Page 7 of Anchor Point

But if seeing me affected her, I couldn’t tell. She moved past me, on to the next guy, like nothing had happened, and then launched into a speech.

Hearing her speak solidified any doubts I had, as the voice I’d heard gasp in ecstasy now covered bullshit department business.

Two things hit me at once.

This was not the same woman I’d spent my perfect week with. And I was fucked because my body remembered every minute of our time together.

Chapter Three

Olivia

Staring down the barrel of a loaded gun might’ve been easier than keeping my composure while coming face-to-face with my daughter’s father.

As it was, a bead of sweat rolled down the center of my back under his direct stare. I barely managed to contain the squirm that my body so desperately wanted.

Thankfully, I’d opted for the full power of the formal dress suit of fire chief. A stark white jacket that proudly bore my badge and deftly concealed my overactive sweat glands.

I’d worked my way through the ranks, and I knew the level of respect the uniform alone granted me. The rest I’d have to earn on my own.

Except, now, I faced off with the one man I thought I’d never see again. A man who’d haunted me every single day for nearly sixteen years.

And I couldn’t let on. Couldn’t let them see the shock that threatened to drop me to my knees, the fear that he would hate me once he knew the truth, the regret that things had turned out the way they had. I had to be professional and composed.

Focusing on the city manager while he spoke, I inhaled slowly through my nose and exhaled just as slowly, rubbing my finger over the warm metal of my thumb ring. As always, the movement calmed me.

This first meeting with my new command would set the tone. I needed to exude confidence and control, despite what was quickly becoming the worst moment of my life.

Cathy had thoughtfully prepared some homework for me. A file containing the headshots and names of the commanding officers that I hadn’t had time to fully review prior to the meeting. At that moment, I regretted not taking a moment to at least look it over. Maybe then the surprise of seeing him wouldn’t have rattled me so much.

And these men seeing me as anything other than in charge was unacceptable.

Mr. Bloom finished with his long-winded introduction, and it was time to face the men around the conference table.

“Thank you, Mayor Smith, Mr. Bloom. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the city of Newman.” It rankled to have to basically kiss ass, but it was smart to play nice on the first week of the job. I turned and addressed the men who would be working for me, my mask of HBIC—Head Bitch in Charge—firmly in place.

“Good morning. First, let me say thank you for coming and being on time. I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m sure you have a full day ahead of you, and this last-minute meeting probably challenged your plans.”

I glanced around the room, noting the body language of the four captains. Three sat at the table, one stood along the wall in front of an old-school dry-erase board. All had assumed some form of defensive pose. Arms crossed over chests, closed off.

I’d been correct in my assumption that they wouldn’t appreciate the inevitable disruption of their schedules. And some of these men no doubt had thought they’d be in this role, giving orders rather than taking them from someone else, much less a woman.

A girl could choke on the amount of testosterone in the room.

“Second, to answer the question I’m sure you have. Yes, I’m qualified for this role. I’ve got fifteen years of fire service. I’m a certified paramedic. I graduated at the top of my class with a fire science degree and completed my master’s in emergency management.”

The looks on their faces told me what I needed to know. Book smarts wouldn’t cut it, and they weren’t down with political games either.

“But my real mettle comes from a long family history in the fire service. My father was a fire chief and my grandfather before him. I grew up learning fire strategy and hearing about issues that departments face. In every department I’ve been a part of, I’ve completed the mandatory training that all personnel are required to have, including mandatory PT hours, and have been as much a part of change—improvement—as possible. I worked my way through the ranks to assistant chief at my former department by being a damn hard worker and being invested in the department. I have five life-saver commendations and twelve for bravery.” Even if they didn’t believe my words, maybe they’d realize my work ethic.

“I’ve been on the front lines. I’m not here to make your lives miserable. I’m here to support this department and make us the best we can be.”

From there, I dropped into a prepared speech about what my expectations were, ensuring them that I would not change their current operating procedures unless I knew of a better way to handle certain aspects, and I wouldn’t change things just to change them. By the time I got done speaking, most of the men had dropped their defensive posture.

“Now, if you’ll please do me the honor of introducing yourselves.”

One by one, they stated their name, where they were stationed, and their years of service.

Until that moment, I’d avoided meeting his gaze. He sat forward, forearms on the table, hands clasped loosely as he studied me. “I’m Mac Collins, captain at Station Four. Twenty-five years of service.”

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