Free Lock and Load (SEAL EXtreme Team) by Kimberley Troutte Page A

said.
    “Jump!” Mack ordered.
    She held her ground. “No friggin’way.”
    Mack glared at her. “Tavon!”
    “On it.” Tavon grabbed her.
    “On no, you don’t! Let go of—” she started. Before she could finish she was sailing overboard and splashing into the cold water.
    She came up spluttering and choking. Dammit! The life vest popped her up to the surface where she buoyed like a cork in the water. She glanced up at the yacht she’d just been tossed off. The bow was much lower in the water than the stern. Maybe it was a good thing she got off that sinking ship. But she wasn’t about to trust the men who threw her overboard.
    Charlie swam up beside her. He took off his mask and handed it to her. “Put this on. I’m going to give you the quick and dirty diving lesson 101.”
    “No.” Treading water, she stared at him. What was it about his voice that sounded familiar?
    “You afraid of diving? I’ll be right beside you. Trust me.”
    His voice drove her crazy. She knew that deep, teasing tone from…where? A dream? She’d never met this guy treading water beside her. She’d remember those dimples and sparkling green eyes. He was rugged and handsome. And no, she wasn’t going to trust him. He just killed a guy back there. Bam, one bullet between the eyes. He’d do the same to her once he got the memory card.
    “Stay away from me.” Her teeth chattered from the cold water. She wasn’t going with them so they could get her to tell them that the memory card was hidden at Mr. Lee’s.
    Surprise registered in his big green eyes. “Why? I’m trying to rescue you.”
    Rescue her from the triad and then torture her for the data, all the same to him, right? Her gaze fell on his wet lips. For some irrational reason she thought about the Black Pirate. What would he do at a time like this? Give her a few bonus grenades that mysteriously stayed lit in the water so she could blast her way out of here? Take that, military men. A chuckle of insanity bubbled up her throat and she choked sea water.
    “You’re laughing?”
    “I’ve lost my mind.” It had been a freaking stressful twenty-four hours. She shook her head, but she couldn’t stop laughing.
    “Stress. Let’s get to the junk and—” He reached for her.
    The giggles shut down in a hurry. “Don’t touch me!”
    “Okay.” He floated backward, hands up. “Relax.”
    “Relax? I’m treading water in Victoria Harbour while every low-life prickhead in Asia is after me and who knows what your deal is.” If she hadn’t seen him in action, she wouldn't believe he was deadly. A surfer, maybe, a trained killer, no. But then again, she hadn’t been the best judge of men lately. Jacques was a perfect case in point.
    “My deal is to protect you.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Have we met before?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Nice try, Aquaman. Save your pickup lines for a girl who cares. I’m not going with you.”
    “Amber, we’re on your side.”
    “Right. Why don’t I believe you? Oh, I know. Maybe it’s because you shot a guy back there without blinking an eye and the Incredible Hulk just threw me off a ship.”
    He laughed. “Tavon is pretty incredible, but he’s a softie. Your father hired us to bring you home. We’re Americans, not part of Chinese organized crime.”
    “Dad called you?” Impossible. No way, and yet, if he did, she was saved. Her eyes burned.
    “Not me personally, but yeah. Come on, Mack can explain things once we get out of here. Aren’t you tired of treading water? We’ve got food and dry clothes for you on the junk .”
    For a moment her resolve melted. Maybe Charlie was telling the truth. She really, really wanted to trust him. To trust someone. She was tired. Not to mention hungry, cold and scared. And she needed help to get back to Mr. Lee’s to check on him and recover the memory card. But anyone could say her father sent them. It wouldn’t take much digging to find out she was Duncan Fitz’s only daughter. These