Navy SEAL Survival (7 page)

He tempted her sorely and she would have followed him to his room in a heartbeat if her sister's life wasn't hanging in the balance.

When at last he lifted his head, she dragged in a deep breath, filling her lungs. “I should go find the other girls.”

“I'll see you tonight at the cabana bar?”

“If Melody's friends go there.”

He nodded. “I'll find you.”

Reluctantly she lifted her fingers from his chest. “If your friends discover anything...”

“I'll let you know whatever they found as soon as I can.”

She took a step away and forced her hands to fall to her sides. “Thank you for saving my life twice today,” she whispered. Natalie turned, scooped up the plastic bag and walked into the building, afraid if she looked back, she wouldn't go without Duff.

The man was growing on her. He had a way of being in the right place at the right time. From rescuing a drowning woman to saving her not once but twice. Her luck was bound to run out soon. She hoped she found Melody before that happened.

Natalie didn't go straight to her room. Instead she wound her way through the lobby, wandered into a lounge, bought a fruity drink and headed outside. In her roundabout way, she found her way to the bungalow where Lance was set up.

After a quick glance around she knocked on the door.

It opened before she could knock more than once.

Lance grabbed her arm, dragged her in and shut the door behind her. “What the hell happened after you got on board the boat? And how did you end up with a dead guy on a scuba excursion?”

“Sorry. It's been a helluva day.” She handed him the drink.

He pushed it back at her. “You look like you need it more than I do.” He backed up, propping his hip on the sofa. “I got nothing on the deckhands from the boat, but the dead guy is a thug who works for a man named Carmello Devita, a well-known drug runner who likes to dabble in other dangerous and lucrative pursuits.”

“Like human trafficking?”

“Like hostage ransoming.”

“Why would he take Melody? She has no family other than me and I'm a long way from being rich. And the other girls who were taken weren't from rich families.”

“Maybe he's diversifying into human trafficking.” Lance flung out his hand. “Either way, your dead man is a known gun-for-hire working for Devita.”

“Great. At least we have a starting point. Where can I find Devita?”

“That's the sixty-four-million-dollar question. The DEA has been searching for him over a year and they have no leads.”

Natalie tilted her head. “And you know this how?”

“Royce is the man with the contacts.”

“So what you're telling me is that we're no closer than when we got here?” Her shoulders slumped.

“I didn't say that.” Lance slipped into his chair in front of the computer screen. “At least you eliminated one of his gunmen.”

“We didn't eliminate him. One of his men did.”

“We?”

Natalie sighed. “Duff and I.”

Lance's lips curled upward. “Good news is that I did a search for him in the criminal databases and didn't find a match.”

“Because he's not a criminal. Turns out my dive buddy is a Navy SEAL.” She pointed to his screen. “Look up Dutton Calloway, US Navy, to verify.”

Lance's fingers flew over the keyboard. A minute later a screen popped up with a picture of Duff.

Natalie's chest tightened and her lips tingled. “That's him.”

“Sweet,” Lance said. “What's he doing here?”

Natalie filled him in on what had happened during the dive and the boat trip back to the dive location.

“You trust him?” Lance asked.

“He's saved me twice. How could I not trust him?”

“It's nice to know you have someone in the field covering your six.”

“I suppose. Only I don't want anyone else to be collateral damage while I'm searching for Melody.”

“Count your blessings, woman. If I weren't tethered to this computer, I'd be with you. If he offered to help, take him up on it.”

Chapter Seven

Duff knocked on Sawyer's door. A moment later it opened.

Sawyer held it for him. “What did you find?”

“A cave where the attacker hid his boat and a necklace belonging to Natalie's sister. Then we were shot at, almost run over by another boat, capsized it and then hauled a man on board who was promptly shot and killed before we could question him.”

Sawyer grinned and clapped him on the back. “All in a day's work.” Then his smile disappeared and he grew serious. “You weren't kidding, were you?”

Duff's jaw clenched. “I wish I were.”

“Wow. Pretty impressive,” Quentin said. “But did you have to go and shoot the guy? We could have interrogated him, maybe gotten some useful intel from him before you killed him.”

“I didn't shoot him,” Duff said. “One of his own guys got him when he saw me pulling the man into our boat.”

Sawyer whistled. “They didn't want him spilling the beans.”

Duff nodded. “What did you learn?”

Sawyer shook his head. “Not much.”

Montana sat on a couch, his long limbs stretched out in front of him. “We followed the men from the boat and got nothing. My guy went home for lunch with his wife and five kids.”

“Mine ended up in a bar,” Quentin said. “He drank three Coronas and returned to the boat for the afternoon excursion.”

“The captain stayed on the boat,” Sawyer finished. “I went back to the booking desk here at the hotel, thinking maybe the booking agent was feeding the attackers information about the women going on the excursion. The agent had clocked out for lunch. She'll be back later this afternoon.”

“So what the hell are we doing?” Quentin asked. “I thought we were here on vacation, not on a mission.”

Duff shoved a hand through his hair and paced across the short length of the bungalow Sawyer had rented for his stay in Cancun. Each of the men had rented one away from the main resort hotel, preferring the isolation and the closeness to the beach. They'd secured rooms to themselves in case they did manage a little romance while there.

“I don't know much more than you. Natalie's sister disappeared two days ago on a dive trip from the same boat we went out on today. You know the rest from what happened.”

“That wasn't my question.” Quentin pushed to his feet. “Why are you getting involved?”

Duff stared at Quentin. “If I don't, she'll do it on her own. You heard her. She actually wanted to be captured, hoping her attacker would take her to her sister.”

Sawyer whistled. “Yeah. That's insane.”

“All the more reason you should step back and look at this logically.” Quentin planted himself in front of Duff, forcing him to stop pacing.

“And what?” Duff's fists clenched. “Leave her to be captured by whoever took her sister and two other women?” He shoved Quentin's chest. “Is that what you would do? Leave a woman defenseless? It would be one thing if I didn't know any better, but I do. I can't let Natalie waltz into enemy territory alone.”

“Can't she take it to the authorities?” Montana suggested.

Duff snorted. “She got no help from them. You know the Mexican government isn't necessarily in control. The drug cartels have been calling the shots for so long, nobody has faith in the authorities anymore.”

“We're only here for two weeks. What if you don't find the sister in that time?” Sawyer asked.

Duff crossed his arms over his chest. “All the more reason to find her and get back to that relaxing vacation we've earned. Anyone have connections in the DEA? Maybe we can get them involved.”

Sawyer's jaw tightened. “I might know someone.”

“Call.” Duff waved a hand in his direction. “The sooner we have someone working it, the better chance we have of finding those women.”

Sawyer pulled his cell phone from his pocket and stepped out of the bungalow to make his call. He was back inside a minute, his face ruddy-red and his nostrils flaring. “Sorry. My source was less than helpful.”

Duff cursed beneath his breath. “Look. I'm not asking any of you to get involved in this. I'll do this on my own. You guys stay and enjoy your vacation.” Duff headed for the door.

Sawyer stepped in his way. “I'm in. Just tell me what I can do to help.”

“I'm in.” Montana shoved to his feet and dug his hands into his pockets. “A man can only take so much sand and sea before he gets bored.”

Quentin stared from one man to the next and finally shrugged. “I'm in. I could use a little excitement myself. Can't have Duff here dodging
all
the bullets.”

Duff smiled at his teammates. “Thanks.”

“So what's next on the agenda?” Sawyer asked.

“We go to dinner and show up at the cabana bar tonight to watch for anything strange. Natalie thinks her sister's friends might be targeted since they didn't get her.”

Quentin clapped his hands. “You said the magic word. Bar. I'm there.”

Montana rubbed his flat belly. “I'm for a steak and seafood, then the bar.”

Duff glanced toward the door. A smart man would walk away from Natalie and let her handle her investigation on her own. But since when was he smart? He'd joined the Navy SEALs, a surefire way to end up in a body bag. Besides, his father had taught him better than that. You don't back away from a difficult situation. You meet it head-on. “I'm going for a walk, then a shower. I'll see you all in an hour for dinner. Save a place at the table for me.”

Sawyer stepped out the door with Duff. “Is that it?”

“Is what it?”

“You feel like helping a stranger because it's the right thing to do?”

“Yeah. So?”

Sawyer's lips quirked. “You sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact she's a knockout in a pink bikini?”

Duff's cheeks burned. “No, it doesn't.”

Sawyer's brows climbed up his forehead.

With a sigh, Duff nodded. “Okay, maybe a little.”

“She's hot.”

“And smart, and not afraid of much,” Duff added.

“Careful, old man. You came for fun in the sun and a fling. If you aren't watching, you'll fall for this woman and complicate the hell out of your life.”

“I know.” Duff sighed. “And we don't need complications.”

“Not in our line of work.”

Duff rocked back on his heels. “Sawyer, you ever think of doing something else besides being a SEAL?”

Sawyer's mouth tightened. “Haven't really thought about it.”

Glancing away, Duff stared through the palm trees, catching glimpses of the ocean. “Do you ever want to settle down and raise a family?”

Sawyer snorted. “My family left a bitter taste in my mouth. I can't imagine me and a family being a good idea.”

“You're great with your brothers in arms. Why don't you think you'd be a good father or husband?”

“My father isn't like yours. He didn't teach me to fish or ride a horse. Hell, he was never around long enough to teach me to walk. When he was, it was always to tell me everything I was doing wrong in my life.” Sawyer shook his head. “If I'm anything like my father, I don't want to put that burden on any kid.”

“But you're not like him. You get along with everyone. Every man on the team would take a bullet for you.”

“And I would take a bullet for them. Even Quentin.” Sawyer smiled. “All of you are my real family. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

“You need to start thinking about a life after the Navy. We won't stay young forever, and this job is hard on a body and soul.”

Sawyer stared into the distance, then shook as if to pull himself out of his thoughts. “I think you're deflecting the real issue. What's up between you and Natalia?”

“Her real name is Natalie. And nothing. I just want to help.”

“Okay. I'll take it at face value. If you need to talk about it in the future, you know where my bungalow is.” Sawyer patted Duff on his back. “Go for your walk. Maybe you'll run into your pretty damsel in distress.”

Duff left Sawyer and headed for the beach, away from the hotel and away from Natalie. Were his friends right? Was he getting in over his head with something he had no business getting into? Or was he getting in over his head with a female who could easily derail him with a flash of her pretty blue eyes?

Whatever it was, he couldn't leave Natalie to fend for herself against forces much more powerful than one lone woman. The look on her face when he'd handed her Melody's necklace had sealed that deal. Melody was her sister. She'd do anything to get her back.

Duff loved his biological brothers as well as his brothers in arms. He'd do as much or more for them as Natalie would do for her sister.

* * *

N
ATALIE
LEFT
L
ANCE
'
S
BUNGALOW
, careful to check for anyone lurking in the shadows. She hurried back to her room, stripped out of her suit and wrap and stored her sister's necklace in her suitcase. Then she showered and changed into a soft, figure-hugging, short dress and strappy, spike-heeled sandals. After one last glance in the mirror, she went in search of Melody's remaining friends.

A knock on the door to the room a few doors down yielded Kylie, wearing her pajamas, her face lacking any makeup and her hair still crinkled from lying in bed. “Oh, Natalia, I didn't expect you.”

“Did Jodie and Lisa leave this morning?” Natalie almost forgot to layer the English accent. Since she'd revealed her charade to Duff, she hadn't felt it necessary to continue. But with her sister's friends, she couldn't really let it drop yet. Not if they were being watched by potential kidnappers.

Kylie turned and padded barefoot back to the bed where she sat and pulled a pillow up to her chest in a hug. “I miss them already.”

“They were your roommates?”

“And Melody.” She gave Natalie a weak smile. “I'm beginning to think I'm the jinx.”

Natalie sat beside her and put an arm around the young woman's shoulders. “You most certainly are not. You could not have caused this situation to happen.” She tightened her hold on the girl. “When are you due to fly out?”

“Not until the day after tomorrow with the rest of the group.”

“Then you have to do something to cheer yourself up.”

“I wish there was something I could do to find Melody. I don't feel right going home without her.” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

Natalie held her just as she'd held Melody when their parents had died. A lump knotted in her throat and she fought to hold back the ready tears when she thought of the horrible things that could be happening to her baby sister.

When Kylie had cried herself out, Natalie hugged her once more and gripped her shoulders, forcing the girl to look at her. “You aren't doing anyone any good holing up in your room. Your friend Melody wouldn't want you to get depressed and mope. You have to get out and at least pretend you're having a good time.”

“I can't. All three of my friends are gone.”

“Where is the rest of your group?”

“They came by earlier and asked if I wanted to go to dinner.” Kylie rubbed a hand across her face. “I told them I didn't feel like it.”

“When were they going?” Natalie asked. She didn't like the idea of the group of young women splitting up. They needed to stay together for safety's sake.

Kylie glanced at the clock. “Fifteen minutes ago.”

“Get up.” Natalie grabbed Kylie's hands and pulled her to her feet.

“Why?” Kylie resisted.

“You're going to dinner with your friends.”

“I told you, I don't feel like it,” she whined.

“Wash your face and put on a little makeup. I'll straighten your hair.” She herded Kylie into the bathroom, wet a washcloth with cold water, wrung it out and handed it to the younger woman. “Get moving. Melody would want it this way.”

Kylie took the cloth. “She would?”

“If you were Melody, would you want all your friends to sit around and cry over you?”

Kylie sniffed. “No.” She pressed the cool cloth to her swollen, red-rimmed eyes. When she set it on the counter, Natalie slapped a concealer stick in her hand.

“That should help hide those puffy eyes.” She smiled gently and plugged in the flat iron.

While Kylie applied makeup, Natalie smoothed the kinks out of her hair. A few minutes later, they left the bathroom.

Kylie had more of a bounce in her step. “I am a little hungry.”

“Good, maybe we'll catch your mates in the restaurant and order something quick and easy.”

Kylie hugged Natalie. “Thank you for being here for me. Somehow, I feel closer to Melody.” She tilted her head. “You're a lot like her. Isn't that strange?”

Natalie smiled and resisted the urge to tell Kylie the truth. Better to find Melody first. If keeping her real identity a secret helped, then she would continue to do so.

Kylie stripped out of her pajamas and stepped into a flirty, pastel-pink dress of sheer fabric with an underslip of shiny, silky pink. She slid her feet into low-heeled sandals bejeweled in sparkling clear rhinestones. After a glance in the full-length mirror, she gave Natalie a soft smile. “I do feel better.”

“Good. Then let's catch up with the others.” Natalie gripped Kylie's hand and led her through the door, closing it firmly behind them. She'd have to do something about Kylie's sleeping situation. The young woman needed a friend in her room. A lone female in a foreign country would be a target to the kidnappers.

The four other young women were lingering over their meal in the resort restaurant, talking quietly, their expressions somber.

Natalie led Kylie up to the table and smiled brightly. “Do you have room for two more?”