Page 33 of Cold Hard Cash

“It’s a welcome home party. Mickey Tamerlane just got out of jail.”

“Mickey Tamerlane? The Shadow?” Jimmy’s jaw dropped. “Isn’t he… a hitman?”

“Yup! He’s one of Cold’s original Gentlemen.”

“Who?”

He really needed to get a computer.

“The Gentlemen, that’s our little family of criminals.” Rowena beamed. “The best of the best of Strassen Springs’ not so law-abiding citizens. None of them are Italian, you see, so the Luchesis never really wanted anything to do with them. Pretty much treated them all like trash, said none of them were worth a fuck. But along came Roddy, who definitely has no love for the Luchesis, and he brought them all together. He could see how much potential they had, and he formed his own family, the Gentlemen. That’s how he was able to run the Luchesis out of town.”

“So, that’s who’s gonna be there tonight?” Jimmy squeaked. “All the Gentlemen?”

“Don’t worry,” Rowena soothed. “They’re all loyal to Roddy, and if he says hands off, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. It’s only the closest family there tonight, and everybody is chill. Ugh, except that creep Corman, but don’t worry about him. He’s just weird.”

“Oh.” Jimmy grimaced. “Yay.”

Rowena considered things for a moment, sipping her drink before she went on, “And, well, Tamerlane is a little feisty, but he’s just pissed off that Lorre cheated on him while he was locked up. Ugh, and truthfully, Pym would have never done it, but he thought Tamerlane and Lorre were through, but they weren’t. It also pretty much killed Pym’s chances with Thirdsies, because Goddd, does Thirdsies hate Lorre because he fucked over his grandpa this one time.”

Jimmy did his best to follow along, but he didn’t know all of the names. Honestly, it sounded like a crazy soap opera. “Lots of, uh, inter-company dating?” he tried, grasping at straws to keep up.

“Lots of angry, horny mobsters.” Rowena laughed, looking thoughtful for a long moment. “You know, I wouldn’t say we’re a gay mafia… but we’re, like, totally the gay mafia.”

Jimmy couldn’t stop himself from laughing. “Really?”

“Well, not everybody.” Rowena winked. “But you see, that’s part of why a lot of these guys were snubbed by the Italians. They’re not exactly a real open-minded sort of folk, you feel me?”

“Got it.” Jimmy gave a salute of understanding as he finished off his drink. “So, are you…?”

“What? Gay? Nah, I like boys, as many as I can get my hands on.” Rowena grinned, taking his glass as soon as it was emptied to fill it again despite Jimmy’s groans of protest. “I’m between fellas at the moment. Last one didn’t end real pretty, but there’s one or two I got my eye on.”

“Oh yeah?” Jimmy made another face as he tried to swallow down more alcohol. “What happened?”

Rowena’s bubbly aura visibly faded for a moment, and she shook her head. “Nothing worth talking about, sweetie.” Her energy returned full force as the limo pulled to a stop, and she cheered. “Ah! We’re finally here! Come on!”

Volturo Designs was a surprisingly old-fashioned suit shop nestled in the heart of the uptown shopping district. The shop consisted of dark wood, heavy curtains, and dozens of beautiful suits on display everywhere Jimmy looked. He was afraid to touch anything, and he shoved his hands in his pockets as Rowena led him straight toward the back.

A stout young man, who had apparently been expecting them, glanced impatiently at his watch as he cleared his throat. “Let me guess. Natural disaster, limo exploded, broke a nail?”

“Worley, I got all caught up playing dress-up with my brother’s new special friend,” Rowena said with a pout, then she and Worley exchanged kisses on their cheeks. “Seriously though, I need you to make me a miracle because we’ve got a huge party to go to tonight. In, like, um…” She checked the clock on the wall. “Two hours?”

“Holy crap.” Jimmy was honestly shocked.

It was already after seven. He couldn’t believe how long he and Rowena had been out shopping.

“I’ve got this,” Worley said confidently as he brushed Rowena out of his way. “Stand aside. Professional at work here.” He took one look at Jimmy, peering over him curiously as he said, “Let’s see. About a thirty-eight long? Oh, those legs. Okay. I’ve got just the thing.”

Rowena grinned and came over to retrieve Jimmy from where he had floundered, guiding him toward the private fitting rooms, shutting the door behind them. There was a large array of mirrors and plush leather furniture. “Don’t worry, I won’t peek,” she teased, covering her eyes.

“Wait, what am I doing?”

“You’re stripping,” Rowena informed him bluntly. “Worley is gonna have to measure you. These suits are made to order, but, hopefully with his genius little paws? The alterations won’t take long.”

Jimmy walked toward the mirrored area, frowning as he undressed. He at least had his underwear left on, and Rowena wasn’t peeking between her fingers as best as he could tell.

Worley came in with a bright smile, carrying a dark red suit over his arm. “Come on, handsome,” he said as he offered it to Jimmy. “It’s time to get you ready for the ball!”

“Let me know when I can look!” Rowena demanded.