Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,47
brothers, too?”
“No.”
“I’m on guard duty, sir. Can this wait?”
“This is an order, Montgomery. Bring the flash drive.” Maddox ended the call.
Puzzled, Owen sent a text to all of his brothers.
A moment later, Levi knocked on the library door and slipped inside the room. “What’s going on?”
“Beats me. I have to leave in the next few minutes. Jackson, too. Watch over Gigi. Whatever is going on must have something to do with Ellis Matthews’s disappearance as well as Toni’s. Maddox wants us in the conference room at PSI which indicates his information is classified.”
Levi rubbed the back of his neck. “I understand your drive to protect Gigi, but leaving her here may not be wise. She can sit outside the conference room with a member of St. Claire’s or Cahill’s team. Gigi is part of your team, Owen. Teams stick together, especially when this part of the mission isn’t dangerous. You’re taking her for a drive to show her where we trained. Think of it as a date.”
Owen raised one eyebrow. “With Jackson as a chaperone?”
“We’ll spread the news that he’s been called into a meeting in Otter Creek. Again, nothing out of the ordinary about that. Since he’s exhausted, you decided to take pity on him and drive him to PSI, and give Gigi the grand tour of the facility.”
He growled. “You have this figured out, don’t you?”
“I knew this was coming, and so did you. If Matthews is working on a classified project, national security is at stake.” Levi’s expression darkened. “Enough of our brothers-in-arms have died in combat operations. If we can prevent more, we’ll do it, no questions asked.”
He noted again the subtle changes in his brother. Levi acted like he was the same as before he left for the military. Impossible. Military service changed all of them in unexpected ways, some good and some bad. “When did you grow up on me, little brother?”
“As soon as I stepped off the bus at boot camp. Do yourself a favor, Owen. Take Gigi with you. There will be enough times over the coming years when she won’t be able to go.”
“Years? We just started dating.”
“Don’t kid yourself. You’re head-over-heels in love with Gigi. You have been for years, but wouldn’t let yourself pursue her until you completed your military service.”
Was Gigi able to read him as easily as his brother? Owen hoped not. He didn’t want to scare her off. “Someone has to man the B & B.”
“Want me to text Emma? If she’s free, I’ll stay with her.”
That was the only way David would let his wife return. Owen gave a slight nod. “I’ll talk to G while you find out if Emma is available. If not, I’ll have to leave Gigi here.”
Owen followed the sound of feminine laughter upstairs to the third floor. He found Gigi stripping sheets from a bed.
She smiled at him over her shoulder, then straightened, her smile fading. “What’s wrong?”
“Maybe nothing.”
“But maybe something?”
“I have to return to PSI. Orders from Maddox.”
Dismay filled her eyes. “More training?”
“A meeting in the conference room.”
“You can’t have a conversation on your phone?”
“The comm equipment in the conference room is more secure.”
“When do you leave?”
“As soon as I wake Jackson. He’s been ordered to PSI as well.”
Disappointment showed on her face. “No date tonight?”
“Depends on how long the meeting takes.” Owen cupped her nape. “Would you like to go with me to Otter Creek?”
“Yes!”
He chuckled. “You may not be able to go inside the conference room, but I’ll have someone I trust watch over you until I’m finished.”
“I have guests checking into the B & B in a few hours. I can’t leave them standing on the front porch until I return.”
“Levi is contacting Emma. Will you mind if Jackson rides with us?”
“Of course not. I imagine he’ll sleep the whole trip.”
True enough. His friend was sleep deprived.
Levi poked his head in the door. “We’re set. Em was already in Archer to meet a new customer for her weaving projects. She’ll be here in five minutes. You can head out as soon as you’re ready.”
“Excellent.” Owen glanced at Gigi. “Do you need to do anything else before we leave? The sooner we go, the better.”
“I’ll let Miriam and Addie know I finished stripping the sheets. They know what to do. Once I grab my purse, I’ll be ready.” She glanced down at herself. “Do I need to change clothes?”
“You look great.” Shirt, jeans, and running shoes were perfect for the PSI campus. Owen followed Gigi down the