Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,30
his. “What?”
He sighed. “Playing with the dogs helped me survive the long weeks without seeing your beautiful face.”
Tears stung her eyes. “Owen.”
“I’m being honest, G. Hearing David talk about Emma all the time caused me to miss you even more than I already did. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to sneak off campus and drive to the B & B just to see you for a few minutes. We texted or talked on the phone, but that contact wasn’t enough.”
Unable to help herself, Gigi kissed Owen. Her light kiss soon morphed into a hot tangle of lips and tongues. When she remembered they were in a public place, Gigi eased back, pleased that his breathing was as ragged as hers. “I’m glad you’re back,” she murmured.
“So am I.” He cupped her cheek. “Ready to go home?”
She nodded. If her guests didn’t need anything, Gigi might take a nap. With her luck, though, this group of guests would be needy.
Once Owen paid the check and they were on the road to Archer, he called David.
“Sit rep.” After Owen updated his brother, David said, “Levi found Ellis’s truck.”
“Where?”
“Strip mall on the outskirts of Cherry Hill. He and Elliot canvassed the shops with a picture of Ellis. The owner of an exclusive jewelry store said he bought an engagement ring Friday afternoon. He planned to ask Toni to marry him last weekend.”
Gigi’s eyes welled. When a tear streaked down her face, Owen wrapped one hand around hers.
“Forensics give us anything?”
“Not enough. His truck was unlocked. No signs of a struggle. No ring. I don’t know if someone stole the ring or if he had it on him when he was grabbed.”
“Is Caleb awake?”
“Yeah. He’s working on securing footage from security and traffic cams in the area.”
Owen frowned. “Through legal channels?”
“I’m working on the legal side. He’s skipping the red tape.”
“Good. We can worry about the paper trail while we work on getting Toni and Ellis back.”
“We won’t have to work hard. The judge owes me a few dozen favors. I’ve already called him. He’s aware of the urgency. As long as we have our ducks in a row, I have permission to hunt him down or wake him if I need his signature.”
Owen gave a soft whistle. “The judge must really be grateful to give you that kind of access to him.”
“He is, but I won’t make the mistake of assuming the access carries to the next case. He’s good friends with Toni’s employer. Gigi, are you okay?”
She patted her face dry with the handkerchief Owen handed her. “Not really. I’m afraid for Toni.”
“We’re working every angle to find her and her boyfriend.”
“I know, but it doesn’t seem to be enough.”
“We’re making progress, collecting pieces of the puzzle. Before long, those pieces will fit to a larger piece and give us a better idea of why Toni and Ellis were taken.”
“Do you think they were taken by the same people?”
“Both of them disappearing within days of each other is too much of a coincidence to swallow. Did Zane get back to you, bro?”
“Not yet. I’ll contact him when Gigi and I return to the B & B. We should be there in under an hour.”
“Copy that. Let me know when you have something from him.”
Owen parked behind the B & B forty minutes later, helped Gigi to the ground, and wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks for going with me today.”
“You didn’t want me to go.”
“No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “But I was also reluctant to let you out of my sight.” Owen kissed her temple. “I’m concerned about you being involved with this investigation. These people don’t care who they hurt. They’re desperate and won’t think twice about getting rid of an innocent who stands in their way.”
“You won’t let that happen.”
His grip tightened a fraction. “They’ll have to go through me to get to you, but the kidnappers are aware of you because of the accident. I don’t want them wondering if you have what they want.”
“Is the flash drive we found what they’re after?” She leaned back far enough to see his face. “I’d give it to them if they freed Toni and Ellis.”
“Even if you handed it over, the kidnappers won’t release them.”
She scowled. “Why not?”
“Toni and Ellis are witnesses who can testify against them.”
Gigi’s heart sank. They had to find Toni and Ellis before the kidnappers found what they were after, or the couple would die.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Owen followed Gigi into the B & B’s