Jenna Kernan - Tribal Law

“You never look like you need help and you never ask me for it.”

“Well, I’ve never had to stand over the grave of one of my officers before, either. I hope I never have to do that again.”

She took his hand and held it to her cheek. “It’s a terrible loss. I hope you find the killer.”

He hoped that her father wasn’t tied up in all this but it wasn’t looking good. He realized that his arresting him had broken their engagement. If and when he made that second arrest and sent him back to federal prison, maybe for many, many years, would she ever forgive him?

This might be their first and last night together.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JENNA KERNANhas penned over two dozen novels and has received two RITA® Award nominations. Jenna is every bit as adventurous as her heroines. Her hobbies include recreational gold prospecting, scuba diving and gem hunting. Jenna grew up in the Catskills and currently lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State with her husband. Follow Jenna on Twitter, @jennakernan, on Facebook or at www.jennakernan.com.

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To Jim—Always.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “I want you here,” Gabe said. “You never look like you need help and you never ask me for it.” “Well, I’ve never had to stand over the grave of one of my officers before, either. I hope I never have to do that again.” She took his hand and held it to her cheek. “It’s a terrible loss. I hope you find the killer.” He hoped that her father wasn’t tied up in all this but it wasn’t looking good. He realized that his arresting him had broken their engagement. If and when he made that second arrest and sent him back to federal prison, maybe for many, many years, would she ever forgive him? This might be their first and last night together.

Title Page Tribal Law Jenna Kernan www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JENNA KERNAN has penned over two dozen novels and has received two RITA® Award nominations. Jenna is every bit as adventurous as her heroines. Her hobbies include recreational gold prospecting, scuba diving and gem hunting. Jenna grew up in the Catskills and currently lives in the Hudson Valley of New York State with her husband. Follow Jenna on Twitter, @jennakernan , on Facebook or at www.jennakernan.com .

Dedication To Jim—Always.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Selena Dosela’s heart beat so hard in her chest she started gasping.

“For the love of God,” said her father from the passenger seat. “Where’s your Apache poker face?”

She pressed a hand to her forehead and blew out a breath but still felt dizzy.

“Better.” Her father, who was supposed to be home under house arrest, had crouched out of sight when they passed Gabe’s police car, but there was nowhere to hide in the small cab of her box truck.

Gabe hit his lights.

“Pull over,” said her dad.

She did, gliding on snow and ice to a stop on the shoulder. Gabe’s white SUV pulled in behind her.

Gabe Cosen, the chief of police for the Black Mountain Apache Tribe, would spot her father the instant he reached her door, which was in about fifteen seconds.

“Tell me when he’s next to the rear tire.”

Selena’s heart began galloping again.

She glanced in her side mirror. Gabe exited his unit, tugged down his thigh-length sheepskin jacket and put on the gray Stetson that he always wore. Now her heart pounded for a different reason. Even from a distance this man could raise her heart rate and her internal temperature.

As chief, he didn’t wear a uniform anymore except for special occasions. But he still wore that hat, as if he were a cowboy instead of an Indian. He tipped the brim down and then marched toward Selena’s driver’s side. On any other day she might have appreciated the sight because Gabe Cosen looked good coming or going. Right now she wished it was going.

“What should we do?” she asked.

Her father cast her a look of disappointment. “What do you think? Hide. I’ll be outside on the running board.”

Why had she thought he meant to harm Gabe? Did her father even carry a gun? She hoped not; he would be in enough trouble if Gabe caught him and, come to think of it, so would she.

Her attention returned to her side mirror. “Okay, he’s beside the truck.”

The passenger door eased open and her father hopped out. The door clicked shut. Her attention slipped back to the empty seat and she caught movement through the window beyond. The large rectangular side mirror showed a view of her father crouching on the runner. She gave a little shout. He straightened just enough to peer back inside and she pointed frantically at the mirror. He disappeared like a prairie dog ducking into its burrow, hopping off the running boards and moving out of sight.

“Selena?” Gabe’s voice was muffled by the glass.

She jumped in her seat, then rolled down the window to face the chief of the tribal police. The truck was old, refurbished and didn’t have power anything. In fact, it even had a cassette player on the console. But she’d chosen this truck because she’d been able to pay cash for the whole thing. Unfortunately she’d had to use it and her sister’s box truck as collateral against the 18-wheeler.

“Hey there,” he said. His breath came in a puff of condensation that disappeared almost instantly. “Everything okay?”

Her ears were buzzing. Did that mean she was going to faint? You absolutely are not going to faint. You can’t.

“Was I doing something wrong, Chief?” Her attempt to keep her voice level failed and Gabe pushed back the brim of his hat, giving her a closer look. How did he manage to get more handsome every single year? she wondered as she stared at his ruggedly attractive face.

“You’re flushed,” he said.

“Hot in here. Heater is wonky.” That lie came so easily.

“I see. What’s up?”

“What do you mean?” she asked, keeping her sweating hands on the wheel.

“Your route is finished and you’re heading out. Usually you take the car on errands.”

He had watched her that closely? She had no idea. Now she didn’t know if she should be flattered, furious or frightened.

Should she go with indignation or civility? The indignation won, hands down.

“I don’t think that’s any business of yours.”

Gabe’s brows shot up as he stared steadily back at her. His long nose and flared nostrils reminded her of a wolf on the hunt. The air of authority did not come solely from his position. She felt it even now, the need to do whatever he said merely because he said it. And that mouth, oh, she had memories of that mouth on her body.