Page 54 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
I order a cheese quesadilla with a side salad, and Harry gets double-beef enchiladas, extra sour cream and rice. Then he digs into the chips and salsa as though he hasn’t eaten in ages.
“So what’s up?” he asks, methodically working his way through the basket.
Harry’s much sharper than I thought. “What? I can’t have lunch with my future brother-in-law?”
A smile. “I know you love me, but I know I’m no competition for Tony.”
I fidget. He told me we were close, but did he ever have those kind of feelings, like Byron? I want to pretend he didn’t—even if he did—but I don’t want to be ambushed like on Friday. “We didn’t, um…like… I mean…”
“What?”
“We didn’t, like… You didn’t have a crush on me or anything, right? Back in Louisiana?”
Harry guffaws.
“What’s so funny?”
“The question.” He’s still chuckling, but manages to add, “I didn’t. Neither did you.”
Good.I don’t need the repeat of the Byron Awkwardness. But my relief soon turns to irritation, since I just made a fool out of myself. “Then why did you say you’re no competition for Tony?”
“Because I’m not. He’s more or less perfect—and can do anything he sets his mind to, including making oodles of money.” As though embarrassed, he looks down, then stuffs his mouth with more chips and salsa.
How interesting. Does Tony know Harry sees him this way? Because Tony sure as hell doesn’t think he’s worth much.
I give Harry a moment so he can swallow. “Actually, I need to talk to you about him.”
“Oh?” Harry grows serious. “Did something happen between the two of you? You know I can’t take sides, right? I mean, I could, but that won’t end well for me, so I’m Switzerland.”
I shake my head. “Your preemptive ‘I’m Switzerland’ speech is totally wasted. I would never drag you into anything with Tony because you should always be on Tony’s side. You’re his brother. He deserves that.”
“Whew, I’m glad. I didn’t want you pissed off.”
As he shovels more chips into his mouth, our waiter brings our lunch. Perfect timing. Hopefully food will ease the difficult topic a little.
“Can you tell me about Katherine?” I ask when he’s eaten half the mound of rice on his plate.
“Katherine?” Harry’s hand shakes, spilling some of the salsa he’s scooped up with a chip, but otherwise he doesn’t show any other reaction. “Someone from Tony’s past?”
“Come on. Your sister.”
“Why don’t you ask Tony?” His tone is unnaturally guarded. Almost hostile.
I pull back in surprise. I didn’t expect Harry to react with anger.
“Actually, it’s best you don’t ask him.” He runs a hand over his face. “Sorry I’m being a dick.”
Just how bad is it that even Harry wants to avoid talking about it? “If you tell me, you won’t be a dick anymore.”
He laughs dryly. “It happened a long time ago, and I was really young, so I might not remember everything.”
I bite my lip, guilt eating at me as dark shadows cross his eyes. To spare Tony, I’m putting an unfair burden on Harry. But it’s too late to take it back. “That’s okay.”
“Katherine was special. Mom loved her. We all did, Tony in particular. He was incredibly protective and really sweet to her. One time, one of the neighbors had a dog that got loose and attacked her. He fought it off before it could bite her. He was a tough bastard even back then.” Harry sighs heavily. “Mom approved of that because she knew she could count on Tony to keep Katherine safe. Out of us boys, he was always her favorite, and she never made that a secret.”
Hot anger curls in my chest. What kind of mom does that? I’m stunned that it didn’t make Edgar and Harry resent Tony. The affection they have for one another was so real at the engagement party.
His eyes sad, Harry continues, “But Katherine was Mom’s real favorite. Mom picked out that name, thought it suited the baby girl she desperately wanted. She had this plan—to raise Katherine as the most cherished girl with the sweetest disposition and a gentle demeanor. When her nanny tried to call her Katie, Mom got really upset. Said it was a silly, dumb name because Katherine was going to be special and grand. I didn’t understand her anger back then, but nobody ever said ‘Katie’ again. Thinking back on it, it’s obvious Mom wanted to construct a perfect life for our sister—to live through her.”
