Page 70 of Hot SEAL, Under Pressure

She figured Gabby and Dani would be pretty proficient with firearms since they were married to SEALs.

That left the uber competitive woman also known as Stone Faced Barbie and her partner Tony as the only wild cards in today’s challenge.

Stefan put his cell away after glancing at it for the dozenth time and raised his gaze. “I wouldn’t doubt anything about that one.”

Shelly had to agree.

Old stone face probably did triathlons for fun in the off season when she wasn’t running marathons. And what was that Olympic winter sport where they were on cross country skis and then had to shoot targets in the woods in between? She probably was a gold medalist in that event.

Stefan sighed, again, and glanced around. “When do you think we’re starting?”

“I don’t know. I can ask,” she offered.

“It doesn’t matter.” He shrugged.

He was miserable and though he hadn’t told her much, she knew why. The evidence was all there. The malaise. The constant checking of his phone. His team was going on a mission without him.

IfSEAL Teamhad taught her anything, it was that guys didn’t like to be left behind. And, more importantly, any change to the team dynamic could put the welfare of the team in jeopardy.

At least, that’s what happened on more than one of the episodes she’d binge watched.

Joanne would never let Stefan out of his contract. She’d loved him for the cast from day one. And she no doubt had him primed to be the most popular character on the show.

What Shelly had told him was true. He was required to participateuntilthey were eliminated. After that, Joanne would want him at the finale. And she would no doubt make sure he was called back as a coach for the obstacle course challenge by the finalists to give him more airtime.

But, if he was already gone—and gone because he was in service to his country—what could Joanne do? Sue him?

It would be very bad optics for the show to not support a hero off risking his life while protecting our freedom.

What was that old saying?Better to ask forgiveness after the fact than permission before.This seemed like one of those times. Suddenly she knew exactly what she had to do.

“Five minutes,” Jonas said, popping his head into her little shooting cubicle.

“Thank God,” Stefan breathed out, obviously itching to get going even though she could see his mind was elsewhere.

Her heart pounded as the full ramifications of the decision she’d just made hit her. She could get in trouble, but only if they could prove what she’d done. She’d just have to make sure they couldn’t.

The shooters would take turns so the camera could fully capture both the competitor and the reaction of the opponents as each shot either hit or missed the mark.

Shelly leaned out and yelled to Jonas. When he came back she said, “Can I go last?”

“Um, yeah. Sure.” Overworked—and she knew from experience, underpaid—Jonas didn’t have the time or energy to question her request.

That was exactly what she’d been counting on.

“Thanks.” She smiled. Now she’d know what score she had to beat. Or rather, miss by.

She watched the others more closely than ever before.

Gabby sucked so badly that even her loving husband covered his eyes at one point rather than see she’d completely missed the target with one of her shots.

Marathon Barbie was good, as expected. But not good enough to win. Judging by the scores, she’d come in a solid second.

Dani was the ringer. She hit every shot with precision perfection. She was so good her score got a round of applause from the cast and the crew.

“How the hell did she do that?” Stefan asked no one in particular. Even in his misery, he’d paid attention to her shooting.

Jonas was hovering behind them since Shelly was shooting next. He answered, “She goes to the range regularly with Nick for stress relief. She said it’s either that or axe throwing.” Jonas shrugged and turned his attention to Shelly. “You ready?”

---