I slid in next to him. “Make this quick, Skeeter. I have things I need to do.”
“It’s only ten-thirty. You can’t be rushing home to cook one of your dinners.” His eyes lit up in amusement.
I grimaced. “Very funny. What do you want?”
His smile faded. “I’ve got competition.”
“What does that mean?”
“I won the auction fair and square, but the way it ended left a bad taste in some people’s mouths.”
“You mean the bust?”
He shifted in his seat. “The fact that we won the bid and then the sheriff showed up immediately afterward—not to mention we got away . . . Well, some people think I set up it all up.”
I shook my head in confusion. “Why would you do that?”
“Although the auction itself wasn’t illegal—they had no proof of what was being auctioned—some of the people in that barn had outstanding warrants. It would be a great way for me to get rid of some of my enemies.”
“Did you set it up?”
He laughed. “What do you think?”
I studied him for a moment while thinking about what Mason had told me about Skeeter. “No. I think you’re smarter than that.”
He chuckled, crossing his arms as he eyed me. “Really? Why’s that?”
“You could have challenged Daniel Crocker long before he died—”
“Before you killed him,” he added, putting his hand on my knee.
He was right. Before I killed him. A fact I was trying my best to forget, despite Jonah and Mason’s insistence that I had to deal with it. I hadn’t wanted to kill Daniel Crocker, but he’d certainly deserved it.
“That’s right. And don’t forget it.” I gave his hand a hard shove.
Skeeter laughed. “Go on. What makes you think I’m smarter than my enemies realize?”
“You waited, bided your time until you could get Crocker’s business peacefully—well, as peacefully as is possible for you people. You won—fair and square, as you said—so why would you want anyone else to get arrested? It would only cause bad blood.”
“Aw . . .” he said, with a knowing tone. “And who would benefit from bad blood?”
I rubbed my forehead. “Is that why I’m here? To help you strategize? Do you really think that’s wise? After all, I’m going home to cook one of my dinners for the man who’s vowed to bring you down.” I gasped as I realized what I’d just admitted.
He laughed. Skeeter Malcolm was awfully jovial for a guy with so many people out to get him. “You haven’t told me anything I didn’t already know. Deveraux’s been after me for months.”
“Then why are you talking to me?” I asked in disbelief. “How do you know I’m not going to run to his office and tell him everything?”
A menacing gleam filled his eyes, making him look even more predatory than usual. His hand reached for my throat, and he rested it there, his thumb putting light pressure on my carotid artery. “Because I trust you, Lady.”
“What you’re doing now doesn’t suggest you find me trustworthy.”
“Habit,” he uttered in a low growl, but his hand stayed where it was.
Anger burned in my chest, overriding my fear. “Do you think threatening my life is goin’ to make me want to work with you, Skeeter Malcolm?” I shoved his hand down. “I thought we’d already established that wouldn’t work. I’m done here.” I reached for the door handle.
He grabbed my upper arm. “We are far from done here.”
And just like that the car faded, and I was in Skeeter’s office. I sat behind his desk, while Jed was sitting in the chair across from me.
“It’s not looking good. Rogers is turning,” Jed said, looking grim.
My fist slammed down on the desk. “Teach him a lesson.”
The vision ended, and I was back in the car. “Rogers is turning, and you’re gonna teach him a lesson.”
“What?” Skeeter’s grip on my wrist loosened, and his free hand turned my face to look at him. “Did you just have a vision?”
Still dazed, I nodded.
“What did you see?”
I was getting my wits back, and I jerked my arm from his grip. “Get your hands off me, Skeeter!”
“Tell me what you saw.”
“What happens if I don’t? Are you going to threaten me again? That’s a terrible way to do business.”
“I’m not messing around, Rose,” he spat through gritted teeth. “What did you see?”
“We need some rules before I tell you one more cotton-picking thing.”
He grabbed my arm again and pulled me closer. “Let’s not forget who has all the power here.”
I stared into his eyes, getting angrier by the minute. “Yes, let’s not.”
His grip tightened momentarily, then he released his hold and burst out laughing.
I rubbed my arm. “You are in serious need of some mood-altering drugs, Skeeter.”
He continued to laugh. “I like you, Rose.”
I scowled. “Too bad the feeling’s not mutual.”
He only laughed harder.