Merciless

“Not many. And he’s not a bad kid, not like he’s dealing drugs, or doing drugs, or jacking vehicles, or stealing electronics, or hacking into computers. He gets into fights at school. A lot. Mona had to go to the school every time it happened. Deal with the teacher, the principal, the counselors, and the other parents. Evidently, one of the last counselors suggested Lex spend more time with me, when Lex mentioned being unhappy that Mona limited my visitation. She refused to consider it, and Lex kicked up his antagonism to the point where he got suspended.”

I listened to him breathe. Listened to what he wasn’t saying. He agonized over the fact he hadn’t been there.

“Mona’s always had a pretty good stranglehold on him. Now that he’s old enough to think for himself, maybe he’ll understand you were always trying to be part of his life.”

“I hope so. When I offered to continue paying child support even if Lex lived with me, she jumped at the offer. And she didn’t argue when I told her I expected we’d draw up an official custody agreement.”

“Any idea why she’s had a change of heart?”

“Who knows? I think she’s relieved to be rid of him, and that’s so freakin’ wrong. Jesus. He’s just a boy.”

I let my fingers trace the muscles bunched in his jaw. “So Lex might be here permanently?”

“Maybe. Sounds stupid, huh? Being as he’s only been here four hours.” He made a soft groan when my fingers delved into the muscles knotted in his neck. “But here’s the kicker. When we were driving here, and I was talking about my expectations for him in school? He blurted out that he wanted to register as Lex Dawson, not as Lex Pullman.”

“Whoa. Really?”

“Yeah. Shocked the shit outta me. He wants everyone to know he’s my son, and I can understand that because he needs something to feel he belongs here. Then he asked how long it’d take and how much it’d cost to have his name changed permanently.”

Whatever it cost, I knew Mason would pay it. I just hoped his kid wasn’t dicking with him. “Are you okay with that?”

“Like I’d say no. Christ. I’ve been after Mona for years to let me get his name changed.”

Another thing I hadn’t known. “Guess that means I’ll have to stop calling you Dawson, since there’ll now be two of you.”

“I know I’ve asked you a couple of times, but be honest. Are you really okay with all of this?”

I don’t know. “When haven’t I been honest with you?”

He brushed his lips across my brow. “With work stuff. I can tell you’re… agitated about some things that are going down at G-man central. But I suspect you can’t talk to me about it or you would have.” His lips started moving farther south. When he reached my belly button, he looked at me. “I’m done talkin’. You?”

“Uh-huh. But feel free to keep using that mouth.”

• • •

I woke up late the next morning, so the kitchen was full of people when I sought out my first hit of caffeine.

Dawson and Lex. Sophie and Hope. Jake and Joy. Even TJ and Luke were sipping coffee. Damn good thing I hadn’t strolled out in my thong.

Hope smiled at me. “Good. You’re up. You can help us plan this thing.”

“What thing?”

“A welcome-to-South-Dakota dinner party for Lex.”

I almost choked on my coffee. “What? When?”

“Tonight.”

I glanced at Dawson, who was ignoring me, the traitor. Or maybe this was his idea. “So who all are you inviting?”

“Our neighbors. Geneva and her family.”

“I’ll invite John-John and Muskrat. And of course Devlin will come,” Sophie added.

Hope scowled and exchanged a look with Jake.

“Penny will be there, too. It’d do her good to get out of the house.” She pointed at her grandsons, Luke and TJ. “Better be inviting your families, too, eh?”

“Yes, Unci,” they said in unison.

“The sheriff’s friends and coworkers.” Hope cocked her head. “Do you wanna invite that guy you work with in the FBI?”

Hell no. “I’ll ask if I see him today,” I lied.

Dawson stood. “Come on, Lex. Let’s get you to school.”

TJ and Luke headed out, their coffee break over. Jake handed Joy to Hope and kissed them both on the cheek before he followed his cousins outside. Their workday had started hours ago.

Lex smiled at Joy and curled his hand around her shoe. “She’s cute.”

“Thanks,” Hope said, smooching Joy’s dark head.

“A woman in our building had a baby girl. Sometimes if the mom had to run to the store, I’d watch her. So, if you need anyone…”

“That’s very thoughtful, Lex. Thanks,” Hope said softly.

Okay, that was pretty sweet. And seeing the sheen of tears in Hope’s eyes, I know she was thinking of Levi.

Mason handed Lex his coat. “Go on out to the truck. I’ll be right there.” He pointed to the living room, and I followed him. He put his mouth to my ear. “Just so you know, the party wasn’t my idea, but I went with it, okay?”

“This is freakin’ bizarre. Anyone who knows us knows we’re not Hey-let’s-have-a-dinner-party type of people.”

“Agreed, but Lex seemed excited.”

I hadn’t seen that reaction. I poked Dawson in the chest. “You’d better be here, buster. No I-have-to-work-an-extra-eight-hour-shift cop excuse.”