“We shouldn’t be seen together any more than necessary,” Natalie said.

“Why not? We’ve shared a breathing apparatus, a fishing boat and a taxi.”

“Still. If there’s a chance of me being taken rather than one of the other girls, I’d rather it was me.”

Duff touched her cheek. “Again, they might not take you. Since we returned to the cave and those thugs fired at us, I’d say there is a strong possibility they’d shoot you rather than take you as a hostage.”

“How else am I supposed to find where they hid my sister? I can almost bet they won’t tell us if we ask.”

“Then we have to find a way to follow them to where they are hiding your sister and the other girls.”

“The longer she’s missing—”

“We’ll find her.” Duff tipped her chin upward and lowered his lips to hers. “I promise.”

Navy SEAL Survival
Elle James

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Table of Contents

Cover

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Copyright

ELLE JAMES, a New York Times bestselling author, started writing when her sister challenged her to write a romance novel. She has managed a full-time job and raised three wonderful children, and she and her husband even tried ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas). Ask her, and she’ll tell you what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with an angry 350-pound bird! Elle loves to hear from fans at ellejames@earthlink.net or www.ellejames.com.

This book is dedicated to all those men and women who serve in the armed forces protecting our country and our way of life.

Thank you for your dedication and service.

Chapter One

“This is the life.” Dutton “Duff” Calloway stretched out on the lounge chair beside the pool and closed his eyes.

Sawyer handed Duff a chilled and fruity Pain Killer drink before easing into the chair beside him. “I’m surprised all four of us were granted leave at the same time.” He pulled the colorful miniature umbrella out of a chunk of pineapple and dropped it on the end table between them.

Duff downed a third of the drink. Normally he preferred an ice-cold beer. But the combination of orange juice, pineapple and whatever else went into the icy concoction was refreshing and helped add to the sense of relaxation he’d hoped to find in Cancun, Mexico. “I didn’t look that gift horse in the mouth. I took the leave and ran.”

“Flew,” Sawyer corrected. “Yeah, I wasn’t questioning our luck, either.”

Duff shaded his eyes and stared past the palm trees to the beach beyond. “Where do you suppose Quentin and Montana got off to?”

“They said something about reserving a diving excursion for tomorrow. I told them to sign us up while they were at it.”

Duff closed his eyes and soaked in the warm rays of sunshine. “Sounds good. After our last mission to clean up that terrorist training camp in Honduras, I’m satisfied to just be a bum and let the hotel staff and excursion coordinators do all the work.”

Sawyer crossed his hands behind his head and leaned back, grinning. “Yeah. This is the life.”

Duff’s grin matched Sawyer’s. “No boss, no guns, no terrorists. Just me, my friends and this...” He lifted the Pain Killer. “Now all we need is a good beer.”

“And women,” Sawyer added.

Silently, Duff agreed. How many months had it been since he’d been with one? He sighed. Too many to count.

A giggle sounded at the opposite end of the pool and the tittering of female voices drifted through the balmy air.

Sawyer leaned his head up. “Speak of the devils.”

Life couldn’t get more perfect. Duff swallowed more of the fruity drink.

The gaggle of young ladies appeared to be college-aged, all wearing bikinis and makeup, and carrying beach bags filled with towels and sunscreen.

Duff sighed. “Too young.”

“Hey. We’re not old men, yet.” Sawyer sat up and studied the women as they strolled past their lounge chairs, headed for the beach. “Oh, wait. You are an old man at the ripe old age of thirty.”

“That’s right. And twenty-year-old, vapor-headed women don’t do it for me. I like mine more mature.”

“Here you go.” Sawyer chuckled. “Mature women, three o’clock.”

Two women who couldn’t be a day under fifty strolled by.

Duff nodded. “I bet they know a lot more about passion than the girls headed for the beach.”

“What about her?” Sawyer tipped his head toward the woman who’d just stepped out of the resort building. She wore a one-piece black swimsuit, the front cut in a sharp V down past her navel, her blond hair loose around her shoulders. Pausing for a moment at the door, she slipped sunglasses onto her nose. Then she strode across the concrete, her bare feet tipped in bright red polish.

His pulse quickening, Duff couldn’t take his gaze off her. Now, this was a woman. She couldn’t be much older than the college girls, but she carried herself like a model, placing one foot in front of the other, emphasizing the sway of well-rounded hips. As she passed in front of Duff and Sawyer, Duff’s jaw dropped.

A low whistle from the lounge at his side said it all.

The woman’s one-piece dipped low in the back and wasn’t much more than a G-string, exposing a lush bottom with tight glutes.

Another chuckle sounded beside him. “I’ll take that as a yes. And if you don’t go after that one, I will,” Sawyer said.

“Who said anything about going after her?”

“Not interested?” Sawyer swung his legs over the side of the lounge and stood. “You might want to lie in the sun all day, drinking Pain Killers...” He raised his hands. “And there’s nothing wrong with that. But I want to feel a woman beneath me, calling out my name in the night. And I believe she’s the one.” Sawyer touched two fingers to his temple in mock salute. “See ya later.”

“Good luck.” Duff leaned back and closed his eyes. Yes, she was gorgeous and made his blood hum through his veins. He wouldn’t mind seducing her into his bed. If he wasn’t so darned tired, he’d follow her out to the beach with Sawyer and give the poor boy a little competition.

A yawn crept over him and he set his cool drink on the table beside him. Later.

Besides, he was on vacation and had no intention of working too hard. Women tended to be high-maintenance and time-intensive. After he got a satisfying nap, he might consider striking up a conversation with the sexy blonde. Until then...

He yawned and stretched. The sun warmed his skin and soothed his soul. Duff fully appreciated this nice place free of gunfire and explosions.

Yeah, this was the life.

As soon as he settled his body against the lounge chair, something bounced off his head.

Duff jackknifed to a sitting position and faced a small child, her big brown eyes round and frightened. “I’m sorry, mister.” Her gaze darted to the beach ball rolling beneath his chair.

Duff reached down and extracted the ball, handing it to the child.

“Thank you.” She smiled and ran back to the pool where what appeared to be her sister and two brothers stood near the edge, all under the age of ten.

“Last one in is a rotten egg,” the tallest brother called out. The girls squealed and all four children launched themselves into the water, splashing Duff.

They came up talking and squealing.

So much for peace and quiet. Duff couldn’t blame the kids. They were having a great time. He would have done the same.

Instead of grousing over a missed nap, he rose and followed Sawyer out to the beach. If he had to be awake, he might as well enjoy the scenery on the beach. Sawyer was sure to strike out with the blonde, and Duff would ask her if she’d like to have drinks later.

The worst she could do was say no.

* * *

NATALIE LAYNE STEPPED onto the Cancun beach, her toes curling into the warm, white sand. She’d followed her sister’s footsteps as closely as possible without having her sister there to guide her. A week ago Melody had come to the resort with her Kappa Delta sorority sisters. Six young women with nothing but fun in the sun on their minds.

As Melody’s only living relative, Natalie had asked her younger sister to report in each day. Melody had happily complied, texting each evening, letting Natalie know she was okay and having a great time. Until the fourth day.

Natalie’s chest tightened. She hadn’t received the call until late that night when a heavily accented voice came over the line announcing, “We are most sorry to report that your sister, Melody Layne, disappeared on a dive this afternoon at approximately three o’clock.”

Having lost their parents two years before to a ten-car pileup on Interstate 10, Natalie hadn’t been able to grasp what the man was saying.

Her sister? Disappeared? “What do you mean disappeared?”

“She was diving with a boat operated by Scuba Cancun. When she didn’t come up with the others, the dive boat operator searched but could not find her.”

A hundred questions had raced through her head as she’d held the phone to her ear. “What else has been done to find my sister?” she’d asked, her voice sounding as if it came from someone else down a long tunnel.

Her sister. Gone.

Natalie had given up the highly volatile and extremely rewarding career she loved as a special agent to return to New Orleans to see her sister through high school graduation and the start of college. Someone had to be there for her after their parents died.

Now this.

No way.

Natalie had taken the information from the Cancun police officer and hung up. Stunned and numb, she’d turned to her computer. She’d been leery of her sister traveling to Mexico. The endless reports of corruption in the Mexican government and law enforcement had been enough to convince Natalie it had been a bad idea.

Melody had insisted Cancun was insulated from the corruption and had its own security to protect the thriving tourist industry.

At the time Melody was making arrangements to go, Natalie should have put her foot down. Not that it would have done any good.

Melody had a mind of her own and the money their parents had left. She had reached the age of majority and could make reservations without her sister’s consent. And she had.

That gut feeling had proved right.

Within minutes of receiving the call, Natalie had hit the number for her former employer, Royce Fontaine, and asked for help.

As the head of the Stealth Operations Specialists, he could help her as no one else could.

“Natalie, are you ready to come back to work for us?” He’d chuckled. “Travel journalism too tame?”

“Royce, I need your help.”

The laughter ceased. “Name it. We’re here for you.”

She’d explained the situation and paused for him to digest the information.

“I’ll run a scan on the area to see if there are any other occurrences of missing women,” Royce told her. “You’re right to be suspicious.”

“Let me know what you find. In the meantime, I’m headed to Cancun.”

“Will do,” Royce said. “I’ll send Lance Johnson out on the private jet with the equipment you’ll need to keep you wired so that we can find you if you run into difficulty.”

“Thanks, Royce. I knew I could count on you.”

“Anytime. I had Lance lined up to take on another mission tomorrow, but I can take it myself.”

“I hate to pull you from other important assignments—”

“Nat, we’re talking about your sister. Family comes first. That’s why I’m sending Lance. Technically he’s as good as Geek and a better shot if you need backup.”

“Good.” Natalie’s mind had already been five steps ahead, working through everything she had to accomplish before leaving for Mexico. “I don’t expect any cooperation from the Mexican government or police.”

“Look, why don’t you fly in the corporate jet with Lance? It’ll save you time and money.”

“I don’t know. I’m thinking I need to perform this mission undercover. I might get more answers that way.”

“Fair enough. But you’ll get there faster on the SOS plane than flying commercial. I can have Lance dropped at a different airport. He’ll meet up with you later. That way you arrive separately.”

“Agreed. As long as I’m in Cancun by tomorrow.”

“You will be.”

While Natalie packed for Cancun, she went through her text messages and photos from Melody, searching for clues. Her mind played through many scenarios for what might have happened to her sister, each one worse than the last.

When her cell phone rang she was so deep into her thoughts, she jumped.

“It’s not good, I’m afraid,” Royce said without a greeting.

Natalie’s heart plummeted into her belly. “What did you find?”

“In the past two days three young women under the age of twenty-five have disappeared from the Cancun resort area and Riviera Cancun.”

“Why hasn’t it been in the news?”

“All three were from different countries—Sweden, Australia and now the US. To each country, it was a solitary incident. The Mexican government isn’t advertising this as a serial event. Contacts in Cancun say they’re treating two of them as individual unfortunate incidents.”

Rage shot through Natalie. “Bull! Three women? Did they all disappear diving?”

“Two diving. The third? They claim the young woman wandered off and probably fell into an abandoned underground tunnel associated with the Mayan ruins located at Chichén Itzá, a little over an hour outside Cancun.”

Natalie couldn’t believe in this day and age any country would give up that soon. But then Mexico had its share of internal issues. The police force could be run by the local drug cartel. They might not have an interest in finding the women. “Did the authorities even try to find the women?”

“My contact said they gave it a perfunctory look and abandoned the search when it grew dark. If you go—”

“There’s no if,” Natalie said. “I’m going.”

“Of course.” Royce continued. “You have your extra passports, yes?”

“I do.”

“Pick one that’s foreign, but not Australia or Sweden. And stay blonde. The three women thus far were all blonde.”

“Nice to know.”

“I had Geek run a background check on their families. They were from rather small families who have little money to pay ransom, much less to pursue lengthy litigation or to hire private investigators to search for their daughters.”

Natalie’s jaw hardened. The women were targeted for their blond hair, youth and their family’s lack of financial backing.

“So what you’re telling me is that you don’t think they were snatched for ransom.”

“No.” Royce’s single word in that flat tone said it all.

If the women had been kidnapped, their captors weren’t going to bargain to give them back. They would be sold or drugged and forced into the sex trade.

Forcing the emotion out of her heart, Natalie said, “The sooner we find them the better off they’ll be.”

“Right.” Royce gave her the details about meeting Lance at the New Orleans airport the following morning.

Once she ended the call, she sat back, tapping her bare toe, while she sifted through her passports. Part of her old life as an agent, the passports were vital to getting around the world without raising suspicion. Though she’d given up her job as an agent, Natalie had been hesitant to destroy the passports. Now she was glad she hadn’t.

Picking the United Kingdom passport, she stared at the image inside. The likeness was still valid: blond hair, blue eyes. And the woman in the photo looked like her with shorter hair. Hell, it was her, three years ago when she’d been active as an agent, sent all over the US and other countries to do what the CIA, FBI or Interpol either couldn’t do or hadn’t successfully managed to accomplish.

The passport would serve its purpose to get her past authorities and establish her as a young, single woman of limited assets and family connections on vacation in Cancun.

With the backing of her old team, she made hotel reservations for the same resort where Melody and her friends had stayed, using her UK alias, Natalia Scranton, age twenty-three.

Sleep had been impossible, but she’d tried anyway, keeping her cell phone on the pillow beside her in case, by some miracle, Melody was able to text her.

The next day she’d met Lance at the airport and climbed aboard the SOS private plane. Once the plane took off, Lance came at her with a loaded syringe.

Natalie held up her hand. “Stop.”

“You need to be tagged with a tracking device. Should whoever took the other girls manage to snag you, we’ll need to follow you to wherever they’ve taken you and the others.”

“Yeah, but why the syringe? Can’t I keep a tag in my pocket?”

“That would be fine if you were wearing clothing with pockets at all times. I suspect, since we’ll be at a resort, you will be wearing a bathing suit.”

“I could sew the device into the suit.”

“Will you sew one into every item of clothing you could possibly wear?”

Natalie frowned. “Maybe. I’ve just never liked the idea of being tracked all the time, by anybody.”

“In this case, it’s for your protection.”

“Okay, but put it somewhere I can dig it out if I decide I don’t like it anymore.”

“Sure. Where would you like it?”

“Between my toes.” She lifted the hem of her sundress and held out her leg.

Lance injected the tracking microchip and sat back in his seat with a hand-held device. He hit the on switch and waited. “There.” He pointed to the dot on the screen. “There you are. Now, if you’re swimming, scuba diving or taking a shower naked, we’ll be able to find you.”

Natalie snorted. “Nice to know I’ll have company in the shower.”

Lance grinned and opened an aluminum suitcase. From it, he selected what appeared to be a tiny hearing aid and handed it to her. “You remember how these work?”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s get to the good stuff.” She leaned toward the suitcase and plucked out an H&K .40-caliber pistol and several boxes of rounds. “I prefer the stopping power of a .45 caliber or 9 mm, but the smaller weapon will be easier to hide.”

“Exactly.” He handed her a set of throwing knives similar to the ones she had locked in her safe at home in New Orleans.

Natalie ran her hand over the handles, wishing she had time to practice throwing. These, too, she had given up when she’d decided to retire from SOS operations. How would she explain to Melody the need to have her own set of knives, especially when she was terrible in the kitchen?

Melody had no idea what Natalie had done before she’d returned home to New Orleans to be there for her after their parents died. Her sister thought she had given up the boring desk job in DC, the first job she’d taken when she’d finished college.

That seemed such a long time ago.

Loaded with all the equipment and weaponry she could easily hide in her suitcases, in the room or on her person, Natalie arrived at the hotel, smiling like a young single woman on vacation, ready to soak up the sun and play in the sand.

She greeted the desk clerk in an English accent she’d perfected when Royce had assigned her to a case in Oxford, England. Despite staying there, she was so busy working the case, she didn’t have time to play tourist and get to know the area. She asked for a room on the same floor as the one her sister had shared with her three girlfriends from college. Hopefully she’d find out more by hanging out with them at the bar, if they hadn’t already gone home, frightened by the loss of their roommate.

As soon as she unpacked her suitcase and stowed her weapons in the room’s lockbox, she stripped out of her sundress and pulled on the sexy swimsuit her sister had insisted she buy. She had, against her better judgment. Whatever made Melody happy made Natalie happy.

In what little there was of the black suit, Natalie had to agree with Lance and the subcutaneous injection of the tracking device. Anything other than her body beneath the suit would have stood out.

Dressed for the beach and hanging out with young people, Natalie grabbed a beach towel and sunglasses and headed down to the lobby. She passed through the lobby and out to the pool area, checking out all of the people she passed, wondering if one of them was behind her sister’s disappearance. None of the young women looked anything like those in Melody’s selfies.

Once out on the beach, she noted someone changing the yellow flag to red, indicating it was dangerous to swim.

Mothers herded children out of the shallows and teens frowned and complained as they slogged through the water to shore. A group of young women in colorful bikinis stood in water up to their waists, taking pictures of each other. The man hoisting the red flag, waved for them to return to shore, yelling something about riptides.

Natalie glanced farther down the shoreline, thankful for her sunglasses. The white sand was bright behind her lenses, but without the glasses the beach would be blinding.

Sand crunched beside her and a shadow crossed over her face.

Natalie tensed.

“Looking for someone?” a deep male voice asked.

She turned toward the man wearing nothing but black swim trunks and a smile. And, good Lord, he didn’t need anything else. Suntanned and tattooed, his body was magnificent, his white teeth shining in his tanned cheeks. Dark hair, dark eyes and a friendly face topped him off.

“Not particularly,” she answered, remembering to use the proper British accent before promptly turning the other way.

“Name’s Sawyer,” he said. “Me and my buddies just got here today.”

“That’s lovely.” As handsome and well-muscled as the man was, he wasn’t in Natalie’s plan. She was there for her sister, not to flirt with muscle-bound men in sexy black swim trunks.

“Bug off, Sawyer,” another voice said from behind Natalie and she spun to face an even taller man with jet-black hair and a jaw that looked hard enough to crack walnuts.

She tipped her sunglasses down, curious about the true color of his eyes. Her heart fluttered as the deep green orbs stared down into hers and took her breath away.

No. She didn’t have time for the sudden tug of attraction. If she knew for certain where her sister was and that she was all right, Natalie might consider flirting with this incredibly handsome man with the tribal tattoos on his shoulders.

“Excuse us,” he said. “It’s been a while since we’ve been around a beautiful woman.”

“No need to explain.” Just leave.

A shout rose up, drawing those startlingly green eyes away from Natalie and to a couple of splashing figures farther out than was safe. Both figures appeared to be women, one closer in than the other. The woman furthest out seemed to be moving out to sea despite her attempt to swim ashore.

Mr. Green Eyes left her and jogged toward the water, the one called Sawyer on his heels.

Natalie hurried after the two.

“Looks like the current is dragging them out,” Sawyer said.

The man with the green eyes didn’t respond; he raced toward the water without slowing. He charged in up to his knees and dived into the surf.

His friend dived in after him. Soon both men cleaved through the water.

No matter how strong they could swim, the current had a way of doing its own thing.

Sawyer stopped at the first woman, while Mr. Green Eyes continued out to the other.

A teen stood at the water’s edge, watching the event unfold, a surfboard clutched under one arm. Natalie altered her direction and ran toward him. “Mind if I borrow this?”

He passed it to her without question.

Natalie ran toward the water.

By the time she slid onto the board, Sawyer was on his way back to shore with the first girl. Green Eyes had reached the other.

The poor woman was so frightened she clung to him, climbing up his body to get farther out of the water.

They were so far out, Natalie wasn’t certain she’d get there before the two went under, but she had to try. The lifeguard wasn’t far behind her. Between the three of them, they should be able to help the woman.

As she neared, Green Eyes was attempting to untangle the woman’s arms from around his neck. The more he tried, the more desperate the woman became.

Then Green Eyes went under.

The woman clinging to him went down with him, but immediately let go and struggled to the surface.

Natalie paddled faster, searching the water for the man who’d disappeared. Come up, Green Eyes, she prayed. Come up!

Chapter Two

Duff should have stayed at the pool with the kids. Now he was in over his head in the ocean, with a dangerous riptide and a panicked woman climbing all over him.

So much for relaxing.

When he’d had his fill of water up the nose, he dived down. The woman who’d clung to him despite all his reassurances that she’d be all right, let go and fought her way to the surface.

Duff stayed down long enough to circle the woman and come up beneath her. She slapped at the water, her strength waning.

Grabbing the woman by the ankles, Duff yanked her down, climbed up her back and secured an arm over her shoulder and diagonally down to her waist. Then he surfaced, leaning her back so that she faced the sky, her arms and legs batting at the water like a puppy learning to swim.

“Damn it, woman. Stop struggling,” Duff bellowed.

“Way to make a frightened victim less scared,” a female voice said from behind him.

He glanced over his shoulder into the blue eyes of the woman in the black swimsuit he and Sawyer had been talking to before they’d gone for a swim. “What are you doing out here?” Duff demanded. “Didn’t you see the red flag?”

“I did. But I thought you might need something more than your muscles to get the woman to shore. The current is too strong to get her back on your own.”

Duff treaded water with his one arm, his other clamped tightly around the woman, holding her head above water.

“What’s your name?” the woman on the surfboard asked the one in the water.

“Lisa,” she responded weakly.

“I’ll bet you’re tired.”

The woman in Duff’s arms nodded.

“My name is Natalia,” the blonde said. “And this is...?” She raised her brows, giving Duff a pointed look.

“Duff,” he said.

“And the lifeguard is here, as well,” Natalia said.

Duff glanced behind Natalia at a young man barely out of his teens paddling toward them on a surfboard.

“Lisa, do you want to go back with me, or the lifeguard?”

Lisa gulped and answered, “You.”

Natalia nodded. “Good. I think Duff can help you climb up on this board. Would you like that?”

Lisa nodded though her hands tightened on Duff’s arm.

Natalia held out a hand and smiled encouragingly. “Take my hand, Lisa. The man behind you will help you onto the board and stay right beside you all the way back to shore. Won’t you?” Natalia prompted Duff.

“I will.” Between them, they hoisted the woman onto the board.

Duff took a moment to breathe normally before starting back to shore.

Natalia had Lisa lie on her stomach and then she did the same, lying over the woman’s back. She started paddling. “Paddle, Lisa. The more you paddle, the faster we get to shore.”

Lisa paddled, weakly flailing her arms, her face turned toward the shore.

Duff circled behind them and pushed the surfboard. With all three of them working it and cutting at an angle, they eventually made it to the beach, the lifeguard following. A group of young women met them, helped Lisa out of the water and enveloped her in a half dozen hugs.

Duff stood beside Natalia, propping the surfboard in the sand. “Thanks.”

She responded in her pretty English accent without looking up. “You’re quite welcome.”

Duff held out a hand. “Name’s Duff.”

Natalia glanced at his hand and hesitated. Finally she shook it. “I’m Natalia. Lisa was lucky you were on the beach today.”

He shrugged. “I’m glad I could help. Look, we didn’t get much of a start back there. Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”

She didn’t even bat an eyelash before responding. “No, thank you.”

“Duff!” Sawyer approached, his arm around a woman wrapped in a beach towel. “Glad you made it back to shore. Wouldn’t be the same diving without you tomorrow.”

Duff snorted. “Nice to know you missed me.”

Lisa broke free of her group of friends and wrapped her arms around Duff’s neck. “Thank you so much for saving my life. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t gotten to me when you did.”

“I’m sure someone else would have helped.”

Lisa turned to Natalia and hugged her, too. “You two are my heroes. After the horrible past two days, I needed you.”

Natalia hugged the woman. “Horrible? Did you get caught in the current yesterday?”

Lisa shook her head, her eyes tearing. “No, I lost one of my sisters.” The rest of the young women gathered around her, all hugging each other.

“What do you mean?” Natalia asked.

Lisa sniffed. “We were on a diving excursion. She was my dive buddy. I turned away for a moment to see a moray eel in the coral. When I turned back, she was gone.”

Natalia’s face paled.

“Are you telling me she wasn’t found?” Duff asked.

Lisa and her friends all shook their heads as one.

Natalia reached for Lisa’s hands, her own shaking slightly. “What a horrible experience.”

“If we could have a do-over, we never would have gone diving.” Lisa dashed away a tear. “Melody was one of the nicest people I know.”

“Didn’t the dive master look for her?” Natalia asked.

A brunette in a pale pink bikini nodded. “He spent the next two hours searching.”

A sandy-blonde added, “They radioed to shore and the shore patrol came out and helped in the search.”

“Nothing.” Lisa sniffed again. “I don’t know why we came out to the beach today. I don’t think I’ll ever go in the water again.”

The young lady wrapped in the towel, standing in the circle of Sawyer’s arm, stepped away from him and slipped an arm around Lisa. “We can’t leave Cancun until our scheduled flights. Lisa and I thought we’d look around in the water, even though Melody disappeared a long way from here. We kind of hoped the current would have carried her back this way. That’s why we were out so far.”

“It was stupid,” Lisa said.

“At least you two are okay,” Duff said.

Natalia nodded. “You should go back to your rooms and rest.”

Lisa and her friends thanked them again and left the beach to return to the resort hotel.

“Wow, what rotten luck,” Sawyer said. “To lose your friend and almost lose your life all in the space of two days. Not my idea of a great vacation.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go lie down, as well,” Natalia said.

“If you won’t have dinner with me,” Duff persisted, “will you let me buy you a drink later?”

She gave him a half smile. “We’ll see.”

He watched as the gorgeous blonde left, walking up the beach in her sexy black swimsuit, her long hair drying in soft curls around her shoulders. Beautiful and strong. What other woman would have jumped in to help in such a dangerous situation?

Sawyer made a diving motion with his hand followed by the sound of an explosion. “Turned you down, did she?”

Duff nodded, his gaze on the sway of Natalia’s hips. “The battle’s not over.”

His friend clapped his hand onto Duff’s shoulder. “That’s my man. We’re on vacation here. What’s a vacation without a beautiful woman to keep you company?”

Indeed. And Natalia had captured his interest in more ways than one.

He headed back to the hotel, Sawyer walking alongside him. “Didn’t you say Quentin and Montana were looking into a diving excursion?”

Sawyer nodded. “I hope it wasn’t with the crew who lost the girl yesterday.”

Duff almost hoped they went with the same crew and to the same spot where the girl disappeared. Something wasn’t right about losing a diver and not finding anything to indicate what had happened.

* * *

NATALIE HURRIED BACK to the hotel, grateful she and the two muscular men had been there to help save Lisa and her friend from the strong current. Not only was she glad the girls were still alive, she was also happy it had served as an introduction to hang out with them without arousing suspicion. She’d make it a point to find them at dinner or at the bar that evening. Perhaps someone had seen something they didn’t realize might be a clue to what had happened to Melody.

Deep inside, Natalie believed her sister was alive. Finding her would be the challenge.

She stopped at the excursion planner’s desk and asked about dive trips for the next day. She let the planner, Maria Sanchez, go through the different options and dive companies. When Maria didn’t mention Scuba Cancun, Natalie made it a point to ask.

“Friends of mine came last month and went on a dive with Scuba Cancun. They said if I came to Cancun, I had to book with them. Do you book trips with them?” Natalie blinked her eyes, trying for young, sweet and innocent, when all she wanted to do was to jerk the binder out of the lovely Maria’s hands and make her own arrangements.

“Yes, we do book Scuba Cancun, but the last time I looked, they were full for tomorrow. Let me check and see if they’ve had any cancellations.” She clicked her keyboard and stared at the screen, her brows puckered. Then they smoothed and she smiled up at Natalie. “You’re in luck. They have one space available for tomorrow morning. Would you like me to book it?”

Natalie let go of the breath she’d been holding and nodded. “Yes, please.”

If she thought it would do any good, she’d run around asking questions and demanding answers. But if there was a chance Melody had been kidnapped in some elaborate scheme to smuggle women into the sex trade, the people she wanted answers from would be highly unlikely to talk about anything to do with the missing college coed.

No, she’d have to keep her connection with Melody under wraps. Perhaps her blond hair and English accent would help set her up as the next target. The quickest way to find the kidnap victims might be to become one herself.

On her way through the lobby to the elevator, she made it a point to say hello to the front desk clerk, the bellboys and the concierge. If any one of them was involved in whatever might be going on, she wanted them to consider her as their next target.

On the way up to her room she noted the camera in the top corner of the elevator car. As she stepped out of the elevator onto her floor, she spotted one of the girls from the beach sliding her card into the door lock and hurried toward her. “I’m so very glad I caught you. I’m Natalia, from the beach.” She held out her hand.

“Oh, yes. Thank you for saving my friends.” She took Natalie’s hand. “I’m Kylie.”

“Are Lisa and her friend doing all right?” Natalie asked.

The pretty blonde smiled and nodded. “Lisa and Jodie are sleeping. Their parents were able to book them on a flight back to the States tomorrow morning. I wish the rest of us could have gotten on board, but the flight was full.”

“I hope they have a safe flight back. Are you all going to dinner later? My roommate was supposed to come with me on this holiday, but her aunt died and she had to cancel at the last minute. I would love to have someone to eat with.”

Kylie’s brows rose. “You mean you’re not with the hunky guys?”

Natalie smiled. “I only wish. They are kind of dreamy, don’t you think?”

“Oh, yeah.” The younger woman sighed. “They’re just what I imagined finding here. If only things had worked out differently. Since Melody disappeared, none of us can think of anything else. The vacation is ruined and we’re all ready to be home with our families.”

“I can imagine. Nothing’s worse than losing someone you’re that close to.” Natalie bit down on her tongue to keep from adding “Especially when she’s your only living relative whom you love dearly.”

“As for dinner...we will probably go down around eight. Since it’s Lisa and Jodie’s last night here, we’ll end up at the bar for one last round before the group disperses. You’re welcome to join us. I’m sure the others will agree.”

“Thank you. I’m glad I won’t have to sit awkwardly by myself.” Natalie waved her hand. “See you around eight, then.” She turned and walked toward the door next to Kylie’s and let herself into her room.

First thing, she checked the disposable cell phone she’d purchased at the airport for any messages from Lance. She’d texted him as soon as she’d pulled it from the plastic packaging so he’d have her number.

Since her eventful walk on the beach, he’d had time to arrive and text her with his bungalow number.

With a couple hours to spare, Natalie figured she might as well check in with the agent.

Slipping a long, flowing skirt over her swimsuit, she plunked a floppy hat onto her head and left her room. Rather than take the elevator, she opted for the stairs, checking the locations of all the security cameras. She wondered if Lance could get into the security system and review footage from the night before last to see if it showed them potential suspects that could have been stalking the young women.

Lance had rented a bungalow on the resort property, giving him a little more privacy than a hotel room. He could set up his equipment and not worry too much about being bothered.

Natalie took a roundabout route, looking for security cameras strategically placed. Outside the hotel, the cameras were directed toward common areas and the hotel itself. The bungalows seemed to be more private.

Strolling along a pebbled concrete path as if she hadn’t a care in the world, Natalie eventually arrived at the correct bungalow with its Do Not Disturb sign hanging on the door handle. A quick glance around assured her she was alone. She knocked softly.

A moment later Lance opened the door. “I was wondering when you’d stop by. I see you’ve already been in the water based on where the tracker located you.” He jerked his head and stepped to the side. “Come in.”

Natalie slipped inside. “Have you hacked into the police data files?”

“I’d love to say yes but, one, I just set up my system. And two, the local authorities’ system isn’t that sophisticated. I’m not even certain they keep data on computers.”

“What about the hotel security system?” Natalie asked.

Lance crossed to the small desk located against one wall. “Working on that now.” He sat in the chair and opened his laptop. On the screen was a map of Cancun, the resort pinpointed by a bold green dot.

“I see you’re keeping up with me.” Natalie was at once reassured and disturbed by being followed so closely. If it weren’t for the nature of the case, she would never have let anyone inject a tracking device beneath her skin. Though she had confidence in her ability to defend herself, she knew her limits. Being drugged or outnumbered could reduce her abilities to nil. In that case, she’d be happy to have Lance track her and provide backup if or when she went missing.

“When you get into the hotel security camera files, check the bar, lobby and restaurants where Melody was to see if there are any suspicious characters paying a little too much attention to her. Royce gave you the picture of Melody, didn’t he?”

“Got it. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”

“I’ll be in the restaurant and bar tonight if you can get into the security system by then.”

“I should be able to pull up the online system. I can keep an eye on you, if you’d like.”

“Whatever.” Natalie shrugged, staring at the green dot on the screen. “You already have me on the tracking system.”

“True.”

“Do one more favor for me, will you?” Natalie asked.

“Shoot.”

“I met a couple of guys on the beach today. Both had tattoos and were well built. Check them out. I’d almost bet they’re military, based on their bearing. They said they only got in today, but that could have been a line. Both hit on me.”

Lance grinned. “If the rest of that swimsuit is as revealing as the top, I don’t blame them.”

Natalie frowned. “Find out who they are and when they arrived. They were certainly big enough to carry off a female with one hand tied behind their backs.”

“Will do.”

“Thanks. I’d better get back so I can be ready in time for dinner. If you find anything, I want to know ASAP.”

Lance saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

With an hour to get ready, Natalie hurried back to her hotel room and hit the shower. Something didn’t feel right about getting dressed up for dinner when her sister could be in some kind of hell, praying for someone to rescue her.

Rinsed and scrubbed free of the sticky salt water, Natalie toweled dry and then ran a blow dryer over hair, pulling the curl out. Applying the flat iron, she erased all the curl and left her hair hanging long down to her waist, the way college girls wore it. Normally, Natalie would have worn her hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her hair was long, but only because she was too lazy to go to the hairdresser on a regular basis.

Once she finished her hair, she applied makeup, another ritual she’d avoided over the past two years. With the intention of being the next blonde to be nabbed, she gave herself smoky eyes with a combination of blue and charcoal eye shadow topped with a thin stroke of black eyeliner and mascara.

Satisfied with the result, Natalie dressed in a short, soft blue dress with narrow spaghetti straps. The dress was another one of Melody’s choices. Natalie hadn’t worn it out of sheer modesty. The hem barely covered her bottom, revealing every inch of her long legs. The thin straps and form-fit of the garment meant thong panties and no bra.

Feeling as close to naked as one could be in a dress, Natalie slipped her feet into strappy silver stilettoes. Grabbing the matching silver clutch, she slipped money, her passport and one of the knives inside. At the last minute she flipped the switch on the earbud and stuck it in her left ear.

“Hey, Lance.”

“I’m here, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me sweetheart.”

“You got it, babe.”

Not in the mood to argue, she let his teasing slide. “Anything?”

“Your guys are two of the four who arrived today. I traced them all the way back to the plane they flew in on. Dutton Calloway, Sawyer Houston, Benjamin Raines and Quentin Lovett. Their plane originated from New Orleans. Probably legit.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you want me to dig deeper?”

“Yeah, just in case they’re buyers for the kidnapped women.”

“Got it.

“And...Lance?”

“Yes, babe?”

“Remind me to punch you later.”

A chuckle sounded in her ear.

“Will do.”

“In the meantime don’t talk to me unless I talk to you first or you find something major. I can barely think in my own head without a man in it, too.”

She stepped into the corridor at the same time as Melody’s friends.

“Oh, good.” Lisa met her at the elevator. “We were just about to knock on your door.”

“Thank you for letting me tag along.” Natalie entered the elevator, followed by Melody’s friends.

Natalie wasn’t worried she might look too much like Melody that the girls would recognize her. The only picture her sister always carried with her was one of the two of them with their parents six years ago. Natalie had sported a short bob back then, her hair several shades lighter than now. And she was six inches taller than her younger sister’s five feet, two inches.

“Have you heard anything from the police about your friend?” Natalie asked.

“No, but the Cancun police stopped by again to ask more questions.” Lisa shook her head. “It’s not like I had anything new to say. Melody was there. Then she wasn’t.”

Natalie’s heart contracted and her eyes stung. The only way she could keep tears from falling was to remind herself that Melody was alive, waiting for her big sister to find her.

Dinner was a somber affair. Melody’s friends spoke to one another in subdued tones, each quietly introspective after the past two days’ trauma.

“Are you ready to go back to our rooms?” Lisa asked.

“No. We can’t leave without drinking a toast to Melody,” Kylie said. “Come on. One last drink before Lisa and Jodie take off in the morning. It’ll be the last legal drink for them until next year when they turn twenty-one.”

“Y’all go on without me. I don’t feel much like partying,” Jodie said.

“You have to come. We’re going to drink to Melody. It wouldn’t be the same without you.” Lisa and Kylie each grabbed one of the girl’s arms and marched her out to the cabana where reggae music was in full swing and a few couples moved to the beat on the dance floor.

Natalie followed the girls to the bar beneath a thatched-roofed cabana strung with twinkle lights.

They all ordered strawberry margaritas and stood around a table, no one making a move to take a seat.

“Melody’s favorite,” Lisa said, her voice cracking as she lifted her glass rimmed with sugar. “To Melody. I hope she’s found safe and returned home.”

Kylie’s eyes filled with tears as she lifted her glass with the others.

Fighting her own tears, Natalie raised her glass. “To Melody,” she whispered. I will find you and bring you home.

Chapter Three

Duff spotted her as soon as she stepped out of the hotel into the cabana bar.

She tagged along behind the group of young women they’d met on the beach following the rescue. They ordered sugar-laced strawberry margaritas, each with a colorful umbrella perched on the rims of their glasses. As one, they lifted their drinks in a toast.

Natalia sipped the sugary concoction and winced.

Duff almost laughed. A gut feeling told him she wasn’t into fruity mixed drinks.

She set the drink on the table and glanced around the outdoor bar as though looking for something or someone. Maybe a rescue from the drink.

Duff strode to the bar and ordered two long-neck beers. Once served, he slipped up behind Natalia. “Looking for someone?”

She turned, the corners of her lips rising. “Not really.”

Duff nodded in greeting to the other women at the table before turning his attention to Natalia.

She stared down at his hands, her brows cocked. “Are you a two-fisted drinker?”

“No, I kind of hoped you would prefer beer to whatever that is you’re drinking.”

Natalie crossed her arms over her chest. “Do I look like a beer drinker?” Her lips quirked again.

Duff chuckled. “Not really but, like I said, I hope you are.”

She relaxed and held out her hand. “Actually, I don’t really like sweet, fruity drinks.”

“Thank goodness.” He handed her one of the ice-cold bottles. “I was afraid I’d end up drinking both. Alone.”

“Glad to help my fellow rescuer out.” She tipped the bottle back and drank a long swallow before glancing up into Duff’s eyes. “You don’t take no for an answer often, do you?”

“I’m persistent. When I want something, I go after it and stay after it until I get it.”

She snorted softly. “A prize to be won?”

“No, a challenge to be met.” He lifted his bottle and tapped it against hers. “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.”

“Like?”

“Freedom. The lives of your friends and family...” His voice deepened. “The love of a woman...”

She blinked, her smile spreading. “Wow, are you always this smooth with the ladies?”

Duff grinned. “Heard that on a movie. That’s the first opportunity I’ve had to use it.” He set his bottle on the table and took hers from her hand and placed it beside his. “Come on. Let’s dance.” He slipped his arm around her waist.

She hesitated. “And if I don’t want to?”

“You do,” he said. The fact she hadn’t told him to bug off already gave him hope.

“Cocky much?” she asked.

“Only when I’m sure of myself.”

“Which is often, I take it.”

Despite his arrogance—or maybe because of it—she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. An upbeat reggae tune had some couples leaving and others stepping up the pace.

Once on the dance floor Natalie tilted her head to the side. “Sorry, but I don’t know how to dance to this music. I tend to be all left feet.”

“Then you haven’t had the right partner.” He swung her away from him and then pulled her into the curve of his arms, her back against his chest, his lips beside her ear. “Just relax. I’ll do all the work.”

The warmth of Natalia’s hand in his and the way she wore that incredibly sexy blue dress, made Duff’s insides curl and his body heat.

He twirled her beneath his arm and back to face him, his hips moving to the rhythm, his feet keeping the beat, urging her to follow.

The more he moved with her, his hand resting on the small of her back, the more her body relaxed. By the end of the song, she could anticipate his moves as if they’d danced together for years and she fit perfectly against him. Her long legs and lithe, athletic body felt right in his arms.

When the music switched to a slow, sensuous rhythm, Duff pulled her against him.

For a brief moment her body stiffened and then melted against him, her hand resting against his chest. He liked how warm and firm it felt there. Yeah, he could get used to this woman.

“So, what brings you to Cancun?” he asked, his lips so close to her ear he wanted to nibble the pretty earlobe. In her heels, she still wasn’t as tall as he was, but she was close.

His arms around her tightened and Duff leaned his cheek against her hair. “I’m sorry. Was my question too personal?”

She glanced up at him as if realizing for the first time that she was dancing with him. Her brow furrowed. “What was it you asked?”

Her question hit him in the ego. He’d have to make a better impression to keep her attention. “What brings you to Cancun?”

“I’m on holiday,” she said with a smile.

“Alone?” he asked.

“I wasn’t supposed to be, but that is the way of it. My friend’s aunt died and she had to cancel at the last minute to attend the funeral.”

“I’m sorry for her loss.” He pulled Natalia close to his body and swayed to the music, his hips rubbing against hers, causing an instantaneous reaction. His trousers tightened and he wished they were somewhere more private—like his bedroom.

Natalia leaned into him, her fingers curling into his shirt, her nails scraping his chest.

Duff swallowed a groan rising up from his lungs. She was doing crazy things to him without even trying.

Natalia smiled up into his face. “What about you? Why did you come to Cancun?”

“Same. Vacation. Long overdue.”

“Tough job?” she asked.

He snorted. “At times.” He didn’t talk much about his work, except to his Special Boat Team 22 teammates. Most SEAL assignments required top-secret clearance. Information about those operations was only shared with people cleared for that particular mission. He found himself wanting to tell Natalia all about it. But he couldn’t.

The music ended and she stepped away. “Thank you for the dance.” She turned to walk away.

Not wanting the night to end yet, Duff caught her hand. “Will you dance with me again?”

She lifted one shoulder. “Maybe, but for now, I’m going to visit with my new friends.”

And that was it. Natalia walked away, leaving Duff standing in the middle of the dance floor.

She returned to the group of young women and took up a position on the periphery, her gaze scanning the room again and again.

Duff frowned. What was she looking for?

A hand containing a chilled bottle touched his arm. “You look like you could use this.”

Sawyer handed him the cold beer and took a drink of his. “So, what’s the story?”

“What story?” Duff tipped his bottle and drank a long swig of the cool liquid.

“You came, you danced and she walked away. Now she’s dancing with another guy.” Sawyer jerked his head toward Natalia, who was walking toward the dance floor with a different man.

Duff’s jaw tightened. So it wasn’t her new friends she wanted to hang out with. Natalia wanted to dance with another man.

“Did you say something to make her mad?” Sawyer persisted.

“I don’t think so.”

His friend shook his head. “This is a first. I haven’t known a single female to turn down the Duff’s incredible charm.”

“Shut up, Sawyer.”

Sawyer gave him an innocent grin. “Just saying.”

So, Natalia wasn’t interested. He should move on and find another willing female to spend time with. Unfortunately none of them appealed to him like Natalia.

She danced with a couple of different guys before Duff had had enough. He pushed away from the bar and announced to his friends, “I’m hitting the rack.”

“Me, too.” Montana stood, stretched and draped an arm over Duff’s shoulders. “We’re on for scuba at zero-eight-hundred.”

“Should be fun,” Quentin added.

“What’s fun about scuba without blowing something up?” Sawyer asked.

Duff shook his head. “See you guys in the morning.”

Sawyer leaned toward Quentin and Montana and said loud enough for Duff to hear, “He’s just sore about being shot down by the pretty blonde.”

Montana laughed. “Is that it? Duff’s giving up?”

Quentin shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day.”

Duff left the cabana without waiting for his friends. As he entered the hotel, he glanced back at Natalia, dancing with yet another man.

He shrugged and turned away.

Who needed a female complication, anyway?

* * *

FOCUS ON MELODY.

Natalie smiled and laughed at each of her dance partners’ jokes and acted as if she cared. If someone was after young blonde women, she needed to be seen and considered. Dancing with several men put her out in the middle of view as a single white female. She had to take advantage of it, even though she’d rather be dancing with Duff. For some reason the tough-looking man with a smattering of tattoos across his shoulders and back made her feel more feminine than any other man she’d ever been around.

When she’d been with the SOS, she’d felt as if she’d had to prove herself equal if not better than her male counterparts. Most of the men and the women who worked for Royce Fontaine were prior military, secret service or FBI. Natalie had been working as a boring desk jockey with a natural ability to shoot straight and true every time.

Her love of shooting had come about when she’d moved to Washington, DC, and realized just how dangerous the city could be for a single woman.

She’d gone to the range to learn how to fire the .40-caliber pistol she’d purchased to protect herself. After firing a few times she discovered she was good and had tried other weapons the range had in stock. Soon she was an expert shot with every weapon the range had to offer, and salesmen were asking her to test and demonstrate their new releases. When she wasn’t working, she was at the range.

Natalie had landed the SOS job when she’d run into Fontaine at the range. He’d been there at the request of the salesman. Royce had watched her fire several of the new weapons the salesman had brought along that day. When she’d finished firing, she’d given her feedback and turned to find the SOS boss staring at her with a smile.

That had been the beginning of the job she’d grown to love, utilizing her skill with guns and her love of adventure. She’d become a Stealth Operations Specialist, one of the only agents who’d never served in combat or law enforcement.

Royce had set her up to go through a special three-month training program similar to infantry basic training only with mercenary soldiers. They’d cut her no slack and expected her to play rough, despite being a female. She’d come through, scoring the highest on weapons qualification, even on the live-fire courses and urban terrain exercises. She had a sixth sense for when to shoot and when not to shoot.

She’d been an operative for two full years before her parents were killed in an automobile crash, right before her younger sister’s high school graduation.

Natalie’d had no other choice. Family came first, and you didn’t give up on them.

As she danced she watched the bar. Several men stood out to her. Of course Duff and his friends, who’d arrived the same day as she, because of their obvious physical fitness and laid-back charm. Natalie sensed no threat from them. The bartender was a compact man with dark hair and darker eyes. He served drinks quickly, without talking, and the wait staff seemed a little intimidated by him.

Then there were the two Hispanic men who’d sat at a table in the corner, drinking Coronas and watching Melody’s friends and her as she danced with a sandy-blond-haired playboy from New Jersey.

To Natalie every man in the place was under suspicion until she proved his innocence. And all bore watching.

When Duff and his friends left, Natalie felt her energy leave with them. Melody’s friends didn’t have the heart to stay and party when two of them would leave the next day and Melody remained missing.

“We’re calling it a night,” Lisa said. “I hope you have a better vacation here than we did.” She hugged Natalie. “Please be careful.”

“Thank you.” Natalie hugged the other woman, as if by so doing, she was a little closer to her sister.

They rode up the elevator together and parted ways in the hallway of their floor.

A soon as Natalie entered her room, she tapped her earbud. “Anything?” she asked Lance.

“Got into the security videos. I’ve spent the past three hours going through all the footage.”

“And?”

“I ruled out the hallway. The lobby had several characters I found lurking in the outdoor cabana. Could you slip away for a few minutes to check out the faces, or do you want me to try to send snapshots to your cell phone?”

“I don’t want any hackers to intercept the messages. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Wear the earbud in case you run into any trouble on the grounds.”

“Will do.” She slipped out of the blue dress and stilettoes and into a long casual dress and flat sandals. If someone asked her where she was going, her answer would be for a walk on the beach. She took the stairs down to ground level and walked out the back door of the hotel. The pool was lit and glowed a soft ocean-blue, the water rippled by the salty breeze.

Natalie schooled her pace to take it slow, like a person on vacation enjoying the night air, not like a woman on a mission to save her sister. When the path curved toward the bungalows, she veered in the opposite direction and took a more direct route to the beach. If someone followed her, she didn’t want him or her to discover her repeated visits to the bungalow where Lance worked.

By the time she reached the bungalow ten minutes had passed and the wind had picked up, whipping her long hair around her shoulders and across her eyes.

Lance opened the door as soon as Natalie knocked.

She slipped inside and crossed to the computer screen. The video had been paused on two dark-haired men sitting in the corner of the cabana. “I saw these two tonight. Same table, same corner of the cabana.”

“Happen to get their names?”

Natalie shook her head. “No. They stayed at the table the entire time.”

Lance fast-forwarded the video, stopping on an image of Melody and a man dancing.

Her heart came to a hard stop in her chest and Natalie sucked in her breath. Her gaze caught on Melody, laughing, dancing and flirting. She was so happy and carefree.

When her heart started pumping again, it raced, anger pushing blood through it faster and faster.

Natalie leaned toward the screen, trying to see the man with her, only getting the back of his head. “Can you see his face anywhere in the video?”

Lance shook his head. “No matter how many times I replay, I can’t get a clear shot of his facial features.”

“Melody is five feet two inches tall and, based on what she’s wearing, she’s probably got on at least three-inch heels, making her five feet five. He’s at least another five to six inches taller than her. That would put him right around six feet tall. And he has dark hair.” She straightened. “Anything else?”

“Several men in the lobby of the hotel. Some of them with women who appeared to be girlfriends or wives. Others were alone.” He clicked on the touch pad and another view popped up on the screen. “This is the lobby.”

Lance took her through several minutes of video he’d tagged as potential. When they were done, Natalie didn’t feel any closer to finding her sister than before. “Tomorrow morning, I’m scheduled to go on the dive boat Melody and her friends sailed with.”

Lance’s brows dipped. “Stay with your dive buddy in case you run into trouble.”

She snorted. “What are the chances the people who took Melody will hit the same dive boat two times in a single week?”

“Slim to none. If these creeps are smart enough to kidnap three women without raising a red flag with the local authorities, they won’t go after someone on that dive boat.”

Natalie sighed. “I know it’s a reach, but maybe I’ll get some information out of the crew. Perhaps one of them is in cahoots with the operation.”

Lance clicked another button on the computer and a GPS tracker screen appeared. “Either way, I’ve got you covered. Get some sleep tonight and be careful down there tomorrow.”

“I don’t hold out hope on sleep.” Natalie crossed to the door. “I can only imagine what Melody is going through.”

“Yeah, it’s gotta be tough when it’s your sister. She’s not my sister, and I can hardly wait to catch the bastards.”

Natalie smiled. “Thanks for your help, Lance. It’s nice to know SOS is backing me.”

“We miss having you around. Nobody quite equals our best sharpshooter.”

Warmth stole through her. They might not be blood relatives, but the members of the SOS team had been like family.

She opened the door and checked to make certain the coast was clear. A light breeze stirred the air. The moon shone bright through the gently undulating palm fronds, stirring shadows. But nothing else moved.

Natalie left the bungalow and headed toward the beach.

She passed another bungalow and was about to cut across to the more direct path leading through some bougainvillea bushes when the snap of a twig sounded behind her.

She spun, ready to face an attacker. Again, nothing moved in the shadows except the shadows themselves.

A shiver rippled across her skin in the balmy night air. Rather than cut through the thick bushes, she continued on the pebbled concrete path toward the beach. Once on the sand, she’d be in the open. Unless whoever was following her had a gun and planned to shoot her, she’d have half a chance at defending herself.

Natalie picked up the pace, stretching her long legs, trying to put distance between her and whoever or whatever was following her. By now she heard footsteps behind her.

Whenever she turned, she saw nothing. Trained to survive in hand-to-hand combat, she knew her limitations. She was better with a gun. A large man could subdue her, if he knew what he was doing.

Once out in the open, she could face her adversary head-on. No more hiding in the shadows. By the time she burst out of the palm tree shadows onto the beach, she’d gone past powerwalking, skipped jogging and was running all-out.

She turned to look over her shoulder and ran into a solid wall. Arms wrapped around her, holding her so tightly she couldn’t move.

She tried to scream but a hand clamped over her mouth.

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