

"Mr. Cusack is nothing if not resourceful." Cold chuckled as if that was a joke he found very funny. "It's nice to see that he hasn't lost his touch."

"Yeah. Super nice to see him in action. That was just great. Love all this murder. So. What happens to all the bodies back there?" Trev asked quietly. "They gonna be the result of a gas leak or something?"

"Do you really want to know?" Cold asked.

"No, I guess it doesn't matter."

Jupiter kissed Trev's brow and held him tight. "The only thing that matters is right here, baby doll."

Trev's heart skipped a few beats, and he sagged against Jupiter's chest. "Yeah. There were a few seconds there where I thought…" He didn't even want to finish the thought. "I'm just glad it's over. It is fucking over, right?"

"Yes," Cold replied simply. "Emil and Sal will return to Perry City to lick their wounds. They may spin whatever story they'd like to ensure the council's compliance."

"And if they don't?"

"I think I've made it clear that the consequences are severe." Cold smirked. "Unlike the Luchesi family, my assassins don't fail."

Trev mirrored Cold's smug smirk. "Technically, he didn't fail. If you fucked up and it had been a real gun, you'd be dead."

Jupiter made a small sound. It may have been a snort of laughter that he was trying to hide with a cough. He stared down at Trev with wide eyes and then looked at Cold, no doubt bracing for his reaction.

Cold leaned forward, his face curiously calm. "Well, then it's a very good thing I do not tend to fuck up, isn't it?"

"Yup." Trev clicked his tongue. "Must run in the family."

Cold smiled at that. "Perhaps it does."

Trev smiled too.

Jupiter gave him a gentle squeeze, and somehow that was all Trev needed to be sure that things were really going to be okay. They were both alive, free, and Cold wasn't the full-blooded asshole Trev had thought he was.

"Did you mean what you said?" Trev asked suddenly. "About the trip?"

"Trip?" Jupiter echoed.

"Yes." Cold nodded, leaning back against the seat. "I own a villa that sits right on the beach of Magen's Bay in St. Thomas."

"And that is where?" Trev pressed. "The Caribbean, right?"

"Yes, the Virgin Islands. Trust me that it is a lovely slice of paradise, and you are welcome to stay there for as long as you'd like while you sort out whatever it is you want to do."

"What about Juicy?" Jupiter asked carefully. "Is he coming too?"

"Yup." Trev gestured to Cold. "Cold is gonna get him nursing care or whatever down there with us. Hopefully nurses that will make sure he's taking all the drugs he needs."

"Yes," Cold confirmed with a slight huff. "I'm happy to make the arrangements. If you still wish to leave this afternoon, I can make flight arrangements for you. You can fly right out of Strassen Springs, if you'd like."

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

"Wow." Trev grinned up at Jupiter. "What do you think?"

"I think that sounds like a wonderful and generous gift," Jupiter said, bowing his head to kiss Trev's brow. "We can go whenever you want, baby doll."

Trev closed his eyes and held Jupiter close. "Fuck yeah."

Things were looking up.

Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, Trev found he was surprisingly optimistic about the future. A trip to paradise was a pretty fabulous light to have waiting for him at the end of what had been a pretty damn dark tunnel.

Knowing he'd be going there with Juicy and Jupiter made it sweeter still.

Cold's phone buzzed and he made a face when he looked at the screen.

"Let me guess," Trev said. "Rowena or Jimmy or both saw the news and are freaking the fuck out about you having possibly been murdered for real?"

Cold glared. "You really are quite clever."

"I love that you said that like it's an insult." Trev batted his eyes. "But I'm going to take it as a compliment."

"It can be both." Cold tapped at his phone, still scowling.

Trev watched him aggressively type. "Everything okay?"

"Fine." Cold's pissed off expression said otherwise. He looked up at Trev, his smile strained. "Our sister would like you to stay tonight for dinner. She's taken it upon herself to make arrangements to throw you a party."

Trev laughed. "Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Wow, uh…" Trev glanced up at Jupiter. "What do you think? I mean, you had so much fun at the last party we went to, dragging me around on a leash."

Cold arched a brow, and his expression hardened.

Jupiter smiled, and Trev swore he looked nervous. "That wasn't my idea by the way. Just to be clear."

"Maybe I'll drag you around this time." Trev pulled at Jupiter's tie and purred.

Jupiter chuckled. "If you'd like."

"So." Cold rolled his eyes. "Is that a yes?"

"A big yes," Trev confirmed. "Shit. I don't know if I have anything to wear?—"

"Rowena has assured me she took care of that." Cold smirked. "You'll find there is little she doesn't think of. She's very fond of planning events like this."

"She's pretty great." Trev smiled warmly. "So are you, you know. When you're not trying to be the world's biggest?—"

"Asshole?"

"I was gonna be nice and downgrade you to prick , but hey, asshole still works."

Cold just smiled, reaching into his pocket to pull out a second phone. He handed it to Trev. "Here."

"What is this?" Trev blinked as the phone buzzed in his hand. There was an incoming call.

"We call them smartphones. This one is for you. Rowena mentioned you needed one."

"Ha ha, seriously."

"Answer it. Or Rowena is going to get very upset with you."

Trev swiped his thumb across the screen and then held the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hi, sweetie," Rowena crooned. "How was your nice little mafia adventure? Good? Great?"

"I don't know about all that, but uh, still here, right?" Trev laughed.

"I'm going to strangle the fuck out of Roddy as soon as he walks in the damn door. Ugh, that motherfucker. You get a pass because you didn't actually know what was going on. Everybody else is on my shit list."

"Not Jupiter, right?" Trev smiled up at Jupiter.

"No, he's okay," Rowena replied. "Oh! And Juicy! That old geezer is at the very top for scaring the fuck out of me. Making me think he was dying. What a bitch."

"Yeah, uh." Trev grimaced. "Maybe go easy on him. He's had, uh, a very exciting day."

"Whatever." Rowena popped her tongue. "Now listen, sweetie. Shoe size. Ready go."

"Uh. Twelve?"

"Okay." Rowena hummed thoughtfully. "And would you rather have Chinese, Japanese, or like, a blend of both? Like maybe a buffet with some sushi? Hibachi?"

"What?" Trev frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, you're right." Rowena laughed. "We should just do it all."

"Do what? What are you doing ?"

"Whatever I want." Rowena made kissy sounds. "Because this means you're staying today?—"

"Yeah, but?—"

"—so, I can probably get you to stay at least another week!"

Trev scowled. "Roe, girl. No. Me and Jupiter are leaving?—"

"Love you! Bye!" Rowena made more kissy sounds.

"Love you too, but—" Trev grunted as Rowena abruptly hung up.

He wasn't sure what was more alarming—Rowena planning what sounded like a very, very big party or how easy it had been to say love you too .

Did he really mean that?

Was it just a reflex?

Rowena had treated him like family from the moment they'd first met. Jimmy too. Trev supposed he loved them in a way, the siblings he'd never had. Rowena was ever the big sassy sister and Jimmy a sweet brother with a big heart. Juicy was family too, Trev decided, for all he'd done for Trev over the years, especially the times he had no idea.

Okay, maybe the whole stalking him because Juicy was actually a former hitman was a little creepy, but still.

Juicy did always invite him over for Chinese food.

Plus, his imaginary dog liked him, so that had to count for something.

And Jupiter.

Jupiter was…

Trev wasn't sure how to fully quantify his feelings for Jupiter just yet except that they were strong, and he didn't want to spend another moment away from him.

The things they'd been through together had created a unique bond, forged in a wild mix of passion, chaos, and determination. Trev had never felt like this about anyone, nor had someone prove their affections so intensely. Jupiter had upended his entire life at great personal risk to himself just to be with Trev, and as far as romantic gestures went, that was pretty damn special.

Plus, that dick was fantastic.

The rest of Jupiter was too, and Trev could not imagine having survived this insane adventure with anyone else. Though he wasn't sure what the future held, he was happy knowing that he wouldn't be facing it alone.

He had an incredible partner.

Wonderful friends.

A family .

Trev couldn't really ask for more.

Well, he could because who wouldn't want a new Ferrari or a Chanel bag, but he was honestly happy with what he had. It was beyond anything he could have ever hoped for and there truly was no price tag on this kind of happiness.

"Everything all right?" Cold asked.

"Yeah, our sister might just be a little bit nuts," Trev replied. "Crazy runs in the family too, huh?"

"It doesn't just run," Cold drawled. "It gallops ."

"Must be why we get along so well," Jupiter teased Trev lightly. "My crazy plays really well with yours."

"That's not the only thing that plays well together." Trev grinned slyly.

Cold sighed.

"I'm talking about sex," Trev said bluntly, delighted by Cold's obvious discomfort. "Because we have such great sex. Like, wow, he tears my ass the fuck up. Thanks for chaining him to the bed, by the way, because wow, new kink unlocked?—"

"Trevanion?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you like to walk the rest of the way back?"

"And piss off Rowena because you made me miss my own party?" Trev batted his eyes.

"That is a risk I'm willing to take."

"Behave yourself," Jupiter scolded gently, nudging Trev.

"Why?" Trev asked. "Will I get a prize if I do?"

Jupiter gently grabbed his collar and kissed him.

"Is that it?" Trev teased. "I was expecting a bit more incentive. At least some tongue."

Jupiter leaned in close, his lips brushing Trev's ear as he whispered, "As soon as we're alone, I'm going to fuck you until you can't say anything else but my name, baby doll."

Trev grinned.

Yup.

Priceless .