Page 40 of SEAL the Deal

As she jogged she found herself comparing the handsome SEAL to her ex in New York. Sam, a cocksure banker had been utterly full of himself. He’d continually boast about making mulit-million dollar deals and holding people’s jobs in his hand. Yes, he was handsome and yes, the sex was fantastic, but in the end it couldn’t make up for his utter lack of humility and empathy.

Rick on the other hand was a man who had reasons to be proud. He was an elite operative and a decorated veteran. Yet, there was vulnerability about him. He might be a bit of a show boater, but he didn’t take himself too seriously. He’d proven that with his attempt at pole dancing. He also had an undying loyalty to his friends and loved ones. Of course it also helped that he was about as chiseled and handsome as a man could get.

“Jenny, you hear that?”

Rick’s voice snapped her back to their current situation. She paused and over her breath she heard the snarl of ATVs. “They’re heading for the cabin.”

She broke into a run. Ahead, Axe disappeared into the undergrowth. The dog seemed to sense that Ali was in danger.

Suddenly, Rick dashed past her with the shotgun held ready. He plowed through the undergrowth like a bulldozer. She tried to match his speed, but fell behind.

The noise of the buggies grew louder and then started to fade as they pulled ahead. Jenny guessed they would reach Granite Hut in a matter of minutes. Meanwhile, she and Rick were at least fifteen away. She slowed and talked into her radio. “Ali, this is Jenny. Do you read me?”

There was a burst of static.

“Ali, this is Jenny, if you can hear me you need to get out of the hut. I say again, you need to get out of the hut.”

* * *

Ali abandoned her attempt to reply to Jenny over the radio, stuffed her things in her backpack and slung it over her shoulder as she made for the door.

She’d heard rather than saw the buggies that arrived outside. Frantically searching the cabin for a hiding place she dropped her bag and slid in under one of the bunks. Pressing herself against the wall she fought to control her panic.

The door creaked as it opened. From her hiding place she could see two pairs of boots as they clumped inside. Cowboy boots and a pair of battered combat boots. The cowboy wore jeans with frayed cuffs. His partner wore camouflaged cargos not unlike those Mike wore to work.

The men moved around the cabin, searching.

“There’s no one here,” drawled a gruff voice.

The cowboy poked her backpack with the toe of his boot. “There was.”

Her heartbeat sounded like a brass drum as she fought to keep her breathing low and shallow.

The combat boots strode across to the radio cabinet. “The handset’s still warm.”

Panic overwhelmed her and she pushed harder against the wall, willing it to open and swallow her.

“You going to come out from under there?” drawled the cowboy as he stood in front of the bunk. “We ain’t gonna hurt you.”

“Yeah, we just want to talk to your friends.”

“Shut the fuck up, Carl. Look, don’t be scared. My friend’s a bit stupid, but he’s harmless.”

Both pairs of boots were now standing a few feet from the bunk and pointing directly at her. Her only option was to crawl out and make a run for the door. “If you step back I’ll come out.”

There was a pause. She pictured the two men looking at each other, questioningly.

“OK.”

The boots took a step back. She took a deep breath then crawled out from under the bed.

The men looked exactly how she pictured them. Cowboy wore a denim shirt and held a rifle. Camo Guy had a pistol clutched in one hand. The other was heavily-bandaged.

“What happened to you?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Bear,” the man grunted.

Cowboy silenced him with a glare. “We’re the ones asking the questions. Where’s your ranger buddy?”

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