“Sergeant Morehouse, I didn’t ask for, nor do I appreciate, your advice on how I should do my job. I suggest you put this zeal into keeping yours.”
“You don’t have the balls to fire me.” The superior look he gave her sent a prickling of unease over her. He knew something she didn’t, or he had someone higher than her in his pocket. But if that was the case, why hadn’t he been promoted instead of her? She hated politics. Unfortunately, they seemed to follow the job like gnats on a herd of caribou.
She advanced around the desk, never taking her eyes off his. “You have no idea how big my balls are. But I’d measure them against yours any day of the week. Might want to do some research before you decide to take me on. Now get back to work.”
She watched him struggle, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Part of her relished the prospect of him making a move, the other wished he’d just do what she said. She’d studied his file, and he was a good officer, if a bit hot-headed. There was a lot to admire about him on paper. In person, she found him lacking.
Morehouse made a decision and turned around to leave. He came up sharp when all the officers in the outer office were caught staring at them through her office windows. Their voices had probably been loud enough to travel through the thin glass too. Regardless, the place was full of police officers. They could read the body language.
“Nothing to see here,” Sergeant Morehouse barked as he opened the door. The office was suddenly busy with phone calls, paper rustling, and the clickety-clack of keyboards.
Seana watched for a minute before turning back to her desk. How long would it take the other officers to accept her? She had no connections to Dutch Harbor—Unalaska, damn, she had to get that down—and this tight-knit community didn’t want her here. They wanted one of their own as Deputy Chief.
They wanted Aaron Morehouse.
Somehow she had to change their minds. No way could she return to Fairbanks a failure.
Treat laid on the cot, fingers locked behind his head and ankles crossed, looking up at the ceiling. He was dog-tired, but he couldn’t sleep without his bed rocking under him. It was good to be in port as he needed supplies, and there was only so much of the Bering Sea he could take before her bad mood made his sour. Besides, it was good to feel the earth under his feet, talk to more people than just his crew, and eat a medium-rare steak. But what he needed in the worst way was to lose himself in the warmth of a woman’s body. If he wasn’t released from this cell, that wouldn’t be happening any time soon.
Too bad Naomi and Anya had to get possessive. His number one rule was ‘no attachments’. Keep it light-hearted and fun for all. Being tied to him was no life for a woman. He was at sea more than in port, as the sea was his first and probably his only love. The way she cradled him in her gulley, tossed him with her waves, bathed him with her bounty and teased him into cursing her name was more than any woman out there could compete with.
Keys jangled in the lock. Treat raised his head and found the delicious Deputy Chief springing open his cage.
“Come on, you’re being released.” Her prim and proper voice had him snapping to a sitting position.
“Why?” What if he didn’t want to be released?
“What do you mean ‘why’?” She frowned, which made her look adorably grumpy.
“Why am I being released?” He slowly got to his feet and sauntered her direction. “I’m guilty. I realized, lying here, that you were right. I should be punished.” And I’d like you to do the punishing.
“Stop.” She held up her hand to add emphasis. “I’m not the kind of woman who falls for your kind of bullshit.”
“I got that impression loud and clear.” He rubbed his wrists where her cuffs had bitten into him. Her eyes followed his movements and her frown deepened. “Why don’t you let me buy you dinner? I think we got off on the wrong foot today. There’s much more to me than you’ve seen so far.”
“So I’ve been told,” she muttered.
He quirked a smile. “Who came to my defense? Mina? You know she was sweet on me back in high school. We did make an impressive senior prom couple. The Mayor? He owes me for that last game of poker. No? Ah, it was Morehouse, wasn’t it?” He didn’t need confirmation as the flash in her eyes spoke loud enough. “I bet he was an ass about it too. Don’t pay him any mind. His nose is bent out of joint, what with you getting the job he thought was his. Give him a little time. He’s bound to come around.”
“You don’t seem to have a problem with me as Deputy Chief.” She cocked her head to the side. “Why?”
“I like surprises.”
“I don’t.”
Yeah, he bet she was all by-the-book and needed someone like him to help loosen her up. “Well, then you’d better get to know all about me, so there can be no surprises between us.”
“Tell me, Mr. Devereux—”
“Call me Treat.”
“—do women really fall for your lines?”
“No one casts a better line than a fisherman.”
The corner of her mouth twitched. “You’re released. No charges filed. Be careful who you piss off, and keep your…personal affairs from disturbing the public, or you’ll find yourself right back in here.”
“You ever live in a small town before?”
“Yes. So, I know it can be done. With a bit of discretion and making your intentions clear upfront, this could have all been avoided.”
“I’m always clear with my intentions. Some women just find me irresistible.”
“Oh, I’m sure you think they do,” she said sarcastically.
“Come on, let me buy you dinner and I’ll show you why. I’ve heard that law enforcement officers are insatiably curious.”
“Not all of us. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a lot of work to do and you’ve already taken up a good portion of my day.”
“Ouch.” He covered his heart. “That was a direct hit.”
“Good day, Mr. Devereux. Don’t cause any more problems while you’re in port.”
“Yes, Deputy Chief.” He let her walk away from him, enjoying how her shapely backside wore a uniform that didn’t usually flatter a woman’s figure. But the Deputy Chief made the uniform work for her as he figured she bent most things to her will. “Deputy Chief?”
She stopped, squared her shoulders and turned back to him. “Yes?”
“Any chance I could hitch a ride back down to the docks?”
“I’ll call you a cab.”
“Unalaska isn’t really big enough for a cab company. Plus, it’s the nice thing to do, since you made me come all the way up here to begin with.”
“Seriously?” She gave him a look of disbelief. “Any friends you could recruit?”
“Morehouse still around?”
“He’s out on a call. I heard you and Mina are friendly. I’ll talk to her.”
“Not a good idea. Have you met her husband? He’s as big as a barn with sledgehammers for fists.” He rubbed his jaw in memory. “Neither I nor Mina need that kind of grief.”
“There’s no one else you can call? Crewmen? Friends or family?”
“My crew is unloading the catch. I’d be there helping if you hadn’t arrested me.” He laid the guilt on thick enough that she finally gave in with a disgruntled sigh.
“Fine. Give me a few minutes to wrap up some things.”
He flashed a satisfied smile when she gave him her back.
Chapter Three
Spending more time in Treat Devereux’s company was not a good idea. He was just the type of treat to tempt her to indulge and then probably overindulge. She’d always had a weakness for a man who worked with his hands. When she’d cuffed him, she’d gotten a good look at his scarred and calloused palms. Combined with his sea-green eyes, coffee-colored hair and teasing smile, he was the type of man Seana always kept at a distance.
Now she could kick herself for agreeing to drive Treat Devereux back to his boat. Why couldn’t he hold a grudge against her for incarcerat
ing him? The people she’d arrested had never asked her to dinner afterward.
Yep, Unalaska was turning out to have a bit of a learning curve.
“Want a cup of coffee while you wait?” she offered as they passed the break room.
“Has the coffee improved?”
“I can’t imagine it being worse.”
His laugh was melodious and teased her into joining him, until she realized what she was doing. She replaced the smile with a scowl.
“Oh now, you’re a real beauty when you smile,” Treat purred.
Her hand went up to ward him off. “If you don’t stop with the cheesy come-ons, I’m going to put you back in that cell.”
“Is it me you object to, Deputy Chief, or men in general?”
“There’s much about you to object to. You really aren’t helping your case by this continued nonsense.”
“Courting a woman is never nonsense.”
“We’re not courting. And who says ‘courting’ anymore? Have you checked into the current century?”
“We could be courting.”
“To what end? I am not your type.”
“Why don’t you let me decide that for myself? Besides, what’s wrong with getting to know each other? You’re new in town, so you probably don’t know many people. Developing friendships makes moving to someplace new easier and more rewarding. There isn’t much about the town to keep people here. The people keep each other here. I know everyone, and mostly—discounting Naomi and Anya—I’m generally liked by the populace.”
“That was a much better argument, but the answer is still no. Tell me, since this is such a small town, how did you not know Naomi and Anya were cousins?”
“Naomi moved here from Kodiak a few years ago. I just met Anya last time I was in port. We didn’t do a lot of talking.”
She rolled her eyes. “Have a seat. I’ll be ready to leave in about ten minutes.” She turned and headed toward her office.
Mina scurried in after her. “You let Treat go?” she whispered, looking behind her to see if anyone heard. As they were the only two currently in this part of the building, there was really no need to whisper.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I only arrested him to make a point. My point was made.”
“Huh. Interesting.” She tapped a finger to her lips.
Seana wondered how her finger didn’t come away with lipstick transfer. Mina’s lips were always painted to kissable perfection. Seana rubbed her lips together, feeling the absence of her mango-scented chapstick. She didn’t wear much makeup. As she worked with, and managed, a lot of men, prettying herself up could send the wrong impression. So she’d kept her dark hair pulled back and tightly secured. A little mascara to cover up the lightness of her eyebrow and lashes, and chapstick, which was more for protection against the elements than anything else, was all the attention she gave her appearance.
Mina, on the other hand, was ready for a photo-shoot with trendy clothes, designer frames, and highlighted blond hair that had her standing out in town like a lighthouse in a storm. Blond wasn’t a color seen much in Alaska’s small towns. Not when most of the population was Aleut, Unangan, Eskimo, Thai, Asian, Filipino, and Russian. Fishing was the main industry through the international port of Dutch Harbor. With that came processor workers from a multitude of countries, as Dutch Harbor was the largest fisheries port in the United States. Most were here for only a season, staying in the housing provided by the processors and not venturing into town, as they tended to work around the clock.
Mina didn’t seem to have any problem bringing attention to herself. For a moment, Seana wished she could feel that free with her appearance.
“Did Treat ask you out yet?” Mina asked.
“A few times,” Seana mumbled, turning her attention to the files on her desk. She started gathering up what she’d planned to work on that night.
“Are you going to say yes? He’s a real treat.” She snickered. “See what I did there?”
Come on, really? “I won’t be going out with Mr. Devereux.”
“Ooh, Mr. Devereux.” Mina faked a shiver. “I’ve never heard of him referred to like that before. So formal. Makes him even sexier.”
Sexy or not, the man was trouble. “Is there a problem, Mina?” The tone of her voice wiped off Mina’s teasing smile.
“Uh, no. No problem.” Mina backed up a few steps.
Suddenly Seana felt horrible. Here Mina was being friendly for the first time since Seana had arrived, and she’d gone and shot her down.
“Is there anything else you need from me today?” Mina asked, the lightheartedness replaced by a more clipped voice. “Lara will be showing up soon. If you have any instructions, I can pass them on.”
“No instructions. Just carry on as usual. You both have my cell if you need me for anything.”
“Got it, Deputy Chief.” Mina had been backing away toward the open doorway during the stilted portion of their conversation.
“Thank you, Mina.” Seana returned her attention to the files, mentally kicking herself for not handling that better. A few minutes passed before Treat’s voice washed over her.
“So it isn’t just me.”
She looked up and found Treat leaning against her open doorjamb. “Excuse me?” But she already knew what he was referring to. He must have overheard her conversation with Mina.
“Come on, Deputy, you must have some stellar detective skills to be where you are. Detect. Tell me, what happens to the new Deputy Chief who has something to prove?” He didn’t wait for her answer. “She’s so busy proving it that she alienates the people she’s there to serve and protect. When they need help, are they going to call her first? Or someone they’re more comfortable with? Like Aaron Morehouse, perhaps.”
She hated that he was right, and yet surprised that he could read her so easily. He knew nothing about her, and she’d underestimated him. He was obviously very good at reading people, and she needed to be better at hiding her emotions. Shooting Mina down the way she had was bad, and she needed to fix it—the sooner the better.
“Excuse me,” she said again, brushing past Treat where he still leaned against the door frame. She caught a whiff of the sea, dark and dangerous and tempting. “Stay here.” She didn’t want him eavesdropping again.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She arrowed a look at him.
“Yes, Deputy Chief.”
“Better.” A smile teased the corner of her mouth as she walked away from him. He was charming. Another reason to stay far away.
She found Mina in the break room, gathering up her lunch containers.
“Mina, can I talk to you?”
“Of course.” Mina straightened.
“I’m sorry for earlier. I’m not good with women.”
“But…you are a woman. How can you not be good with them?”
“Well, I work in a male dominated field, and sometimes the women I work with are manlier than the men.”
Mina nodded and seemed to relax a bit. “I’ve met a few of those.”
“I lost my mother when I was little and my dad raised me. Don’t get me wrong, he did a great job, but I never had many close relationships with women and because of that I don’t usually say the right things. Like earlier.”
Mina smiled. “Okay, good to know.”
“I’ve been one of the guys for so long, I’m surprised when I take a shower and see breasts.”
Mina choked on a laugh but sobered when she realized that Seana wasn’t joking. “Oh, honey. You need to come out with me and my gal pals. We call ourselves the Real Housewives of Dutch Harbor.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” Mina shook her head. “Tomorrow night down at the Cape Cheerful Lounge. You’ll get to hang with women who don’t have a problem with their breasts, and after a few Capt’s Buttered Rums you might even get a peek at Greta’s. She got a new set in Anchorage last trip to town and has been known to show them off given
the chance.”
“I’m not a housewife.”
“None of us really are. We all work, Courtney’s getting divorced and Britann is studying psychology online. There’s only one actual fulltime housewife, and Krista’s going to crack any minute if her man doesn’t give her some help with those six kids of hers.”
“Six kids.”
“Right?” Mina continued to spill about these women while Seana tried to hide the fear seeping inside her. What had she done? She didn’t know how to talk to women. Not unless it was to order them around.
Through the ringing in her head, Seana beat back the panic. She could do this. And she needed to meet the people of Dutch Harbor/Unalaska if she was to integrate herself into the community.
But good hell, The Real Housewives of Dutch Harbor? What would they talk about?
Chapter Four
Treat followed the Deputy Chief—or DC as he was beginning to think of her, since he’d yet to catch her name. Until he had something else to call her, DC seemed a good fit.
They were a Deadliest Catch town. It worked that they also had a Deadly Catch of a Deputy Chief. He cocked his head to appreciate the view better. He’d never thought of himself as an ass man, but she might have had him rethinking his fascination for breasts.
“Eyes off my ass, Devereux.”
He jerked his gaze off her comely backside and increased his stride to bypass her, reaching for the driver’s door to the police-issued SUV. At least she’d dropped the Mister. Could she be warming toward him?
“What are you doing?” She came to a complete stop and eyed him suspiciously.
“Opening your door.”
“I can open my own door.”
“My mother drilled in chivalrous ways until they became part of me. If you have a problem, you’ll have to take it up with her. But I don’t recommend it.” He held her door open and stepped aside to give her room to climb up into the seat. He refrained from offering her his hand to assist. She’d probably bite it off. When she got in, he wasn’t sure who was more surprised, him or her.
He shut the door and walked around the front of the vehicle as she turned over the engine. He jumped in and buckled up. She spared him a glance and then dropped the gear into reverse.
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