Page 39 of Snow in Texas

Candy said, “Our Colin here’s becoming a favorite of Jen’s. I think she wants to keep him as a pet.”

Colin flexed his hands, making a note to return the insult later.

Crockett’s mouth lifted in an absent smile. “Jen? Little Jenny? How’s she doing? She’s such a pretty thing, your sister.” He twisted so he could look at Candy, expression saddening. “And she’s always so unhappy, since you went away to New York. That wasn’t real nice to leave your sister behind.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Candy agreed. His eyes came up to Colin. “Go wait outside, prospect.” An order and not a request. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“It was good meeting you,” Colin offered as he left, but Crockett didn’t seem to hear him. As he went through the front door, he heard Crockett say, “Tell me about Riley. How’s he doing? You know he never meant to make you so mad…”

Colin let the screen door slam and sat down heavily on the top step.

The sky was lightening to the east, a pale lavender with a few stars clinging to its edges. A car started farther down the street, something with a deep rumbling engine, a truck maybe. Across the street, an armadillo rooted through the flower beds, bold as anything.

Candy was a long time, and Colin was almost asleep sitting up by the time the VP sat down beside him on the step. Colin jerked, startled, and glanced over to see Candy brace his elbows on his thighs and release a deep breath toward the street.

“That an armadillo?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“Oughta shoot that fucker.” But that clearly wasn’t part of the morning’s plan. He turned his blue eyes on Colin. “Crockett founded the Texas chapter,” he said. “He came from Tennessee originally – hence the name Crockett – and he set up this chapter when it was most needed. Built it up from scratch, got a mean reputation going. It was legendary, what he did.”

Candy sighed. “Got a smoke?”

Colin lit one on his own lip and then handed it over.

Candy nodded his thanks and continued. “My old man was his VP. He was like our uncle, growing up. And then…” His gaze grew faraway. “He started changing before I went off to New York. Just small things, but they were there, and we ignored them. Who cared if he forgot his keys once or twice? Was it really important if he started reminiscing too much about old shit?

“I didn’t know Riley was working on him, leaning on him, trying to steer the club a different way. And under Dad’s nose, too.

“I was told my father died in a bike crash.” His eyes flashed with remembered pain, a persisting violence. “Jud Riley killed my father, and damn neared killed my sister. And Crockett, when I got back…Jesus, Crockett isn’t even there anymore.”

“So why not force him to step down?” Colin asked. “Take the president chair yourself?”

He smiled grimly. “While Riley was pulling the puppet strings, Crockett came to some significant understandings with the local law. And the state troopers. There’s not a cop in Texas that would slap a Dog in cuffs. And if there is, his decisions can be overridden by the higher-ups. We do big business here, but all of that’s dependent on Crockett being president.”

“Wow. Shit.”

“Yeah. Shit. And you saw the man. I can’t just have him at the clubhouse. I can’t let the hangarounds or the new prospects see that he’s…” Candy’s voice faltered. “I wanted to put a bullet in his brain, for what he let happen,” he said quietly. “But I couldn’t make myself do it.”

Because he still loved the man as an uncle. And because you couldn’t blame someone at that kind of disadvantage. Respect for his VP filled Colin. Yes, he could respect the man telling him this story. How could he not?

“So why bring me in on the secret?” Colin asked. “I’m just a prospect.”

Candy gave him a long look. “Because I think when you went to Knoxville, you had every intention of killing your brother. And you didn’t.”

Colin felt his brows go up. But he couldn’t deny the accusation, not with total honesty.

“I think you can understand where I’m coming from,” Candy continued, “maybe better than anyone. And I smell a fight brewing. I’m gonna need more understanding guys on my side.”

An amused light came into his eyes. “Also, because I think you’re going to fall in love with my sister, if you haven’t already. And that means I’ve got serious leverage over you.”

Colin frowned.

“Know that if you hurt her in any way, Iwillcastrate you. And then I’ll really get started.” He stood, knees cracking. “Your brother may be the best, but he doesn’t have a patent on torture.”

Eighteen

Jenny

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