“But this place isn’t abandoned.”

“No. He owns it.”

Skeeter owned Robison Tire Recycling. That was news. It was common knowledge that it was owned by a corporation based in Texarkana. I suddenly wondered what other things I didn’t know about Skeeter.

“But that’s also on the do-not-share list,” Jed said with a grin.

“Maybe I should be taking notes,” I mumbled.

Jed texted Skeeter, then drove around to the back of the plant. Several cars were parked in the lot, and Jed pulled up next to the back entrance, parking parallel to the building. “Wait here.”

Within a few seconds, Skeeter emerged from the back entrance. He was dressed differently than he had been earlier. Tonight he had on a tight-fitting black T-shirt and dark jeans, along with a pair of boots. His dark beard was trimmed closely, so he only had a bit of scruff. He looked intimidating, which I supposed was his intention, but strangely enough, I found his appearance reassuring. Hopefully anyone inside that building would be worried about pissing off the man opening my car door.

“Lady,” Skeeter said formally as he helped me out of the car.

My stomach was a tangled mass of nerves. “Skeeter.”

“Everyone’s here. I want you come inside and sit next to me.”

“Okay.”

We walked down a long hallway, my four-inch heels clacking on the concrete floor.

He leaned in close to my ear. “You look stunning tonight.”

I waited for him to try to grope me, but he kept his hands to himself. “I’m still the outside business partner, Skeeter, not your current romantic entanglement. Don’t forget it.” I knew if he made any kind of advance on me in that room full of adversaries, I wouldn’t be able to smack his hand away. I had to set him straight before we went inside. “You’ll come off stronger if it doesn’t look like I’m only here because I’m sleeping with you.”

Stopping in front of a door, he grinned, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “And more’s the pity. But you’re right. Purely business it is.” His playfulness faded. “Are you ready?”

“I’m scared.” I wasn’t sure why I admitted it to him, but then again, I’d never applied for this position. I wasn’t trying to prove I was brave or worthy of it.

He took my hand and held tight, leaning closer to look through my veil. I could feel his breath on my face. “Nothing will happen to you tonight. Your safety and identity will be protected. I give you my word.” He paused. “And you know how I feel about giving my word.”

I took a deep breath and nodded, his sincerity sinking in. “Thank you.”

He tipped his head in acknowledgment and let go of my hand as Jed made his way down the hall toward us. “Showtime.”

He pushed the door open and entered the room, and I followed him inside. “Gentlemen, the Lady in Black has joined us.”

Over a dozen men sat in chairs around a large conference table. A dozen pairs of eyes landed on me, and my face grew hot under the scrutiny. Then I realized they were staring at my chest, and my cheeks got even hotter. I expected a few lewd comments—the men in this room didn’t look refined or gentlemanly—but they kept their thoughts to themselves.

“Lady, if you care to sit here,” Skeeter motioned to a chair by the head of the table.

Jed pulled it out, and after I sat, he scooted it in and took the empty seat on my left. Skeeter stood at the head of the table. The silence in the room was eerie.

“Gentlemen, now that Lady has arrived, we can begin our meeting.”

A guy with a bushy beard and beady eyes leaned his arm on the table and glared at Skeeter. “I still don’t get why she’s here.”

Skeeter returned his stare. “She’s here because I asked her to be here.”

“But what’s she do?” he pressed, leaning into the table more. “I’ve never seen or heard of her before the auction. What if she’s responsible for the bust?”

I felt Jed tense beside me, although his outward appearance was attentive but disinterested.

Skeeter planted his palms on the table, leaned over, and gave the man an intimidating glare. “Maybe we should look into the real cause of the bust. Where’s your paper with the code on it, Bear?”

A guilty look flooded the big man’s face.

Skeeter stood, a commanding presence with his six-foot frame and solid body. I’d never realized how muscular he was, but the shirt hid nothing. I was sure that was for effect too. “I know for a fact that several unauthorized papers with the code were in circulation before the auction. The sheriff’s department got hold of one of them. Jeff Dimler’s not in charge anymore, boys, and you best not forget it.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised that Skeeter knew that Joe was the one who was really in charge, but it felt surreal to hear him talking about my ex that way.

“I trust Lady, and each one of you knows that I don’t trust hardly anyone. If you have a problem with her being here, let me know right now.” Skeeter scanned the group, but everyone remained silent. “Good, then let’s get started.”

He sat in his chair at the head of the table, and the next half hour was filled with Skeeter asking the men to report on various aspects of his business. Drugs, theft, gun-running, moonshine—Skeeter ran an empire of more illegal activities than I wanted to know about. I resisted the urge to squirm in my seat. What in the world was I doing here? I was helping the very man Mason and Joe were justifiably trying to bring down. But I reminded myself I was here to find out who had tried to kill Mason. If I had to wade through filth, I would.