Colin nodded, staring at the far wall. “That was sweet of them.”
“They like to do sweet shit.”
“Hmm.”
“Colin.”
His head lifted.
“I meant what I said last night. You did a good job out there, and I am proud of you.”
Colin stared at him, blinking.
“Anyway.” Mercy smacked the doorframe with his open palm in farewell. “Food’s there. I’m gonna head back home.”
He was turning for the door when Colin said, voice strained, “I got Jenny Snow pregnant.”
Mercy froze. Turned slowly back around. Saw his half-brother’s miserable, stricken expression. And burst out laughing.
Colin surged to his feet, hands curling into fists. “It’s not funny, asshole.”
“You’re right. It’s hilarious.” He pressed a hand to his chest and tried to get the laughter under control as Colin glowered at him. “No,” he explained, gasping, “really. You’ve been this irresponsible jackoff your whole life, and you finally manage to knock a woman up, and it’s Candy Snow’s little sister. Congrats, man. You’re officially the dumbest sombitch I ever met.”
When he got really angry, like now, his jaw clenched tight and his brows lowered, it was very hard to pretend Colin wasn’t Remy Lécuyer’s biological son. Well…he was, after all. Through his teeth, he said, “You’re gonna go out there and tell him, aren’t you?”
Mercy finally stopped laughing, shook his head, and sat down at the desk chair. “No. Calm down.”
Colin’s expression shifted, colored with surprise.
“Sit.” When he didn’t comply, Mercy added, “Prospect.”
Cursing under his breath, Colin sat.
“By now, I figure you know Jenny was the main reason Candy wanted you in Texas, right?”
Fast nod.
“He’s got this theory,” Mercy said, rolling his eyes, “about there being some sorta genetic predisposition toward being a good bodyguard. Really, I think he was just hoping you’d prove to be a loyal, solid guy. Are you those things?”
Colin looked affronted. But he said, “Yeah. I think so.”
“Are you just messing around with Jenny?”
“No.” The answer was immediate, honest.
“You gonna stick around and be the kid’s dad?”
Again, without hesitation, “Yeah.”
Mercy shrugged. “Then tell Candy. He might knock all your teeth down your throat, but he’ll respect that you were honest with him.” He grinned. “You do know that’s why he’s the Candyman, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” Dread flickered through Colin’s dark eyes. “He’s got a bad reputation for taking men’s teeth.”
Mercy curled one of his hands into a fist, glanced down at the scarred knuckles. “I’ve never seen anybody in my life punch like him. That’s why he never steps in for a round when we’re just brawling, like the other night.” No, Candy always stood off to the side, grinning, content to watch.
“I’ve noticed,” Colin said, quietly.
Mercy lifted his head. “So you might have to eat through a straw for the rest of your life. But you’ll get to be a dad.”
