by Scotty Cade
Silence overtook the deck of the boat, and then Vladimir clapped his hands and stood.
“Up until now, I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I would never find the documents or the wreck in my lifetime. That is, until I received a call from a cartel insider at the State Office, who told me you had turned up with coordinates and pretty good proof that you had found the wreck. We have been closely monitoring your comings and goings and your progress almost the entire expedition.”
“So you broke into our boat to look for the documents while we were away?” Mac asked.
“Now why would we do that, when all we had to do was sit back and let you do the work and we then could reap the rewards?” Vladimir responded. “We stayed as far away from you as we could, to not alert you to the fact that we were onto you.”
Mac looked at Jack. “Then who broke into our boat?” Mac asked.
“Who cares?” Vladimir said. “Enough of this small talk. Take them down below, and kill them.”
“Wait!” Mac said. “Do you think they won’t find us murdered in our boat? The State Office knows we’re here,” he continued.
“By the time they find your bodies,” Vladimir said. “We will be safely out of the country and nearing our homeland. Now kill them, and get back up here and start salvaging my opium and gold.”
The guards unlocked the handcuffs and brought Dona and Brad down first. Dax couldn’t walk, but they allowed Jack and Mac to carry him, with Vladimir on his heels.
“Can we at least say our good-byes?” Mac asked Vladimir.
Vladimir nodded, and the guards removed the tape from their mouths. They all hung on to one another and huddled around Dax lying on the floor, his shoulder still bleeding pretty badly. Jack kissed Dax on the lips and whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Captain,” Dax said, his voice very weak. “More than you will ever know.”
Dax smiled up at Dona. “It’s been a good run, baby sis,” he said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone but you. I love you.” She only nodded as tears streamed down her face. Mac and Brad didn’t say anything. They simply stared into each other’s eyes, their looks saying everything they couldn’t bring their lips to say.
Dax held up his good arm and smiled. He slipped his hand into Jack’s and held on tight. In reaction, Dona took Jack’s, Mac hers, and Brad his. In one deliberate last show of unity, Brad reached down to Dax’s right arm, lying still at his side, and joined their hands. They all kneeled directly behind Dax and faced their executioner.
The act didn’t go unnoticed, and Vladimir yelled, “Enough! Kill them.”
The two guards raised their arms and aimed at Jack and Dona first. But before they could pull the trigger, the companionway door flew open, and they all heard, “DEA, drop your weapons and put your hands where we can see them!”
They all watched as six heavily armed agents of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency rushed into the salon and overpowered their captors.
“We need medical assistance right away!” Jack yelled. “Dax, just hold on, baby. We’re gonna make it.”
Chapter 17
AS JACK cradled Dax’s head in his arms, he vaguely heard one of the agents radio for medical backup. Within minutes, two Coast Guard paramedics were examining Dax, while two others were sliding a backboard underneath him.
“Where are you taking him?” Dona asked.
“We’re transporting him to the Jolly Roger, idling just off of your stern,” the paramedic responded. “A Coast Guard cutter will be here in less than ten minutes.”
“I’m going with him,” Jack demanded.
“Me too,” Dona said.
“We’re all going,” Mac said, still holding Brad’s hand.
Another agent stepped into the salon and said, “I’m Agent Brett Wilder. Please give them a few minutes to stabilize him, and then I’ll personally take you to be with him.”
“You’re the guy from the State Office,” Dona said.
“State Office, thank God,” Vladimir said. “I am a Russian citizen being held against my will, and I demand to be returned to my country.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m afraid it will be a long time before you see Russia,” Agent Wilder said.
“You can’t hold me against my will,” Vladimir protested.
“We can, sir, and we will,” Agent Wilder said. “For starters, you are being arrested for drug trafficking, drug possession, kidnapping, and attempted murder.” He instructed another agent, “Read him his rights.”
The agent started reading Vladimir his rights.
“I need air,” Jack said as he climbed the stairs to the deck. Dona, Mac, and Brad followed, and when they reached the deck, they were greeted by the sight of Vladimir’s guards, the captain and crew of his boat, and all the divers handcuffed to the same guardrail that had held them a little over an hour ago.
When the agent was finished reading him his rights, Vladimir was also escorted topside and was greeted by the same sight. Dona walked up to Vladimir and kicked him in the balls as hard as she could. “That’s for my brother,” she said as she turned and walked back to join her friends.
They all watched the blood drain from his face as he bent over and fell to his knees. Agent Wilder flinched and said, “You shouldn’t have done that, ma’am.”
“I’m sorry, Agent Wilder,” she responded.
“Okay, just don’t let it happen again,” he said with a chuckle.
Chapter 18
SO MUCH had happened in a very short time that everyone’s head was spinning.
“How did you find us?” Jack asked.
“We’ve been involved from the beginning, although quite by accident,” Agent Wilder explained. “We’ve been secretly monitoring the comings and goings of Mr. Kozlov for over two years, and working to gather enough information to make our move.”
They listened intently as Wilder continued to explain.
“I know that you’re aware that our Mr. Kozlov is the head of one of Russia’s largest and most powerful drug cartels.”
Jack nodded but asked, “How did you know that we knew that?”
“Every cabin of your vessel has been bugged since you left the State Office,” Wilder explained. “We had to know what your plans were so we could protect you, but we knew that Kozlov wouldn’t go anywhere near you if he got wind of our involvement, so we stayed out of sight.”
“So you’re the ones who broke into the boat while we were away,” Brad said.
“Yes, sir,” Wilder confessed. “Sorry for the mess, but we tried to figure out a way to alert you to the fact that you were being monitored without compromising our mission.”
“Well, it worked,” Mac and Jack said simultaneously.
“And you owe us for new underwear,” Brad said as he looked at Dona. “But we’ll talk about that later, go on.”
“I’m not really sure where to start, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning,” Wilder said. “The wreck of the Anna Wyoming is very well known around these parts, and the rumors have run rampant for over one hundred years about what she was carrying, but no one could prove anything until recently. We’ve had an agent that poses as a clerk at the State Office and has been working for the last ten years to infiltrate the cartel and act as our informant, and just recently he verified that the ship was carrying at least three thousand pounds of opium. Anyway, it was pure coincidence that I happened to be in the State Office the day you came to apply for your Rights of Salvage. When the desk clerk heard which wreck you were after, she immediately brought it to my attention, and we thought we had finally gotten the break we needed. So we fast-tracked your certificate and bugged your boat before you could get back to it.”
“So you heard everything that Vladimir said about his father, the cartel, and the night of the wreck?” Jack asked.
“Thanks to Mr. Cleary, we have enough on tape to put Mr. Kozlov away for a very long time,” Wilder explained. “And once he sees what he�
��s facing, I’m sure he’ll start singing like a bird.”
“I hope that bastard rots in prison for his part in what happened to Dax,” Dona said.
“I promise you that we will do our very best to make sure that happens,” Wilder said. “I know you don’t believe me, but there was very little danger of any of you getting hurt. We were on the Jolly Roger and very close to you the entire time, but knew that if we brought in a cutter, Mr. Kozlov would have run, and we would have lost him.”
“Tell that to Dax,” Dona said.
“I know, ma’am, and I’m sorry about that. We were aware of what had happened to Dax as soon as it happened, and had doctors evaluating the situation from the moment the shot was fired.”
“Yeah, knowing that now is great,” Mac said. “But it sure would have helped to know that when all this was going down.”
“I’m sorry about that, but it couldn’t be helped,” Agent Wilder confessed.
“What about the gold?” Dona asked.
“It’s yours,” Wilder said. “It’s the least we can do.”
Everyone smiled, and Jack said, “Please take us to Dax.”
“Right away, sir!” Wilder said.
ONCE they were all on board the Coast Guard cutter, Brad went to talk to the doctors about Dax’s prognosis. Jack stood on one side of Dax’s bed, tightly holding his hand, with Dona on the other side and Mac at his feet. They took their time explaining to Dax about the DEA’s involvement in their expedition and how it had all come to be. They had just finished the story when Brad pulled back the curtain and appeared at the foot of the bed.
“Looks like you’re going to make a full recovery,” Brad said. “Although you lost a considerable amount of blood, the spear didn’t do any major damage. After you heal, you’ll have to endure some physical therapy to get your range of motion back, but you’ll be good as new.”
Jack leaned down to kiss Dax on the lips, but Dax stopped him in midair.
“What about the gold?” he asked.
“It’s yours,” Jack said.
Dax corrected him. “You mean ours.” He looked around and smiled at his friends—no, not his friends. His family!
Chapter 19
IT TOOK the government about a week to complete the salvage of the gold and opium and another week for the DEA to wrap up all the loose ends surrounding the expedition. When everything was signed, sealed, and delivered, the government wired a little over ten million dollars into Dax’s bank account, and the ordeal was just about behind them. The DEA salvaged the chief purser’s safe and the additional safe and promised to turn over the contents once they sorted through the red tape.
The Lindsey C was again docked in her slip in the Skagway harbor, and everyone was sitting comfortably in the salon, enjoying their last meal together before departing for home. The wine was flowing, and everyone was reflecting on their adventure.
Dax stood and tapped a butter knife against his wine glass. “Can I have your attention?” he said. “Dona and I discussed this earlier today, and we want you to have these.” He handed Jack, Mac, and Brad each an envelope. Jack’s envelope contained a check for two million dollars, and Mac’s and Brad’s each contained a check for one million.
“I know this isn’t what everyone agreed on,” Dax said. “But we wanted you each to have a little extra from us. We would have split the gold five ways, but we still have a new boat to pay for, and because of this money, we won’t have to rely on investors to fund our expeditions for the foreseeable future.”
Jack, Mac, and Brad were dead silent as they stared at their checks.
“Somebody please say something,” Dax said.
“I can’t accept this,” Jack said.
“Why not?” Dona and Dax asked in unison.
“Because I got way more than I needed when I got Dax, and I’m very happy with that.”
Everyone smiled and said “Ahhh.” Dax leaned down and kissed Jack. “But a deal’s a deal,” he said. “Besides, if our next few expeditions don’t produce any revenue, we may need it.”
Mac said, “We don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” Dona said. “You earned it.”
“Thank you,” they both said.
“No, thank you!” Dax said.
The team knew they would see each other again in the future, because they’d all agreed to testify against Vladimir Kozlov when the case came to trial, and they were all eager to do that.
“What are your plans, Jack?” Mac asked.
“We’ll be here a few more days,” Jack said, “getting the Lindsey C ready to sell. Then we head down to Key West to supervise the construction of the new boat.”
“Wow,” Brad said. “Uncle Jack’s all grown up.”
“Very funny, asshole,” Jack replied.
“How about you guys?” Dax asked.
“We’re flying back up to the lake to spend a few weeks recharging our batteries until we decide on our next adventure,” Brad said.
“Would you guys consider making your next adventure a trip to Cape Horn?” Dax asked.
Everyone looked at Dax and Dona in surprise. “The Sarah Maria?” they all squealed.
Dax and Dona nodded.
Brad and Mac looked at each other and smiled. “Hell yeah, we’re in,” they said.
“You know I’m in,” Jack said. “When do we leave?”
“Slow down, Captain,” Dax said. “We’ve got to get the boat built before we can do anything, but in the meantime, we have a shitload of research to do.”
There were hugs all around as they toasted to their new adventure and turned in for the evening.
Jack opened the cabin door for Dax, and they both stepped inside. When Jack closed the door behind him and turned, Dax was already starting the bodily assault.
“Whoa, whoa,” Jack said. “Are you well enough for this?”
He took Jack’s cheeks in his hands and brought their lips together as the gentle waves lapped against the hull in an accompaniment to their kiss. Jack felt everything slip away—the expedition, almost losing Dax, almost being killed. It was all replaced by Dax’s beautiful hazel eyes, the taste of his lips, and his manly scent.
Jack whimpered softly as the kiss intensified. He felt Dax moving closer and a hand gently stroking his back. Slowly Dax pulled away, studying Jack’s face, fingers caressing his cheek, and Jack shivered at the soft touch, leaning closer and wanting more. Jack took Dax’s hand and walked him to the bed. Jack kissed him again and said, “I want you inside me tonight.” Dax nodded slowly against his lips. Jack felt rather than saw Dax’s smile just before Dax pushed him onto the bed.
Jack held on as they continued kissing, his strong back pressing into the mattress, Dax’s weight surrounding him. Jack wrapped his arms around Dax’s neck and buried his face in the warm softness of Dax’s skin.
“We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready,” Dax whispered. “The last thing I would ever do is pressure you.”
“I almost lost you before we had a chance to share this experience,” Jack confessed. “I want you, Dax, and I want you tonight.” He looked up at Dax and gazed into his eyes. “I trust you, and I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.”
Jack’s eyes were filled with love and trust, and suddenly Dax was overtaken with emotion. He was the first man Jack had ever had sex with, and now Jack was going to allow him to be his first again. A single tear slid down his cheek, and Jack wiped it away with his thumb.
“You okay, baby?” Jack asked.
“I’m better than okay,” he whispered. “I never knew I could love someone as much as I love you.” Jack shook with excitement as Dax gently placed his lips against Jack’s and held them there. It felt like the most sensual, the most real kiss he’d ever shared with anyone, and he was so glad it was Dax.
“Sit up, and let me undress you.” Jack did what he was told, and Dax pulled the T-shirt over his head. He gently nudged him back down and slid to the end of the bed. He re
moved Jack’s sneakers and socks. He used his thumbs to sensually rub the balls of Jack’s feet, one at a time. He lovingly nibbled on his toes and ran his tongue up and down the soles of Jack’s feet until he felt Jack shiver from what he hoped was anticipation. He straddled Jack’s thighs and slowly unbuttoned the fly of his “Lucky” brand jeans. These really are lucky jeans—lucky for me, that is, he thought as he slid them off and tossed them to the floor. He slipped his fingers inside the waistband of Jack’s boxers and slid them down and off as well.
“Roll onto your stomach and just relax.” Dax felt Jack shake again as he rolled over and rested his head on his hands. Dax straddled his legs and ran his hands up to the wide planes of Jack’s broad shoulders. He dropped his head and whispered, “Don’t worry, Captain, just relax and let me take care of you. If I hurt you in any way, just let me know, and I will stop, okay?”
Nervously, Jack nodded. Dax slid his hands back down Jack’s back, stopping and kneading the globes of his firm butt. When he dropped his head, Dax saw his own erect dick, wet with the sticky precursor of his anticipated climax as it rested in the crack of Jack’s ass. He was so excited that he thought he might lose it right then and there, but he forced himself to calm down, remembering that he wanted to make this special for his captain.
Dax leaned forward and began kissing Jack’s back and neck. He teasingly kissed all the way down his back and nibbled on his butt. He felt Jack shiver and tense just for a second, when he parted his ass cheeks and slid his tongue into the warm, welcoming crack. Dax slid his tongue down the cleft and over the opening, and Jack, unfamiliar with the sensation, arched his back. Dax moved his tongue a little, and Jack’s head lolled back as he allowed himself to moan softly. Dax repeated the onslaught, this time zeroing in on the small, puckered opening, savoring it with his tongue, Jack’s unique scent filling his nose and mouth.
