Page 147 of Ready to Cash Out

Trev wondered what kind of life Jimmy must have had to shape someone so kind and yet still so fierce.

And speaking of fierce, there was no better word to describe Rowena. She was the sister he’d wished he could have had and not only because he would have loved to steal her clothes and makeup. She was loud, brave, fun, and her laugh was one of Trev’s favorite sounds.

It was practically a cackle.

Trev loved how he and Rowena could have raunchy chats and make Jimmy blush, and then Jimmy would have them rolling moments later with some ridiculous joke. He wasn’t worried about his bills, his next meal, or what moves he had left to play.

There was no game here.

Just… friends.

Maybe even family.

That was new.

It made Trev forget why he was trying so hard to get away, and he hated himself for getting distracted by, ugh, the power of friendship or whatever it was.

Of course, thinking about Cold and his gang of fucking assholes killed that feeling immediately. Trev had trouble reconciling how two people he was so fond of could worship such a motherfucker like Cold.

Cold was Jimmy’s husband and Rowena’s brother, but to Trev?

He was just the guy using him, no different than his dates when he was working as an escort.

Hell, the fucking dates were nicer.

At least some of them would give Trev a reach around when they were screwing him. Cold seemed intent on doing everything in his power to make sure Trev hated him entirely and…

Oh.

Trev hissed.

That motherfucker.

As if summoned by his thoughts like some sort of warped asshole genie, Cold appeared in the doorway of the living room.

“Good evening,” Cold said. “Your food is here.”

Jules appeared beside him, carrying several bags of food. “Hey, is there anything in here for me?”

“Hey, baby!” Jimmy hopped up to greet Cold with a kiss.

Rowena stuck out her tongue at Jules. “No! Bring the food here! And everything better be in there!”

Cold touched Jimmy’s cheek. “Go eat.”

“Okay.” Jimmy smiled. “I’ll be up after the movie’s over.”

“Take your time.” Cold glanced at Jules and Rowena fighting over one of the bags of food and he chuckled, turning to leave.

“Hey.” Trev sat up.

Cold kept going, though it wasn’t clear if he was ignoring Trev or he hadn’t heard him.

Trev was willing to bet he was being ignored, and he hopped off the couch to go after him.

“Trev?” Jupiter frowned.

“I’ll be right back,” Trev said quickly, marching out after Cold.

---