Hard Earned Cash: A Dark Mafia Romance

by K. L. Hiers

  “Rod,” Jimmy said, wanting to touch him but hesitating for fear of hurting him.

  “Nothing’s broken,” Cold assured him.

  “Doesn’t it hurt?”

  “Not as much as when I thought I might have lost you,” Cold replied, his hands circling Jimmy’s neck.

  Eyes fluttering, Jimmy grabbed Cold’s wrists as he said, “I’m here. I’m yours.”

  “Always,” Cold said quietly, though it almost sounded like a question.

  It was too easy to feel the familiar pang of lust surging through his body with Cold’s hands around his neck, but Jimmy found that Cold was soon pulling away. “What’s wrong?”

  “Shower,” Cold ordered firmly, “and then we’re going to rest.”

  “What about talking?” Jimmy demanded, crossing his arms with an angry pout.

  “Shower,” Cold repeated as he stepped out of his pants before assisting Jimmy in undressing the rest of the way.

  Once the hot water was going and Jimmy was gritting his teeth against the bittersweet sting of it on his sore flesh, Cold began to speak.

  “Since Matteo was killed last year, Cristian and Luigi have been fighting over Perry City,” he said. “At least, that’s what they wanted me to think. They’ve been slowly returning their people to Strassen Springs and thought I wouldn’t notice. They’re idiots. Now that Marco’s body has been found and they’ve reestablished themselves here, they’re out for blood. They want revenge for him, for Matteo, and for lowly little Vincenzo.”

  Jimmy shuddered, unable to stop a troubled memory of blood and lifeless eyes flashing up in his mind. “But why try to kill you in broad daylight like that? And how did they even know where you would be?”

  “Because someone is helping them,” Cold said, lathering up his hands and starting to wash Jimmy’s back. “They held you as bait and told Gary where I would be. It was risky, but they took the chance that was given to them.”

  “Charlie?” Jimmy knew it all along.

  “No.”

  “Wait, what?” Jimmy stammered in shock. “Come on, it has to be Charlie. There is something going on with him. Like showing up minutes before the DEA raid? That can’t be a coincidence!”

  “It is not Charlie. I believe it’s Stephen Blalock.”

  “That creep?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, but Charlie is still totally up to something,” Jimmy insisted.

  “Yes, planning our wedding,” Cold said with an amused smile. “Which still needs attention.”

  “I’ve been very busy,” Jimmy said indignantly. “Being illegally questioned, getting in car wrecks, hanging out with the cops...”

  “Trying to interrogate a potential witness behind my back,” Cold huffed dryly.

  “You mean Holliford? Yes!” Jimmy wasn’t about to deny it, and he groaned when Cold’s hands found the sore spot on his collarbone. “Mmmph... I was trying to help.”

  “You should have come to me first,” Cold sighed. “I could have told you that the DEA was getting ready to arrest him and that’s why I hadn’t bothered seeking him out to aid my defense. Besides, he’s hardly credible, and I still am confident that my case will never see trial.”

  “You knew about the raid?”

  “When will you learn that there is very little that I don’t know about?” Cold snorted affectionately, kissing Jimmy’s cheek.

  “I do know one thing,” Jimmy said smugly.

  “What’s that?”

  “That you know absolutely diddly squat about proposing,” Jimmy chuckled.

  Cold snorted, a bright smile actually cracking his usually calm exterior. “Mm, I suppose I’ll have to work on that.”

  “If you want me to say yes, you’d better.”

  “Noted.” Cold continued to wash Jimmy at a leisurely pace. He lightly massaged over his sore muscles and dragged his fingers over his scalp as he shampooed his hair.

  The touches were meant to comfort and not titillate, but Jimmy was still a squirming mess by the time Cold herded him out of the shower to dry him off.

  Wrapped in his plush robe, Cold put Jimmy to bed and let him curl up on his chest.

  “You’re going to have a lot of new scars,” Jimmy noted, tracing the line of stitches on the side of Cold’s face.

  “I don’t mind so much anymore,” Cold said with a soft smile.

  “Oh?” Jimmy lifted up his head. “Does this mean we could go on a beach trip for our honeymoon? Run around in our swimsuits and dig our toes down in the sand?”

  Anything involving bare bodies in public had always been a definite negative for Cold.

  Cold grimaced. “You can.”

  “You’re going with me,” Jimmy scolded.

  “There is absolutely nothing for me at the beach,” Cold said grumpily.

  “Yes. Me. I’ll be at the beach.”

  “Go to sleep, Jimmy,” Cold sighed, a small smile teasing at his lips even as he fought to stay stern.

  “I still think there’s something up with Charlie,” Jimmy fussed as he got comfortable. “And I’m pretty sure he’s trying to bang Jerry. Or maybe Jerry’s banging him. I don’t know.”

  Cold chuckled quietly and kissed Jimmy’s hair. “Sleep.”

  It wasn’t hard to drift off after the crazy day Jimmy had been through. He was exhausted in almost every possible capacity; physically from being jerked around in the car, mentally from several days’ worth of stress, and emotionally from the new threat of danger surrounding him.

  Well, not him specifically, but Rod.

  The Luchesis were back, and they wanted revenge for their slain family members. Their target was Boss Cold and by proxy, Jimmy knew that meant him as well. It could even mean his father, his friends like Maury and Dario; anyone that he cared about could be in danger now.

  Jimmy’s sleep was restless, but when he woke up, his body only had one desire. No matter the peril he was living in now, all he wanted was to be with Cold.

  He was more stiff than before, and his muscles screamed out their complaint as he began to roll his hips against Cold’s side.

  “Jimmy?” Cold was instantly awake, but the drugged sound of his voice indicated he’d been in a very deep sleep.

  “Rod,” Jimmy said softly, continuing to move his hips to show Cold how turned on he was. He was hard, and he grinded his lean body along Cold’s side.

  Cold made a small sound, tensing for a moment before relaxing. He moved a hand into Jimmy’s hair and tugged softly. “Get on top, Mr. Poe.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jimmy whispered, sliding over Cold to straddle his hips. He greedily slid his hands down his stomach and sighed when he felt Cold’s thick cock pressed against his ass.

  Cold untied Jimmy’s robe and jerked it down off his shoulders. He was gazing up at Jimmy with a hunger that made him shiver as he ordered firmly, “Open yourself up for me.”

  Jimmy shrugged out of his robe and threw it aside, frantically scrambling for the lube in their bedside table drawer.

  Cold grabbed his wrist and shook his head. “Slow down, Mr. Poe... take your time.”

  Taking a deep breath, Jimmy nodded obediently. “Yes, sir.”

  “It’s about the journey, not the destination,” Cold said, moving his hand to tease his long fingers along Jimmy’s shaft. “There is no reason to rush.”

  “I understand, sir.” Jimmy slicked up his fingers, and he reached down between his legs to start pushing inside his ass. “Mm... I just want you so badly, sir.”

  “I know, Mr. Poe. Mm, I know you do.” Cold inhaled audibly, breathing out, “I want you, too.”

  Jimmy slid two fingers in and groaned at the familiar stretch. He usually did this with the end in mind: Cold’s cock filling him up. He always hurried, rushed into it, but not now.

  He concentrated on the twist of his hand, finding that spot that made him ache in the most spectacular way. He curled his fingers slowly and uttered little gasps as he felt the tight muscles of his body relax.

 
; “You look so beautiful,” Cold said, his voice husky with desire. “So pretty opening up for me... do you like it, Mr. Poe?”

  Jimmy looked into Cold’s eyes and he couldn’t break away. “Yes,” he whispered, his fingers pushing deeper and making him stammer. “Y-yes... I do, sir.”

  Cold squeezed Jimmy’s cock, only a tease, smiling as he said, “What do you like about it, mmm?”

  “Right now, I like, I like how you’re looking at me. Like I’m beautiful, like... like I’m special.”

  “You are, Mr. Poe,” Cold promised sincerely. “You are all of those things and more.”

  Jimmy moaned, his head tipping back as blinding pleasure lit up the length of his spine. It was Cold’s affirmation and the movement of his hand sending him into such bliss. He had to be careful or he was going to make himself come too soon.

  Cold seemed to sense how close he was getting, now commanding, “Go ahead and sit down on my cock if you think you’re ready for it, Mr. Poe.”

  “God, yes.” Jimmy reached for the lube again to wet Cold’s cock. “I’ll make it so good for you, sir. I will.”

  Cold shifted his hips as Jimmy lined him up, grunting as he began to lower himself down. “There... nice and slow. Just like that, just like that.”

  Jimmy loved the slide inside of his body, the hint of delicious friction and the need to take it all. Cold’s firm grip made sure he was patient, and Jimmy let his thick cock completely stretch out the tight ring of muscle of his asshole one tantalizing inch at a time.

  He groaned when his cheeks were flush against Cold’s thighs, his tight ass completely full, and slowly started to grind. His body protested, but he didn’t listen, working through it and focusing on Cold’s cock buried inside of him.

  Cold was panting quietly, still holding Jimmy’s hips but trusting him to control the rhythm. No words were exchanged for several long moments, and their eyes were locked together as Jimmy moved, using his thighs to power his thrusts.

  Jimmy knew he was blushing, and he was completely trapped by Cold’s gorgeous stare. He could feel his love and his passion, all of the lovely things he knew Cold felt and could never say. It was in the way he held him, the longing way he looked at him, and the tender smile ghosting over his lips.

  The wet sound of their bodies was exciting, and Jimmy made sure to take every inch of Cold as deeply as he could. He loved how full he felt, his body nearly pushed to its limits in this position, and he adored every second of it.

  The air was beginning to feel electric, and Jimmy was having trouble maintaining the current rhythm. Everything was heating up, and he wanted more. He wanted to move faster, he wanted to fuck, he wanted—

  “Put your hands behind you,” Cold ordered suddenly. “Grab my legs and fuck yourself on my cock.”

  “Fuck, yes! Yes, sir!” Jimmy moaned gratefully, eagerly leaning back and latching onto Cold’s thighs. He began to rock himself down in earnest, and he cried out at the intense new angle.

  “Mmm... I love watching your cock bounce when you ride me.” Cold let out a primal growl, his fingers digging into Jimmy’s hips to encourage him to go faster, harder. He arched his body up and held Jimmy in place so he wouldn’t lose his balance.

  “Fuck!” Jimmy moaned, tears in his eyes when Cold began to slam into him. He couldn’t keep up, and he had to throw his hands forward to catch himself on Cold’s chest.

  Cold didn’t stop, and the pounding slams of his cock continued seamlessly as he wrapped his arms around Jimmy. He pulled him close and pressed a searing kiss to his lips.

  Jimmy knew Cold was almost there by the way he was panting and jerking. He wanted him to come desperately, aching for Cold to fill him up. He slipped his tongue deep into his mouth before having to withdraw as a moan stole his breath away from a merciless thrust. “Fuck! Rod!”

  Cold held Jimmy tightly, biting the top of his ear as he growled, “Jimmy... I’m coming... fuck...”

  Jimmy cried softly as Cold came, and he was able to feel every last pulse of his cock as he flooded his hole. That bite at his ear made him positively ache and sent amazing shivers down his spine. He squeezed his body down, moaning when he made Cold grunt pleasurably.

  Cold’s firm grip found Jimmy’s cock, and he stroked him quickly as he commanded, “Come for me, Mr. Poe... look in my eyes and come now!”

  Jimmy hiccupped, the pressure between his legs screaming for release and finding himself right on the tipping point. Cold’s voice was impossible to resist, and Jimmy sobbed as he came all over his long fingers, gazing helplessly into Cold’s beautiful eyes. “Fuck! Oh, Rod... yes...!”

  “Good boy,” Cold breathed, pulling Jimmy into a rough kiss.

  Jimmy melted immediately. He petted Cold’s hair as they kissed while being mindful of his stitches. He groaned when Cold’s cock slipped out of him, well aware what a mess they both were. He could feel Cold’s warm cum seeping out of him, shifting his hips as he sighed, “Mmm... wow. That was amazing.”

  “You were spectacular,” Cold praised, playfully popping Jimmy’s ass. He kissed him again and sighed with deep satisfaction. “Mmmm... absolutely spectacular.”

  “Uh huh,” Jimmy agreed, not wanting to get up yet.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Warm and squishy and still very definitely sore,” Jimmy laughed breathlessly. He smiled when Cold rubbed his back. “I’ll be okay, but maybe let’s avoid anyone trying to kill us again?”

  He’d meant it as a joke, but Cold’s expression drew back in a grimace.

  “For the next few days, we may be staying close to home,” Cold said, nudging Jimmy’s cheek. “No more gallivanting around the city and getting into trouble, hmm?”

  “We’re still doing dinner this weekend, right?” Jimmy frowned. “Dad, Rowena... Dario.”

  Cold made another face at that last name. He tolerated Dario dating his sister, but that wasn’t saying much. Although he had never outright said it, Cold wouldn’t hesitate to make Dario disappear if he ever hurt Rowena, and Dario was very aware of that fact.

  It made all of their interactions a bit awkward, to say the least.

  “I suppose so,” Cold mused. “Perhaps we can invite Mr. Martine as an apology for his impromptu arrest.”

  “I’m not sure if he’ll come,” Jimmy said carefully, knowing how Maury felt about such swanky places.

  “I insist,” Cold countered. “For the next few weeks, I’d like to keep our family close. That includes Maury the Mouth.”

  “You’re worried about them,” Jimmy realized. “You think they might be in danger, too.”

  “We’re all in danger, yes,” Cold said, his thumb moving along Jimmy’s jaw. “Until the Luchesis are destroyed and Stephen Blalock is taken care of, we will not be safe.”

  “What about the trial?”

  “Let me take care of that,” Cold soothed. “You worry too much, Jimmy. My plan is working out just fine. The trial is the key to everything. Trust me.”

  “That’s what you always say,” Jimmy grumbled.

  “Maybe you should try it instead of paying me lip service,” Cold fussed, raising his hand to smack Jimmy’s ass again.

  “Ow!” Jimmy grinned and wiggled his hips. “Again, sir? Please? Maybe it’ll help me trust you.”

  Cold licked his lips very purposely and smirked slyly. “Are you trying to get something started, Mr. Poe?”

  “God, I freakin’ hope so.”

  Chapter Nine

  Despite the threat of danger all around them, Jimmy was happy. It was easy to forget the rest of the world when he was losing his mind in Cold’s bed. With no classes or exams to worry about, Jimmy spent his evenings testing the boundaries of Cold’s impressive virility. Despite the years between them, Cold effortlessly kept Jimmy in a constant passionate haze while they recovered from the accident.

  Jimmy checked in often with his father and Maury, both of whom were more than a bit concerned about the current situation. Maury had accepted the family dinner i
nvitation, but only because he wanted to see for himself that Jimmy was really okay, and he certainly had some new colorful threat for Cold prepared.

  The aches from the wreck began to fade, and Jimmy’s bruises were turning yellow and green as they vanished away. Cold’s were taking longer to heal, and Doc Queen would be coming by soon to check his stitches.

  Jimmy avoided the news all week to maintain his blissful ignorance, but his happy bubble was popped after he found a photograph of him and Charlie in one of Jerry’s tabloid magazines. It had been taken the day Mr. Waugh had died and the headline was repulsive:

  Mafia Twink Cheating on His Boss with Brit Hottie

  Cold thought it was funny.

  Jimmy did not.

  He promptly threw the paper in the kitchen trash despite Jerry’s pouting.

  “Anything else you’d like to chuck out in the garbage?” Cold asked dryly, trying to hide a smile. “Or are you going to finish your wine?”

  “I don’t want it,” Jimmy replied stubbornly. “I’m tired of this. There was another article in there that was talking about you and Marco! ‘Steamy forbidden mafia love’ or some crap! How can people read that shit?”

  “Because they think it’s interesting,” Cold replied calmly, “and I’m sure the prosecution is trying to sell the idea of Marco and me being in a relationship to help their case.”

  “And you’re not worried.”

  “These sorts of opinions only matter when there’s going to be a trial,” Cold explained. “And there will be no trial, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Right.”

  “Come on,” Cold urged as he took Jimmy’s arm. “Let’s take our drinks in the living room, hmm? Our guests should all be arriving shortly.”

  Jerry had prepared an elaborate charcuterie tray that stretched over the entire length of the bar, but Jimmy didn’t have much of an appetite.

  The reality of their circumstances was creeping in, and his stomach hurt. As much as he wanted to hide from it, the danger and the risks were all too real now. He sighed when Cold rubbed the back of his neck, murmuring, “I’m just worried.”