Her Sworn Enemy (Men of the Zodiac) by Theresa Meyers Page A

of safety checks. “You sure we’re secure and ready to go?”
    “Aye, Cap. Triple checked.”
    “Are the transponders all loaded on the ROV, Doc?”
    “For the fourth time, yes.” She turned to Toneau and said rather loudly and probably for his benefit, “Is he always this nervous about an observation dive?”
    “No, but Cap likes things done right. You call it nervous. I call it meticulous. You got no worries with him. You know it’ll be done right the first time, every time.”
    He needed to remember to get Toneau a case of his favorite mango soda when he went back to shore. The man deserved it.
    “Okay, all hands. We dive in fifteen minutes. Let’s get the ROV loaded.”

     
    B ella put her hand up to shield her eyes from the growing intensity of the sun. The men guided the huge yellow mechanical boom arm into place. The enormous round magnet on the end lowered slowly until it connected to the metal cage surrounding the ROV with a clunk . Slowly, with the hiss and mechanical clicking off the boom in motion, it pulled upward lifting the heavy ROV up and over until it could clear the edge of the deck.
    “You’re welcome to watch from the conference room again if you like. It’ll probably be boring since we’re setting the transponders in place today,” Tuck said, turning on his heel.
    Deflated, Bella crossed her arms and gave him a glare she knew he couldn’t see from behind her sunglasses. “Are you watching from the conference room?”
    He paused, blue eyes deep and hard to read. “No. I’m working from the control room.”
    What was he hiding, and why was he avoiding her? “Well, then I’ll watch from there, too.”
    “There really isn’t any room. We’ll have a full crew in there,” he said a bit too quickly for her to find it believable. “You’ll be more comfortable in the conference room.”
    Like hell. She already didn’t care for the sensation of being alone on a crowded ship. She’d really hoped there wouldn’t be any awkward moments like this between them after last night. Apparently she’d used up whatever small reserves of luck she had left. “No problem. I’ll watch it from the conference room after I grab something to eat.”
    She’d never been down to the galley before. Food was always on hand in the conference room or available to be delivered with just a phone call. As she walked down the stairs, the heavenly aroma of real Louisiana jambalaya, filled with the trinity of onion, peppers, and celery spiked with garlic along with the spice of Andouille sausage, and the rich, acidic scent of cooking tomatoes, made her mouth water. She was definitely headed in the right direction.
    Bella came around the corner to find a swinging door leading into a bright kitchen filled with gleaming stainless-steel countertops and pristine white cabinets. A massive pot simmered on the stove, emitting a fragrant steam. A solid built man, his dark hair cropped close to his skull, with skin the color of semi-sweet chocolate chips was cutting up vegetables. He wore a yellow collared short-sleeve shirt and white shorts, with a blue apron tied around his middle.
    “Your jambalaya smells delicious.”
    He turned, a wide smile, brilliant white against his cheeks and chin. “You must be the doctor they all been gibberin’ about.” He wiped his hands on his apron, and then held one out to shake her hand. “I’m Chef Antoine.”
    Bella took his hand and gave it a firm shake.
    “Lawd, you got a grip, girl. No wonder you can make those men shake in their boots.” He laughed. “Now what can Antoine do for you, sugar?”
    “I thought I’d get a little something to eat. They’re getting a dive going. Right now I’m in the way more than helping.”
    “Hmm,” Antoine replied. “Feels that way sometimes, don’t it.”
    “Why haven’t I seen you around?”
    “Because Antoine likes his kitchen. I don’t have any reason to go anywhere else,” he said and smiled. His hands moved fast as he