Navy SEAL Survival by Elle James

damage to his windshield and the loss of his anchor. He didn’t ask questions, took the money and drove the boat out of the marina, looking right, left and over his shoulder as he left.
    Natalie’s gaze followed the little fishing boat out of the marina. “Do you think I’ll ever find my sister?”
    Duff slipped an arm around her waist. “We will,” he promised.
    Whether or not she’d be alive when they did find her was another question entirely.
    * * *
    N ATALIE LET D UFF hold her hand all the way out to the main road where they flagged down a taxi and climbed in. The stress of the day weighed heavily on Natalie. As independent as she considered herself, she couldn’t help the feeling of relief it was to have Duff at her side. She leaned against his muscular shoulder, absorbing some of his strength.
    â€œWhat next?” he asked.
    She tapped the evidence they’d wrapped in a plastic bag. “I’ll get these to someone who can lift prints. But I’m worried about my sister’s friends. If these guys are getting brave enough to go after me two days after nabbing my sister, who’s to say they won’t take one of her friends?”
    â€œWere those the young ladies you were partying with last night?”
    Natalie nodded. “Two left to go home, but the others are here for a few more days. They couldn’t get their flights changed.”
    â€œThen we stick with them.”
    â€œWe?”
    â€œOkay, you. With the Navy SEALs as backup. We can hang back, but be there if you need us.”
    â€œI can’t follow all of them.”
    â€œNo. If one strays from the pack while you’re not watching, one of us can follow and make sure they’re okay.”
    â€œMy sister and her friends were supposed to go to Chichén Itzá tomorrow. I think her friends were planning to cancel after losing Melody.”
    â€œYour point?”
    â€œOne of the missing women disappeared on a hike around the ruins.” Natalie caught his gaze. “I could take my sister’s reservation and see what happens.”
    â€œPlease tell me you’re not going to put yourself out there as bait again. They might think you’re too much trouble and shoot you instead, since you got away twice.”
    She tapped a finger to her chin, thinking. “You could be right.”
    â€œAnd if your sister’s friends decide to go on the excursion with you, they could end up as collateral damage.”
    â€œWhat if they decide to go anyway?”
    â€œThen you have to go. And the SEALs will be there, as well. Only we’ll follow in a rental car instead of taking the guided tour.”
    She stared across at him, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you so eager to help?”
    â€œIt’s the right thing to do.” He reached for her hand and curled his big fingers around hers. “And I like the strong, sassy type.”
    Again her insides warmed at his compliment and she curled her fingers around his, glad she didn’t have to do this alone.
    Having Lance follow her with the GPS tracking device gave her a certain sense of security. Having a Navy SEAL as her physical backup was even better. She wasn’t sure she’d have made it away from the cave island alive had she gone there alone.
    The taxi driver dropped them off at the entrance to the resort.
    â€œWe shouldn’t be seen together any more than necessary,” Natalie said.
    â€œWhy not? We’ve shared a breathing apparatus, a fishing boat and a taxi. That makes us practically a thing.” He winked.
    â€œStill. 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.”
    â€œHow else am I supposed