Intoxicated By You_An Exposed Hearts Novel

by Kristin Mayer

  In one swift move, I jumped over the bar, taking them by surprise. “Get his wallet. I need to ID him and make sure he’s twenty-one.”

  Roughly Kane brought Dixon out of the chair. “Hand me your wallet.” Dixon didn’t move. “I’m not asking again. Mariah is one command away from tearing into you. I suggest you cooperate.”

  Hell, Kane is a scary motherfucker. Dixon pulled out his wallet and Kane tossed it to me. I pulled out his driver’s license. “Looks like you’re legal, Dixon Samuel Hennington.” He said nothing. The Samuel part stuck out to me. “Samuel? Sam? The same Sam who supplied Teagan with drugs?”

  “You can’t prove anything,” he spat.

  Chazz shifted, and Hayden put his hand on his shoulder. “Let’s stay comfy in our chairs. We have front-row tickets to the show.”

  I decided to bluff. “No, I can’t. But the witnesses at Teagan’s apartment can. They identified a man who seems to resemble you quite a bit.”

  With a sinister smile, the calculating man reappeared. “You have no such thing. There are no witnesses.”

  Asshole. He was good, but I was better after hiding my feelings for two years. “You sure about that? Think really hard; there wasn’t one time you might have slipped or left something behind?” I turned to Chazz. “You’ll go down as an accomplice.”

  Chazz held up his hands. “Let’s be reasonable. We can work this out. Dixon needs the land.”

  “Shut up, you idiot,” he yelled.

  Chazz turned to him. “I am not going down for this. You promised.”

  “They have nothing. And shut the fuck up!”

  “You sure about that?” Kane crossed his arms over his chest, and Mariah inched closer. “I hear prison isn’t very fun. They don’t do that froufrou food you had at the party. More like Spam, I would guess.”

  Chazz looked so aghast it was almost comical. For the first time, I saw hesitation in Dixon’s eyes as he scanned our faces. Chazz grew more fidgety. Dixon took a step back, and Mariah snarled.

  “I wouldn’t piss her off. I don’t think she’s had dinner,” I said.

  “What are you going to do? Take me out to the woods and bury me?” He laughed. “This is getting ridiculous.”

  I pulled out my phone. We’re not getting anywhere. It was time for another approach. I dialed, and Roy picked up on the third ring. “Well, this can’t be good. Normally you don’t call me late at night unless there’s been a disturbance.”

  “Hey, Roy. Can you come by the Red Onion? I’d like to report a disturbance.”

  I could hear papers rustling in the background. “Sure, what’s going on? Welcome party leave Bernie and Mac three sheets to the wind?”

  Yeah, those two were normally the reason. “Not this time. It’s Chazz and Dixon Hennington. I think you should come over.”

  “Sure,” he answered hesitantly.

  Dixon pulled out his cell phone, but Kane grabbed it. “I don’t think so, asshole.”

  “I’ll have my lawyers pull your tapes, and I’ll own this piece of shit establishment and everything else you hold dear.”

  Again, Kane chuckled and held up his finger. “Wouldn’t you know it? When I took Alexa back to the office to do the books, I decided to turn off the camera so I could back up what we had. Funny how that worked out.”

  In the next instant, Dixon swung, and Kane froze, allowing Dixon’s fist to connect with his face. Mariah was barking, but Kane held his hand out. Good thinking, Kane. I grabbed my glass. “Looks like we’ll have the shiner to prove the disturbance now. Thanks, Dixon. A toast?”

  He remained silent.

  “No? Well I’ll toast to putting your ass behind bars.”

  The lights from the police car flashed out front, and I headed outside to see if I could get Roy to buy us some time. Technically, we still had nothing. “What happened?”

  “Dixon swung at Kane. He wants to press charges.”

  Roy shook his head. “Shit. Are you sure you want to go down this road? I pulled Chazz over for drunk driving last year, and his lawyers had him sprung in no time.”

  Here goes nothing. “Yeah, I need another favor.”

  “What?” Roy leaned around me, looked inside, and let out a sigh.

  Well, he probably wasn’t going to like this next request either. “I need you to postpone letting them make any calls and keep them separated.”

  “What?”

  “Dixon is behind the drugs with Teagan. And I think they’re connected to Lloyd’s death. I think he’s behind a company trying to buy up our land named Milano Incorporated, as well.”

  “Son, listen—”

  “I’ll have the proof in two hours. I just need you to stall. Get Travis over here and take them to the police station separately.”

  “Drake,” he warned.

  This was our only hope. If they went free now, we’d never catch them. They would completely cover any and all tracks. And I’d have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. If they went free, Dixon would get his revenge, and it would be aimed at Lex.

  That. Could. Not. Happen.

  “Roy, I’ve never asked you for a favor, but I’m asking for one now. Dixon and Chazz were at my place, trying to break in, a week ago. Mariah got the scent and identified them tonight, but I know a dog’s ID won’t hold up. So I need to get you the proof. And there’s probably more that I don’t know about.”

  He shifted his weight. “You have two hours. After that, I have to give them their call.”

  “Deal.”

  Roy called Travis in. After a couple of minutes, he pulled up, and Roy explained what was going on. Travis looked me in the eye. “All bullshit aside, you really think he was involved with Teagan?”

  Thank goodness he wasn’t going to give me grief. The last thing I needed was some stupid age-old misunderstanding to get in the way. I looked him straight in the eye. “Yeah, I do. And if we don’t do this right, he’ll get away with who knows what.”

  Travis and I hadn’t gotten along in years. Lex had reminded me that Travis had dated Teagan in junior high. I knew he’d been trying to track her down. Maybe he wouldn’t be a prick. I pressed on. “I think he’s our only chance at finding Teagan. Two hours. We have to keep the lawyers from springing them or letting them communicate with anyone.”

  “Done,” Travis said. “You have two hours. Make them count.”

  “I will.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Drake

  We pulled up to Chazz and Raquel’s home. It looked like Irene wasn’t there, which was good. If she wasn’t, it gave us more of a chance to catch Raquel off guard. Lex hadn’t said much after I filled her in. She seemed almost numb. Normally, I’d have given her a little more time to process, but we didn’t have that much time left. We’d already spent too much time going over what we knew.

  But I was worried. This was how she’d been when her dad died—withdrawn and uncommunicative.

  Hayden and Kane had come as well. No one moved to get out of the truck until Lex did. She stared at the front door. I felt the pressure of the clock ticking. We only had an hour and a half left. Finally, after about five minutes, Lex said, “I want to be the one who confronts her.”

  “I’ll go in with you.”

  She nodded and got out of the truck. Kane and Hayden got out, as well. Before Lex hit the doorbell, a cop car pulled up and Travis got out of the car. Hell, what is he doing here? I had a sinking feeling that somehow, they’d been set free.

  “I figured you might need me to take a statement on the spot. Chazz and Dixon have been confined into separate places at the station. Roy is stalling.”

  Thank fuck. I released a breath and extended my hand. “Thanks.”

  “I want to be the one to confront Raquel,” Lex said to Travis. “Then you can do whatever is necessary.”

  I asked, “All right. How do you want to do it?”

  “Kane and Hayden stay out here. You and Travis come with me.”

  No one argued,
and Lex pressed the doorbell. The same woman in the black-and-white uniform answered. “Please tell my sister I’m here. And she’s going to want to see me. It’s about Chazz.”

  The woman’s eyes grew wide, and she nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  It was only a few minutes before Raquel opened the door. “What’s going on?”

  “Can we come inside to talk?” Lex asked in a cold, distant tone.

  Travis stayed behind and said something in his mic.

  Raquel screeched, “What’s going on? Is Chazz okay?”

  Before Lex could answer, Travis walked in, saying, “May I?”

  Nodding, Lex gave the floor to Travis. “He’s in police custody,” Travis said as he stepped further into the foyer. “I just got word that he’s willing to testify against Dixon. If you don’t want to join your brother-in-law, you need to tell us what’s going on.”

  Her face contorted. “What are you talking about?”

  Her denial fueled Lex’s anger, and I saw my girl coming back. She was ready to fight. “Dad’s death. The letter. The land. His will. Milano Incorporated. Teagan. Montgomery.”

  The blood drained from her face. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I’m going to press charges. And you’ll be in jail for the rest of your life as an accomplice. Travis, do we have enough to book her?”

  “Yes.”

  Well, that was a lie, but hopefully Raquel was buying it.

  She took a few steps back. “I don’t want to go to jail.”

  “Then tell me what happened, Raquel.”

  She pursed her lips. “I need you to swear you won’t press charges.”

  Everything was getting convoluted. I wasn’t sure if Chazz was actually testifying. But this might be our only hope to get anything on the brothers. Lex knew this, and she glanced at Travis. He gave a slight shake of his head. So Chazz hadn’t said anything yet. Lex closed her eyes, and I knew it killed her to say, “I won’t press charges.”

  Raquel’s face was ashen. “You can’t send me to jail. I had the letter written.”

  “What?” we asked in unison.

  Raquel started getting more hysterical, pointing at Lex. “When your dad died, I figured why not make you more miserable. Why not take away the man you loved, too? Turns out you had it all. My father is a drunken fisherman from Ketchikan. You had it all. And I hated you for it.”

  “You tried to ruin my life.”

  There was no sign of remorse when she responded, “Yes.”

  Irene walked in through the front door. “What is going on? Why are the police here?”

  Oh no. If Raquel kept talking, Mom might make her stop. We needed to separate them.

  Travis walked over to Raquel. “I need you to come with me. There are questions about Dixon and Chazz Hennington’s involvement and how much you knew about it that I need answered. You’ll need to make an official statement.”

  “Yes, okay. No charges, right?” Raquel looked at Lex.

  For Lex, it must have been a bitter pill to swallow. “I’ll keep my word as long as you keep yours. Tell Travis everything you know.”

  She nodded.

  Travis and Raquel walked silently to the car, but Irene followed them, yelling questions. Travis didn’t pause to answer her; instead, he helped Raquel into the back of his cruiser.

  The car pulled out, and I laid my arm on Lex’s shoulder. “You ready to go home?”

  “Yes.”

  As we made it to the doorway, Irene stormed back in with a wild look in her eyes, and I stiffened. “What did you do? Why are the police here to take Raquel?”

  She took a few steps toward us, and I stepped in front of Lex. “I suggest you keep your distance. If Lex wants to talk to you, she will. If she doesn’t, we’ll be leaving.”

  Now it was up to Lex how this played out.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Alexa

  Emotions were welling up inside me, and I was on the edge of completely losing it. Raquel had forged the letter, but I wasn’t sure what else she had done. Was she involved in Dad’s death? There were so many unanswered questions and no concrete proof. Everything hinged on her statement. The guys said that Chazz might turn on his brother, but I wasn’t sure.

  And now my own mother was looking at me with pure hatred.

  “What have you done?”

  “Did you know about the letter Raquel had forged?”

  Suddenly, she was silent.

  I was fuming at Raquel’s admission. My own mother. “Why do you hate me so much? I don’t get it. I’m your child, too.”

  “Because your father was going to leave me. I had to get pregnant to keep him. And once you came into the world, nothing else mattered. You were just the means to keep a roof over Raquel’s head.”

  Her words were like a slap in the face, and I visibly recoiled. No more. This woman would not hold any power over me anymore. Yes, I was crushed, but I wouldn’t be her pawn. Never again. “You tricked Dad into marrying you?”

  “It was him or the broke fisherman who drank himself into oblivion. The choice was simple.” There wasn’t an ounce of remorse in her. None. If she had to do it again, I knew she would.

  It was time to set things straight. “You have two choices.”

  “Who are you to speak to me? I’m your mother.”

  “No. No, you aren’t. You never have been. I’m sure the prosecutors can figure out a way to tie you into this mess. You knew about the forgery, so I’m sure I can press charges against you. To save her own skin, I’m sure Raquel will let us know what part you played in all this.”

  She gasped.

  “I will keep my word to Raquel, but you weren’t part of that deal. It would be terrible for Raquel’s mother to be in jail. I bet she’d have a hard time finding anyone suitable if Chazz leaves her.”

  If the woman could have killed me with the fire in her eyes, she would have.

  “What do you want?”

  “The B&B.”

  “This is extortion. It is rightfully mine.” She slammed her fist on the table.

  “No, it’s not. You tricked Dad into marrying you. He never added your name to the deed. He revised his will and left it all to me.” I shrugged. “It’s your choice. Let me know what you decide.” Turning to Drake, I said, “Take me home.”

  “Of course. Let’s go, Lex.”

  We made our way to the door. Maybe what I was doing was wrong, but I wanted them out of my life. And I wanted things to be as Dad had intended.

  “Alexa, stop.”

  I kept walking.

  “Fine! You can have it.”

  I turned around and looked at her, but I felt no emotion toward her. For years, she’d done nothing but hurt me. Going forward, she would no longer have the satisfaction. “Get it settled tonight. I don’t care what you have to do.”

  “I’m your mother. You can’t treat me like this.”

  Mother. The word tasted sour in my mouth. “No, you were the woman who gave birth to me. I don’t have a mother.”

  And with that, I walked out the door without a glance back.

  * * *

  Back at the cabin, I sat in front of the fire, leaning against Drake’s side for warmth. Since we’d gotten home, a bone-deep chill had set in. The reality of everything hadn’t fully hit me yet.

  The entire Foster clan had been out here to check on me. Amie and Ike brought food and simply sat with me. I hadn’t said much, but even Hayden and Kane hugged me before they left. I loved them with everything I had. If it weren’t for the Fosters, I would be lost.

  While everyone had been here, my mother brought the paperwork to have the B&B transferred to me. Hollis had his lawyer look it over and validate it. I stared at the papers where they sat on the ottoman. The Fosters were following Mom back to make sure the locks got changed tonight. Tomorrow Hayden, Ike, and Amie were going to oversee Mom moving out of the house to make sure no damage was done. Mom… the word now felt unfamiliar to me.


  It was done. “I can’t believe I have it back.”

  Drake squeezed me. “It’s where it should be. I’m glad you got it back. What are you going to do with it?”

  “I don’t know. I love our home. Maybe I’ll find someone who wants to run a B&B. I’ll need to find someone to help keep it up during the winter. We’ll figure it out.”

  “Yes, we will. Whatever you need, baby. I’m here.”

  “And I love you for it.”

  Earlier, Hollis’s lawyer had said if anyone admitted to knowing the will had been changed, I might have a shot at getting the land back. It was a long shot, but I kept hoping.

  “How are you holding up?”

  That was the question of the hour. “I don’t know. I’m hurt, but not surprised. I’m relieved, but sad. It’s like there’s an opposite emotion for everything I’m feeling. But I’ll sort through it. And I want to know what’s going on. I mean, if they figure out we really don’t have any hard evidence, they’ll go free.”

  I wanted justice for what had been done.

  Knock.

  Knock.

  Knock.

  Drake got up. “Let me see who this is.”

  I looked at the clock; it was late. Way too late to have visitors. Drake greeted whoever it was warmly, which meant it was a good visitor.

  Travis walked in and I shot up. “Is now a good time? I wanted to give you guys an update in person.”

  “Come on in. Have a seat.” I motioned to the empty chair.

  A knot formed in my stomach, and my heart beat double time. Travis took a seat in the big overstuffed chair. “Alexa, how are you doing?”

  “I’m processing.”

  “Understood. Well, I wanted to update you—off the record, of course. It’s been a shitstorm at the station.”

  Is that good or bad? It was hard to read the situation. Drake took a seat beside me. The warmth of his body comforted me. “What happened?”

  He took a deep breath. “Chazz turned on Dixon, confessing to everything in exchange for immunity. Raquel corroborated his story—at least the part she was aware of—in exchange for immunity, as well.” Pausing, he raked his hands through his hair. “We had to make the deal. At this point, there’s no physical evidence, and we needed the witnesses to make sure Dixon went to jail.”