ruthless · first mate · arctic whaling · criminal conspiracy · violent · cunning · insurance fraud · sea setting · antagonist · manipulative
The Arctic wind screamed through the rigging as Michael Cavendish hauled on the ridging line, the coarse rope biting into his calloused palms. A curse died on his lips when a shape broke the monotony of the deck—a woman, moving where she had no right to be. His body stilled, his gaze hardening into a venomous stare as she cut a path toward the captain’s cabin. A slow, contemptuous curl twisted his mouth.