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The rest of the paper was military confusion. Dean may also need to school me in the jargon, considering Ashley Rowan Lawson was honorably discharged and would have been well versed in what all of it meant. I sifted through to the other assignment.
Assignment–Samuel Lawson
Division–Janitorial
Subdivision–Sub Decks 4200-4800
Leadership–N/A
Direct Reports–N/A
Intake Date–Undetermined
Samuel Lawson currently cannot perform assigned obligations because of an injury. The desired outcome is 1-2 weeks of recuperation. Direct report to Mary Vislow.
There was no need to read more. Not that it would make sense to me, anyway. Dean was an asshole. One to two weeks was not nearly enough time for Sam to recover and perform a physically demanding job, and janitorial work was a waste of Sam’s skill sets. They could use him for other tasks that would benefit us all. I had a few minutes before Dean came back. I sat up straight and turned the pages over, thinking my way through his tactics.
He wanted me in chemistry. I had no skills for that, so he had a reason that suited his needs. Agriculture made sense. I’d never been in leadership, yet I was assigned twenty-seven direct reports. That means he wanted more direct reports. He wanted Sam separated from me, in a demeaning role. He wanted Sam tired and to appear unable to pull his weight on the ship.
I had my key points to stick to when Dean sat down at the table with overflowing plates. I drooled at the sight and moaned as the food hit my lips. Dean watched me eat as he took a few bites.
“You look like you just had an orgasm,” he smirked.
“Well, you would know,” I shot back, playing his game. He wanted me agreeable and uncomfortable. We had spent too much time apart. He didn’t know the woman I was today.
“Might be hard to refresh my memory with your husband around, but it’s a big ship,” he replied with a devilish grin. “I still need to give you the grand tour.” He moved his eyes to my body and licked his bottom lip.
“This must be the epitome of lack of options, right?” I snorted. “I mean, you only have so many women to choose from. We are on a floating island. I never figured you for low-hanging fruit first. The Dean I knew loved a challenge.”
He frowned and sat back. “You consider yourself easy prey?” His eyes flicked from my breasts to my face.
“No, but you do. You think I’m weak from the past month and the trip. You think I owe you something because of Sam. Shit - you think I owe you something because I’m alive. It’s more than sex you want, but you’ll start with that, won’t you? You’ll fuck me and then you’ll fuck me over.”
Dean’s jaw tightened. He stabbed his food and took a bite, chewing audibly. He hunched over his plate and looked up at me, moving his jaw from side to side as he ate. I had him.
“Great way to say thanks, Row,” he sneered.
“I’ll say thanks anyway you want. The boys are what matter. If I have to pay a penance for that, I will. Whether that’s with my body or other ways.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Other ways?”
I stayed silent for a moment, eating mindfully. Each bite of food gave me strength. I felt more like myself, more in control.
“You don’t have to tell me why you want me in chemistry,” I said. “I’ve trusted you my entire life. I’m not stopping now.”
“Row, please,” he started, but I shot my hand up to his face.
“You don’t have to give me a bullshit reason either,” I continued. “Honestly, I couldn’t care less what your intentions are. All I care about are the boys.”
Dean slammed his fork down on the table. “That’s all I care about, too. You and BeLew.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. That’s what he wanted to believe. He may have even tricked himself into thinking that’s true. We mattered to Dean, but the most important thing? Not even close. “You’re ten steps ahead always. You know there are dangers on this boat. You gave me shit for taking a shower by myself.”
“That’s why you will work in the agriculture unit and report to me. I need to make sure you’re safe,” he added.
“Yes, I know.” I reached for his hand and interlaced our fingers. “I assume you will work an opposite shift than me though, as I’m in leadership.”
Dean nodded, giving me a quizzical look. “We will probably cross a few hours, though. We won’t be on the overnights. You can be home with BeLew every night, have every dinner with them.”
