What the fuck? Chazz’s brother was here, drinking. Bold, cocky son of a bitch. Before I could say anything, he continued, “Seems like I’ve stumbled into enemy territory.”
I cocked an eyebrow, waiting to see if he said anything else. He was about five seconds from being cut off.
Grabbing his drink, he shook his head. “My tenacious sister-in-law may have mentioned you a few times today.”
Tenacious was being kind. I took another pull, trying to appear unaffected. “Probably.”
Dixon stood and threw down about five hundred dollars. Each drink ran about fifty dollars, so Crete would get a hefty tip tonight. Good. “I’ll leave. Normally, Chazz meets me in California to conduct our business, but I decided to check out Alaska this time around.” He shook his head as if the thought was a bad one. “I’m going to stay at the hotel tonight.”
I set my beer down. It was best to take the high road. Maybe it would piss off the fucker more that his brother drank at my bar, where he’d refused to deliver the liquor. “Stay. I’ve never been one for petty shit. But I do need to go and get back to my girlfriend.”
Dixon took a seat. “Thanks, I appreciate it. Raquel’s sister, right? Alexa, I think I heard today. I didn’t see her at the wedding in California.”
“Yeah, that’s her.” I changed the subject, unwilling to give him any fuel. “How long are you in town for?”
“Was going to stay for at least a couple of weeks. I hired a hunting guide for a couple of days from now. But I may go home early.”
It was hard to hide my smirk. “Kane? Is he your guide?”
“Yeah, he comes highly recommended. What they say is true… you really do know everyone in a small town.”
“It’s true. Kane’s my brother. He’s the best around here.”
“That’s what I heard from a friend in San Diego. We’re flying inland to fish the first day.”
When Kane flew places for a hunt, he refused to fly with anyone else but Hayden. In other towns, there were outfits similar to Hayden’s, but he had the larger business. “You’ll probably be riding with my other brother, Hayden.”
He drained his second glass. “Well, let’s remember that I’m not Chazz or Raquel.”
Chuckling, I responded, “Duly noted.” I rapped the counter three times. “Enjoy and stay as long as you want. Invite your brother in for a drink.”
His eyes widened momentarily. So he knew what the fucker had done. “Probably not a good idea. I’m sure you’ve heard by now about what he’s done.”
“I did. But I’m not a dick, so feel free to invite him. Have a good night. Crete, I’ll have my phone on if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
As I walked up the stairs, I called Kane. He answered on the third ring. “Yo.”
“How’s it going?”
He gave an agitated sigh. “Fine. They’re in their tents with their blow-up mattresses. I mean, who the fuck camps in the middle of the damn woods with a blow-up mattress?”
“City slickers?”
“Damn straight. Even had some auto pump thing. I swear I felt like a pussy just being in proximity to it.”
I gave a hearty laugh. “I’ll order you one for Christmas.”
“Ass. What did you call me for?”
“You taking a guy named Dixon out next week?”
He paused, thinking. “Yeah, one of the previous guys I took arranged it. He’s Chazz’s brother. Why?”
At least it was out in the open, which made me feel a little less wary of his intentions. “Just wanted to make sure you knew.”
“It’s been arranged for months. Shit, man, I’m sorry. I meant to tell you. Do you want me to cancel on him?”