Prologue
Jimmy Poe was absolutely trembling in the back of the limousine, staring anxiously out the window up at Westchester Prison. His foot was tapping, fingers twitching, and his teeth were working at his lower lip with a carnivorous ferocity.
“Jimmy,” Boss Cold said softly, a cool hand pressing against his leg and squeezing. “Calm down.”
Eyes fluttering, Jimmy nodded frantically, but he still continued to fidget.
“Breathe for me,” Cold said more firmly, his thumb slowly stroking Jimmy’s inner thigh. He squeezed his leg again. “Now.”
Taking a few deep breaths, Jimmy’s pulse began to descend. Cold’s voice was beautiful and strong, and there was a very distinct purr that it took on when he gave orders. It worked its way directly into Jimmy’s brain, and he was powerless to resist.
Boss Cold, also known as Roderick Legrand, the mob ruler of Strassen Springs, was not a man who tolerated any amount of disobedience in any aspect of his life. From his criminal empire to the bedroom, his word was law.
It was the foundation of their relationship, and it gave Jimmy purpose and confidence, and it was a love like no other.
“I know you’re excited,” Cold said soothingly, “but you’ll put yourself in a fit if you don’t calm yourself.”
“There’s a part of me that still thinks this is all a dream,” Jimmy gushed, looking back out the window to the prison where his father had been trapped for so many years.
Today was the day David Poe was finally being freed.
He had been wrongly convicted for the murder of Jimmy’s mother nineteen years ago, and Cold had recently discovered that the killer was a traitorous member of his own gang. Justice was brutally served as the result of meticulous planning that not only granted David’s freedom, but also destroyed Cold’s enemies and left him completely untouchable.
“It’s very real,” Cold promised, patting his knee.
“Thank you,” Jimmy beamed happily. “Thank you for everything.” He leaned forward, trying to steal a kiss.
Cold caught his jaw before he could, smirking faintly as he looked over Jimmy’s lips. He hummed, pretending to consider whether or not he was going to allow it.
“Please, sir?” Jimmy pleaded playfully.
Cold growled softly at the ‘sir,’ pressing a heated kiss against Jimmy’s mouth. “You wicked thing,” he snarled. “Teasing me right before I’m going to meet your father.”
“You’ll have to punish me later,” Jimmy chuckled.
“Careful,” Cold warned him, his thumb gently stroking over his chin, “or it’ll be a punishment you may not enjoy.”
Heat prickled beneath Jimmy’s collar as he asked, “Mmm, your belt?”
“Keep pushing me and you’ll find out,” Cold warned.
Jimmy knew he could only tease Cold so much before he got truly aggravated with him.
Although that did come with its own unique set of pleasures, he wanted his boyfriend in a good mood to meet his father.
“I’ll behave,” Jimmy said, smiling when Cold kissed him again. He sat back in his seat, eyes focused out the window once more for any sign of his father.
“Perhaps you should have come alone,” Cold mused.
“Why? Never met anyone’s parents before?”
“No,” was the flat reply.
“Are you nervous?” Jimmy teased, delighted by the idea.
“You really want the belt tonight, don’t you?” Cold scowled. “I do not get nervous.”
Jimmy grinned and resisted the urge to giggle. He wasn’t about to argue, gasping excitedly when he saw the gates of the prison finally open and his father step outside. “He’s here! He’s really here!”
Jerry was already opening the door of the limo, Jimmy tumbling out and breaking into a dead run to greet his father.
“Hey, slugger!” David exclaimed, dropping his bag to embrace his son. He squeezed him tight and pressed tearful kisses into his hair.
Jimmy’s own eyes were stinging with tears as he hugged his father as hard as he could. He was absolutely thrilled to be holding his father as a free man.
“My boy,” David said, his voice cracking from so much emotion. “Thank you. Thank you for never giving up on me. I love you so much, kiddo.”
“I love you, too!” Jimmy exclaimed with a big grin. “Oh, my God. You’re here. You’re really free, and, and, and my God. No more inch of glass, no more phone calls, you’re really here!”
“Damn right,” David chuckled warmly, kissing his son’s forehead and giving him one last big hug. He nodded toward the limo, teasing, “I think your boyfriend is waiting for us.”
Cold was standing by the open door with Jerry, patiently watching them with a small smile.
“Right! Come on!” Jimmy said, grabbing his father’s arm and his bag for him. “I can’t wait for you to meet him!”
David let Jimmy lead him, smiling as he offered to shake Cold’s hand, saying, “Roderick Legrand? I’m David Poe. I understand I have you to thank for my freedom. Thank you.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Cold assured him, giving his hand a firm shake. “Anything for Jimmy.”
“That’s what a father likes to hear,” David nodded with approval.
Cold gestured to the limo, asking politely, “Shall we?”
“Please,” David said quickly. “I have no desire to stay here any longer than necessary.”
Jimmy climbed in first, eagerly grabbing a bottle of champagne that had been chilling. David sat down across from him, and Cold took his place back beside him.
Jerry shut the door and got behind the wheel to drive them back home. Cold took the bottle from Jimmy to open it, pouring them each a bubbly glass.
“Congratulations on your freedom, Mr. Poe,” Cold said, his voice holding a subtle purr as he raised his glass to David’s.
Jimmy shivered at the formal title, but he tried not to think much of it. Cold was talking to his father, after all.
“I will gladly drink to that,” David laughed, clinking his glass with Cold’s and Jimmy’s. He took a long sip, coughing softly and clearing his throat. “Sorry, it’s been a little while since I’ve had anything to drink.”
“Quite all right, Mr. Poe,” Cold assured him, giving Jimmy a sly smile.
Cheeks flushing, Jimmy narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the gangster. He only ever called Jimmy that when they were being intimate.
Very intimate.
Cold winked, looking back at David as he said, “I have a room ready and waiting for you. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you, Mr. Poe.”
Oh, that dirty rat was doing it on purpose!
“Please, call me David!” David insisted, tipping his glass back with more success.
Thank God, Jimmy sighed to himself in relief. He didn’t know that his body would behave itself if he heard Cold say ‘Mr. Poe’ one more time.
“Are you sure?” Cold asked, raising a brow. “I’m not usually so informal with people I’ve just met...” He paused, slowly licking his lips as he added huskily, “Mr. Poe.”
Jimmy nearly choked on his champagne.