Last night, he’d taken another bite of the forbidden fruit. He’d done so in hopes that he’d appease his hunger. Only problem? Touching her again made the fire for her burn even brighter. She hadn’t been as good as he remembered. She’d been better. The way her body surrendered to him, heated for him so intently, responded to him so beautifully, caused him to want her again. And again. And again…until he extinguished the inferno between them.
He’d dug himself into a hole. Joss was an addiction he craved to feed, not cure. And that was a fucking problem.
“Hunt.”
Maddox glanced up, and his back straightened like a steel rod as Chief of Police, Eric Dalton, entered his office. He froze in his seat as rapid thoughts blasted through his mind. Part of him knew he had this coming. He’d touched someone he shouldn’t, and the chief would call him out on it. The stronger part of him said that Joss would never report him. She had far more to lose than he did, including her reputation. Maddox’s job was already established. Sure, the scandal would be a blow to his career for a little while, but he’d recover. Joss? It wouldn’t be so easy to repair the damage.
Dalton added, “Got a minute?”
“Yes, of course, sir. Good morning.” Maddox rose, offering his hand, prepared to defend his personal life.
As the chief took the seat in front of the desk, Maddox studied him, getting a read on his mood. Eric was a tall man with a soft middle. The years had been tough on his face, and his deep-set wrinkles around his eyes and forehead were likely both from the long years of police work and the cigarettes Maddox could smell wafting off him. While Chief Dalton held a tough exterior, his light blue eyes were soft and trusting and were likely why so many Seattleites respected him.
Once the chief got settled in the chair, he said, “I hear you had a party last night to celebrate the new rookies.”
Maddox paused, awaiting the reprimand. When it didn’t come, he answered, “I did. The party went well.”
Dalton gave an easy smile. “It’s a good tradition that you do. Keep it up.”
Maddox exhaled the breath he’d been holding and leaned back in his chair. The chief’s posture was casual and laid-back, telling Maddox nothing had been said to him. He watched as Dalton ran a hand over his eyes, and on a hunch, Maddox offered, “We have some fresh coffee, sir, if you’d like a cup.”
“It’s that obvious, huh?” Dalton asked with a heavy sigh. “It’s all right, Hunt. I’ve already had three cups. We have a situation brewing in the east, and it kept me up for a good portion of the night last night.”
Maddox noted the dark circles under the chief’s eyes, and while he had his suspicions about what the trouble was, he wouldn’t speculate. “Will the trouble impact us here in the west?”
“No, I don’t believe so.” Dalton rubbed his face once more and then lowered his hand. His eyes were troubled. “I’m assuming that you’ve heard the rumors circulating about Harvey Scott, the captain in the east?”
The department’s rumor mill had been in overdrive lately. From what Maddox had heard, Harvey was an alcoholic who was spiraling out of control after the recent death of his wife. The police had been called twice after Harvey’s drunken rage impacted the public. While Maddox hadn’t been sure if the rumors were true, the darkness in Dalton’s eyes confirmed that they were. Keeping his thoughts to himself, Maddox replied, “I’m not one to listen to the rumors, sir.”
“That’s good of you.” Dalton crossed his legs, resting his arms on the armrest. “However, sadly, in this case, the rumors are very much true. Things are a mess over there in the east, and it’s been an exhausting process trying to figure out which way to proceed.”
Maddox had questions, of course. It simply wasn’t his business to ask them.
Dalton’s face twisted as he drew in a long, deep breath before continuing. “The captain is making a fine ass out of himself, and last night, it appears the media might have gotten wind of it.”
“Not a good look for the department,” Maddox offered.
Dalton snorted. “I imagine you’re right about that. And I further suspect that no matter how much I’d like to give Harvey another chance, that right may even be stripped from me.” Regardless of his words, the chief’s eyes suddenly softened, and he stretched out his legs, crossing his ankles. “I’m sorry, Maddox, I didn’t come here to unload on you. Tell me, how is your father doing?”
Dad and Dalton had worked together as beat cops for a handful of years back in the day. “Health-wise, he’s doing well. His mind, however, is failing him.”