“Will do, Skeeter.”

Skeeter closed the car door and led me to the back entrance. “Let’s get you in out of the cold, Lady.”

I hurried inside, not needing to be asked twice. When the door shut behind us, Skeeter pressed a hand on my lower back and leaned into my ear. “You’re late.”

“It couldn’t be helped.”

“What was so important it kept you from my meeting?”

I considered making up an excuse, but went for the truth instead. “I was playing Bingo.”

I expected anger, so I wasn’t prepared when he burst out laughing. “You were playing Bingo?”

I nodded. “I needed an excuse for coming tonight, so I met Neely Kate and her granny there.”

Merriment filled his eyes. “I didn’t know you were a gambling woman, Lady.”

Bingo didn’t seem like gambling, but I supposed he was right. “I’m not usually. I like the safe path.”

His eyebrows hitched and he gave me a quizzical look. “Lady, you are anything but safe.” Stopping outside the conference room door, he gave me a stern look. “I’ll introduce you, but as before, let me do all the talking,” he said in an undertone. “I’ll probably have you talk to one or more of the guys individually, but we’ll figure out the how of it after the meeting.”

I pushed out a breath, fighting a rush of anxiety. “Okay.”

He leaned into my ear again. “You’ll do great, and Jed will join us in a moment to be your bodyguard.” He paused. “If things go south, get the hell out. You understand?”

“Do you expect things to go south?”

“No. But it’s always good to be prepared.”

“Like a boy scout.”

He chuckled. “I am the furthest thing from a boy scout.”

He pushed the door open, revealing three men arranged around a table. I recognized Seth Moore from before, but the other two men were unfamiliar. “Gentlemen,” Skeeter drawled. “I’d like to introduce you to the Lady in Black.”

“Good evening, gentlemen,” I said as I sat in the chair Skeeter had pulled out for me.

Seth Moore nodded in response, a grin plastered on his face. We’d had our own individual meeting in December and he’d made it perfectly clear he’d like to get to know me better.

Skeeter made a sweeping gesture with one arm. “Lady, you remember Seth Moore. Meet Howey Sommers and Scott Humphrey.”

Howey looked like he was in his forties. He was compact in size and shape, with dull black hair and some deep-set wrinkles on his forehead. Scott was younger, brown-haired, and probably in his thirties. A toothpick hung out of his mouth. His eyes were hard and focused on me. I wondered if I should offer them my hand, but they didn’t seem like the kind of guys who gave handshakes.

The door opened as Skeeter sat down, and Jed entered and took the chair next to mine.

Skeeter placed his forearms on the table and held out his hands. “Gentlemen, I think you know why I’ve invited you tonight, so let’s get to the heart of the matter. Gentry is still runnin’ loose and the sheriff’s department seems to be chasing their tails. It’s no secret he’s got it out for me. Gems was just one of his multiple attempts to chip away at my empire.”

Howey Sommers leaned back in his chair, taking a casual stance, but I noticed his jaw was tight and his fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Your empire ain’t been your empire for all that long, Malcolm. Maybe Gentry thinks he has a legitimate claim to it.”

“I paid my dues in blood, sweat, tears, and money. I’ll take on any man who challenges that.” Skeeter’s voice came out in a low rumble.

“So you aim to take Gentry on?” Scott Humphrey asked, taking the toothpick out of his mouth and spinning it around in his hand. His gaze turned to me, or more accurately, my cleavage.

Skeeter stood and leaned over, placing his palms on the table now. “I aim to defend what’s mine.”

Howey shifted in his seat. “Gentry’s gathering men from Columbia County. They want a stake here, and he intends to give it to them.”

“That’s a mistake,” Skeeter growled. “Once you start selling it all off, it loses its value ten-fold.”

I wasn’t sure what it was, but I could tell every man in the room, with the exception of Jed, wanted it.

“What about her?” Humphrey flicked his hand toward me. “She’s from Louisiana, ain’t she? At least Gentry wants to keep it in state.”

Skeeter’s arms tensed and I was worried things were about to go south. The time to sit here quietly had passed.

I leaned forward. “You’re missing a vital difference, gentlemen.”

Skeeter gave me a look that wasn’t exactly warm and cuddly, but I forged on anyway.

“And what’s that, little lady?” Humphrey asked.

“Those boys from Columbia County want all the money to ultimately end up in their county. They’ll rake y’all over the coals to get a profit. I, on the other hand, plan to leave my investment in Fenton County. I realize it’s in my best interest for Mr. Malcolm’s business to flourish.”

“So what’s in it for you?”

“A healthy dividend that doesn’t harm Mr. Malcolm’s empire, so I can keep making a profit off it for years to come. Consider me a bank.”

“Oh, I get it.” Humphrey started laughing. “You’re screwin’ ’im.”