Page 35 of SEAL the Deal

Mike inspected the lock on the heavy chain that secured the cage as he rubbed the lump on the back of his head.

“What’s the prognosis?” asked TJ.

He sighed. “Nothing serious, just a bruise.”

“No, the lock.”

“Oh, not good. This is high-grade and the chain’s tempered steel. We need to find another way out.”

The sound of the cabin door opening caught his attention. He watched as a tall square-jawed cowboy appeared. He wore a Stetson, jeans, checked shirt and a pistol on a belt with an oversized buckle. At a guess, this was the boss, Carter.

The man swaggered across to the cage and stood in front of them with his thumbs tucked behind his buckle. “So, these are our nation’s finest.” He sniffed and spat in the dust. “Y’all gonna tell me what you were doing sniffing around my business?”

“Looking for Bin Laden?” replied TJ, deadpan.

“Hilarious. Didn’t you guys already kill him?”

“That’s what the government wants you to believe,” added Ernie.

“Regular fucking comedians, aren’t ya.”

“We try,” said TJ. “Now, how about you let us out before you find yourself in a whole lot of trouble that you don’t need.”

Carter flashed a broad smile. “Yes, sir. Right away. While I’m at it, I’ll whip you up some eggs for breakfast.” He took a step closer. “You smart ass city boys better enjoy your last few hours. Because, as soon as I find your friend I’m gonna let the river finish what it started.”

Behind him, Travis appeared carrying a water jug and a funnel with a length of hose attached to it. The overweight caretaker dumped the items alongside a chair.

“Y’all get some rest now.” Carter turned and returned to the cabin.

“What the hell is that for?” Dean gestured to the funnel and hose.

“They’re going to fill us full of water and dump us in the river,” replied TJ. “That way, everyone will assume we drowned.”

Mike rattled the bars in frustration. “Four SEALs drown in a river. Are they stupid? No one is going to believe that.”

“Don’t count on it. This river has killed far more experienced rafting crews.”

He turned from the bars with his jaw clenched. “And you thought it would be a good idea to bring a team of first timers out on it, the week before my wedding.”

“Relax, we had it well in hand.”

“Apart from the whole losing the raft and ending up in a drug baron’s prison thing.”

“I think baron is a long bow to draw. He’s more of a weed growing yokel. Compared to Barbosa, he’slos bajos fondos,” added Ernie.

“Barbosa, I’d forgotten about that piece of shit. Why is it that every time you guys interfere with my love life it ends up involving a criminal?”

“To be fair, this hasn’t got anything to do with your love life. It was just an excuse to get away and bond,” said TJ.

“Yeah, well it’s working. You don’t get a better bonding experience than being locked in a POW cage on a dope farm.”

Dean managed a chuckle. “True, I mean you couldn’t plan this shit.”

Mike turned to TJ. “Now would be an excellent time to tell us this is all a hoax.”

The look on the veteran SEAL’s face told him it wasn’t. They were actually facing death and it looked as if their only hope was Rick; a man who hated the outdoors even more than he hated his ex-wife.

ChapterEleven

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