Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,48
hallway with his brother. “Thanks for the advice,” he murmured. “You were right.”
“Of course I was.”
“And you won’t let me forget it, will you?”
His brother chuckled.
Owen rolled his eyes and headed downstairs to Gigi’s apartment to rouse Jackson. As soon as he walked in the sitting room, the medic sat up.
“Problem?” He looked bleary-eyed.
“You and I have a meeting at PSI in two hours, and we’re taking Gigi.”
“Know what the meeting is about?”
He shook his head. “Maddox said to bring the flash drive.”
“Huh. Maybe Zane knows something about the file or Ellis and Toni. How long before we leave?”
“Two minutes. I’ll drive so you can take a beauty nap.”
Jackson grunted. “Appreciate it. Someone keeps waking me. I’ll have to go back to Nashville to rest.”
“Yeah, yeah. Splash water on your face, Sleeping Beauty, then we’ll go.”
Minutes later, Owen drove from the B & B’s parking lot with Gigi riding shotgun and Jackson slumped on the backseat, already asleep. Neither he nor Gigi spoke much. Owen was content to ride in silence with Gigi’s hand clasped in his.
Occasionally, he kissed her fingers. Every time he did, she shivered. Perhaps Gigi’s feelings for him were as deep as his. He needed to win her heart, fast. He was already too far gone to walk away with his heart intact.
At the ninety-minute mark, Owen pulled up to PSI’s security gate and swiped his identification card through the reader. He drove onto the grounds and around to the back of the main building. After parking, Owen opened Gigi’s door.
“This is where you trained for two months?” As soon as her feet were on the asphalt, she turned to look at the various buildings. “It looks like a military base.”
He chuckled. “PSI is run by two Special Forces teams.”
Gigi stared when she saw the fake town. “Is that a town?”
He threaded his fingers through hers. “That’s Crime Town. We run training exercises in there.”
“What kind?”
“Hostage rescue and guerrilla warfare. The training is intense.”
Jackson snorted at his description.
Yeah, the word intense was weak, but Gigi didn’t need the details of what he and his brothers had gone through in that place. Just thinking about those long, grueling hours made him break into a cold sweat. “Come on. I need to see who’s available to keep you company while Jackson and I talk to Maddox.”
He swiped his card at the back door and entered his access code, then led Gigi down a long hallway toward the main office.
One of the secretaries, Gloria, looked up and smiled. “Owen, are you back for another round of training already?”
“No, ma’am.” At least, he hoped not. “I’m here for a meeting.” Owen introduced Gigi. “Is a member of Durango or Bravo available?”
The secretary checked her screen. “Rio Kincaid is in the infirmary. The rest of Durango and all of Bravo are in sessions with trainees at the moment. Do you want me to call Rio to the office?”
“That’s not necessary. Thanks, Gloria.” He walked with Gigi to the infirmary and knocked on the open door.
The Delta Force soldier and medic turned away from one of the cabinets he was restocking and smiled. “Owen, good to see you. Miss us already?”
“Not even close. Maddox called me in for a meeting. I need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“This is Gigi Warren, my girlfriend. She’s been attacked twice in the past three days. Although I don’t think anyone will have access to her here, I’d rather not take chances. Do you have time to keep her company until Maddox turns me loose?”
“No problem. I’ll be glad for prettier company than I’ve had so far today.”
Owen chuckled, unconcerned by the comment since Rio was devoted to his wife, Darcy.
“Want me to stay in a secure location?”
“Gigi would enjoy a tour, but don’t leave the PSI grounds.” Felt strange giving orders to one of his instructors.
“I don’t want to interrupt your work, Rio,” Gigi said. “I brought a book to read while I wait if you’re busy.”
“Never too busy for a new friend.” The medic glanced at Owen. “I’ll watch over her.”
“Thanks.” He brushed his mouth over Gigi’s. “Stay with Rio. If anything happens, do exactly what he tells you to do.”
“I’ll be fine.” She gave him a gentle push. “Go. You don’t want to be late.”
After another light kiss, Owen walked to the conference room. Time to learn the reason for urgency and secrecy.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When Owen walked into the conference room, Jackson was already seated at the large table, a cup of coffee cradled between his palms.
“Where’s