Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,40
from Georgia. Perhaps he was a transplant from the mid-west. “I live here.” The way Jase watched Gigi as she moved around the kitchen made Owen twitchy. “On vacation?”
Jase jerked his gaze from Gigi back to Owen. “Passing through on a business trip.”
“What line of work are you in?”
“Sales. You?”
“Law enforcement.” Among other jobs, all of them dangerous.
The other man froze. “That explains your gun.” Jase started eating in earnest.
Owen glanced at Jackson, and tipped his head to Gigi’s apartment.
Jackson drained his mug. “I’ll be close if you need me.” His eyes held a silent warning that Owen acknowledged with a chin lift.
Other guests drifted in and regaled Gigi with tales of their town exploration and visits to historic sites. Mr. Moser was the last guest to join them.
Owen admired Gigi’s ability to generate pleasant conversation by introducing topics that encouraged everyone to contribute.
Near the end of breakfast, Levi arrived. Gigi introduced him to the guests, then handed him breakfast sandwiches and coffee. “I have cut fruit and yogurt, although I doubt you’re interested in yogurt.”
“Smart lady.” He kissed her cheek and dropped into a chair beside Owen.
Jase took his plate to the sink. “As soon as I grab my gear, I need to get on the road,” he said to Gigi.
“I’ll meet you at the front desk.” She continued to wash baking sheets as Jase left.
Owen rose with his empty plate and mug. “Need help with the baking sheets?”
“Thanks. I’ll start more coffee, then take care of Jase.” Gigi rinsed the coffeepot and nudged Owen with her elbow. “Thanks for your help with breakfast.”
“We’re a team now, G.”
She glanced at him. “Early mornings and late evenings don’t bother you?”
He shrugged. “That’s military and law enforcement life, too.”
“Another man who wanted to date me thought I should hire help for anything outside of banker’s hours.”
Owen frowned. “The guy was an idiot. Did you go on a date with him?”
“He wasn’t you.”
He couldn’t help himself. Owen leaned down and captured her mouth with his. A moment later, he eased away. “Thank you for waiting for me.”
Smiling, Gigi went back to prepping the coffeemaker.
When Owen finished scrubbing the last of the baking sheets, he dried his hands and headed for the reception desk.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Gigi booted up her laptop at the reception desk and opened her reservation program to finalize Jase Kilgore’s bill. After keying in the final entries, she hit print.
Heavy footsteps heralded Jase’s approach. “Is my bill ready?”
Gigi slid the bill across the desk. “I’ll charge your card for the night’s lodging and meal.”
“Looks right. Go ahead.”
She ran the transaction. “Did you enjoy your stay?”
“This is a cozy little place you have here. Real quaint.”
Gigi studied him a moment. Although his words were complimentary, Jase’s tone conveyed a different opinion. “My guests seem to enjoy it. I hope you’ll consider staying at the Archer B & B the next time you come through town.”
The man covered her hand with his and stroked her wrist with his thumb. “With the right incentive, I might.”
Disgusted with his overture, Gigi tried to extricate her hand.
Jase’s hand clamped around hers. “Don’t,” he murmured.
“Let go.” Heart thundering as equal parts fear and anger filled her, Gigi glared at the man holding her captive. “Two police officers are feet away from us. One of them is the man I’m dating. You don’t want to tick off either man. You wouldn’t like the results.”
“I’m not worried.”
She stared. Did he not see that both Owen and Levi were warriors capable of killing without blinking an eye? “Why not?”
His eyes glittered. “If you raise an alarm, you’ll never see your friend alive again.”
She froze, fear overtaking the anger. Oh, man. Jase Kilgore must be one of the kidnappers. Looked like Devin Berry and Leo Daniels had a partner. “You and your two buddies ran me off the road two nights ago, didn’t you?”
“We didn’t know Toni was meeting you for dinner.”
She struggled against his hold and bit back a cry of pain when his grip tightened. “Where is Toni? Did you hurt her?”
“She’s safe for now. Whether or not she stays that way depends on you.”
“What do you want?”
Retaining his hold on her hand, Jase circled the desk and jerked Gigi against his body. “Come with me, nice and quiet. If you don’t, I’ll gut you like a fish and leave your body for your boyfriend to bury.” He pressed the edge of a knife against her side. “After that, I’ll make one phone call, and a friend will slice