“Is he with the Forest Service, too?” I asked.

Taylor shook his head. “He’s a college kid. My brothers and I used to fight all the time—with the locals and later with the college kids who would come to our parties and start fights. One night, Tyler beat this freshman, Adam’s, ass at a frat party, and Adam approached him later about taking bets. From there, they started these floating underground fight rings at Eastern.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

Taylor breathed out a laugh, amused. “Yes, very. But Adam organized the fights well. No one would know about them until an hour before the fight, sometimes less. We made a lot of money, and we never got caught. Our younger brother Trent fought a few times when he was a freshman, too, but our baby brother, Travis, was the rock star. He was unbeatable. Never lost a fight.”

“He sounds lovely.”

Taylor lifted his chin, his expression one of pride. “He’s a badass.”

“Is he okay?” I asked.

His smug smile vanished. “The fights were held in the basements of campus buildings where a lot of kids would be crammed underground. Adam set up a spring break fight. It was the last fight of the year. Travis was set to make a shit-ton of money. Something happened. A fire broke out. A lot of kids didn’t make it out. Adam was arrested. I think Travis is being investigated.”

“Why?” I asked, dubious.

“I have reason to believe they sent someone here to get information from me, but I can’t confirm—at least, not yet. I know they think Travis had something to do with it.”

“Who’s they?” I asked.

He stared at the floor. “I’m not sure. The local police. Maybe the FBI.”

“Did he?” I asked. “Have something to do with it?”

He shifted nervously. “He was getting married that night. In Vegas.”

“So, that’s why there’ll be another wedding. Because they eloped.”

Taylor nodded, watching me for a moment. “What if I asked you to come with me? To their vow renewal?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’d say you were trying to change the subject. Just because I don’t expect you to keep your promises doesn’t mean you also get to lie to me.”

He didn’t take his eyes from mine. “I am. I’m lying to you. And I’ll lie to anyone asking questions.”

“You could go to jail.”

“I could go to prison.”

I pressed my lips together and then exhaled, letting the air fill my cheeks before it escaped. “You’re testing me. You still think I’m a spy or something.”

“I would go to prison for Travis. I just want you to know that if it came to that, we’d all go down for him, even his wife.”

“I believe you. But I’m on your side.”