Page 141 of Family Jewels

“If she’s your woman, then she’ll do as you say.”

“Let’s get this perfectly straight,” I said, walking between the tables. “I amno one’swoman. I amno one’sproperty or possession. I am my own person, and I don’t followanyone’sorders, including Skeeter Malcolm’s.” I stared Kip in the eye. “Have I made myself clear?”

“But Malcolm—”

“Is here because I insisted. I assure you, he’s just as unhappy about this as you are.”

The back door opened, and Kip and Buck jumped.

A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed my suspicion. “Glad you could join us, Jed,” I said. “Neely Kate’s going to check you for weapons.”

“What the hell?” he muttered.

“Do it,” James barked, and when he looked at me, the pride in his eyes made my heart skip a beat.

You are not affected by that man. He was going to use you.

Too bad my heart wasn’t listening.

Lordy, I really was a fool.

Neely Kate patted him down and removed two guns and two knives, setting them on the chair I’d dragged over.

“Gentlemen, take a seat.”

They all sat, although there were some grumblings, especially from Buck, but I wondered if some of his grumbles were a lingering effect of Neely Kate’s punishing grip.

“Okay,” I said, lowering the gun to my side. “Now that we’re all here, let’s set the rules. Rule number one: You will treat me with respect. You will get one warning, and then if there’s another instance, you will be removed from the meeting. Rule number two: in this room, tonight, you will treat each other with respect. You will not shout over each other. You will listen to what the other side has to say. You will be offered the chance for rebuttal.”

“What the hell is this? A damned presidential debate?” Buck demanded, finally able to speak. “I’m here for my damned necklace.”

“And you’ll get it when we’re done.”

“How do I know you even have it?”

“Neely Kate?”

She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out the gaudiest necklace I’d ever seen. “This proof enough?” she asked.

Buck reached for it. “Give me that.”

I pointed the gun at him again as she tucked it back into her pocket. “Like I said, you’ll get it when we’re done.”

The look in James’ eyes told me there was gonna be a skirmish over it. Had I been foolish to try this? Maybe so, but I had to give it a shot.

“I thought this was a damn parley,” Buck muttered. “What the hell are you doin’ with a gun?” He’d probably been chewing on that since Neely Kate had quieted him.

“How many weapons did Skeeter’s man pull off you when you came in?” When he didn’t answer, I lifted my eyebrows. “Well, there you go. I have a gun because I’m the mediator and it’s my job to make sure none of you kill each other. We’ll stay here as long as it takes to come to a resolution that keeps peace in this county.”

“I only agreed to an hour.”

“Well, then maybe you should start first,” I said, “because, as I said,no one’sleaving until you reach a resolution.” I decided to start with the lesser of the evils. “Kip. What’s your beef with Skeeter Malcolm?”

He started gabbing about how he wanted to expand his business to include prostitution, and while I had to bite my tongue—and reprimand James several times for interrupting—I let the man have his say.

I swiveled to face James. “Your turn.”

James told Kip he’d put a ban on prostitution after the deaths of two prostitutes in March. While they’d died of drug overdoses, he suspected their pimp was the one who’d provided them with lethal doses.

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