Page 3 of Cold Hard Cash

He slowly walked through the open doorway, and he gasped when he saw a strange man on his sofa. He had certainly seen the man’s picture on the news before, and he recognized him in an instant.

“Hello there, James Poe. I don’t have a habit of making house calls,” Boss Cold rumbled, his voice a deep purr, “but I was reviewing my latest acquisitions, and considering the amount of your outstanding balance… Mm, I felt it required a personal visit.”

Jimmy clutched his keys to his chest, staring dumbly in terror.

Roderick Legrand, Boss Cold, was stretched out across Jimmy’s couch with his feet kicked up over the arm, his arms tucked behind his head. He wore a dark blue three-piece suit, a long navy blue trench coat, and black leather gloves. His shoes were expensive, his tie was definitely silk, and a long scarf was woven around his neck.

Cold looked like a cat waking from a long nap—relaxed, but every muscle a bundle of coiled danger, ready to strike at any second.

Dangerous, and wow.

Beautiful.

His lips were made for sin, and those eyes of his were sure to kill Jimmy quicker than anything. They were so blue and piercing that Jimmy felt sure the gangster could count the pennies in his pocket right through the denim.

“Uh,” Jimmy sputtered, his keys jingling in his nervous hands. Cold’s mugshots did him a great disservice. Jimmy didn’t think he had seen anyone who was so handsome in person. Maybe on television or on a magazine cover, but not face-to-face, not right there on his sofa. “I… Um…”

Cold glanced around, giving Jimmy a reprieve from his icy gaze, musing, “Can’t imagine that you’ll be able to make a payment today, and after a quick little look around? I already know you don’t have anything to offer as collateral. I imagine whatever you had of value is in Maury’s pawn shop, mm?”

“Look, uh, Mr. Cold, sir?” Jimmy gulped. “Listen. I’ve been having a really, really bad day. And you don’t care, right, I totally get that. But please. I just lost my job today, and, and I’ve really been trying—”

The floor creaked behind him.

“Allow me to introduce you to my associate.” Cold cocked his head to the side as he looked over Jimmy’s shoulder. “This is Julian Price. Jules, this is Mr. Poe. Say hello.”

A giant hand curled around the back of Jimmy’s neck and he cringed.

“Hi.” The deep voice that greeted Jimmy had an all-too-friendly tone.

Jimmy squeaked in panic, smiling stupidly as he turned his head to gaze up into the terrifying visage leering over him.

Jules Price, Cold’s top enforcer and living proof that Bigfoot did exist and had reproduced with humans.

Today sucked so much.

“Jules?” Cold said, his tone far too pleasant. “Will you please give Mr. Poe some encouragement to be a bit more timely with his payments?”

“Gladly.” Jules grunted, his arm slipping around Jimmy’s neck as he dragged Jimmy toward the stove.

Jimmy was helpless in Jules’ iron grip, and he was certain that kicking and struggling would be utterly useless. But damn if he didn’t try anyway. Especially when Jules lit the stove and got the burner going.

Jules was going to burn him. He was going to burn his hand!

“Wait, wait, please!” Jimmy screamed, wiggling frantically as he tried to pull his hand out of Jules’ giant paws.

Cold watched impassively, not affected by Jimmy’s cries. He glanced at his nails as if debating the merits of a manicure. He was so very handsome.

A total and complete bastard, but an especially attractive one.

Jimmy was desperate, and he did not want Jules Price to burn his hand or any other part of his body. He had no job, no money, and he was all out of options.

His body really was all he had left.

“Wait!” Jimmy shouted, snapping his head around to look at Cold. “We, we can work something else out!”

“I’m afraid we’re far, far past that point,” Cold drawled, bored. “Empty promises don’t have any cash value, Mr. Poe. Take your punishment like a good boy, and—”

“Me! You can have me!” Jimmy yelled when he felt the heat of the flame warming the tips of his fingers. “I’ll get you off, I’ll freakin’ get you off, please, I’ll do whatever you want!”