Page 103 of Forget That Guy
“That’s him,” I agreed. “Y’all don’t know him?”
“Never seen him before,” Denver and Boone parroted.
“That’s because he’s not from around here.” The older man, Silas, came in.
Sawyer was with him, face grave.
“That man is an ex-Dixie Warden member from the Tuscaloosa Chapter. He took off before the president down there could take his cut. Got excommunicated because of dog fighting.”
“Whoa,” I breathed. “And he just came up here?”
“Looks like he was going anywhere that had a club presence, that was as far away from his old club as he could get. He wasn’t trying to join the club here, it turns out. Just assimilate a bit. Use the Dixie Warden connection to get a dog fighting ring up and running.”
“Why expose himself today?” I wondered. “He could’ve just left, and no one would’ve known.”
“Gambling addiction,” Silas answered. “His old club president said that he was addicted to gambling. Also, spoke with the dude still in jail because no one will touch his bond. Turns out, the man, Errol Fuller, wanted his dogs back so they could start a new ring. Intended to get them out himself, but didn’t realize that the dogs weren’t in that unit.”
“So where is he now?”
“In the wind.” Gentry came into the conversation. I hadn’t even realized he was here. “Black and I went for a visit at the local hotels. Found him in a long-term rental in Jawbone. But he’s gone. Stuff is gone, too.”
“Fuck,” Silas grumbled. “We’ll find him.”
“You think he’s gone?” I asked.
“If he was smart,” Silas answered.
I didn’t have the same feeling.
We’d just have to wait and see, I guessed.
Another coughing fit started, and Denver caught my hand. “Let’s get you to the house and showered.”
“Actually, I was going to suggest you stay here from now on.” Boone’s eyes gleamed as he pointed at the room that he’d built out with a little apartment inside for those kennel attendants that were here overnight. “I was talking it out with Nettie, and we figure we’d give you first dibs on the apartment in case you want to stay here. It has a working shower.”
The way that Boone said that made me frown. “I have a working shower at Denver’s place…but it does make sense to be closer to my job…”
“On that note.” Silas clapped Denver on the shoulder. “We’re heading out. We’re sorry we couldn’t stay longer,” he declared. “We’re going to head home and coordinate from there. We’ll find your guy, Denver. He won’t get away with this.”
“Thanks, man,” Denver said, sounding livid.
I didn’t blame him.
A man had come into his town and pretended like he belonged, using the Dixie Warden name to get a leg up. I would be pissed, too, in his situation.
Boone’s eyes were dancing with mirth when he said, “Get her home and showered, Denver.”
I glanced between the two men and decided to ignore them and walked over to Sawyer.
“I’m so sorry that this meeting didn’t go better.” I hugged her. “If you want to shower, you can come to Denver’s place.”
“We’re good. I’m not that smoky anymore after I dunked my hair into the hose outside. Plus, we’re going to be riding the rest of the night anyway. I’m glad you’re okay, Holly.”
I hugged her tighter and let her go.
I waved at Silas, and he winked. “Don’t be too hard on him.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
