team a head start to Costa Rica. He cranked the engine. “Ready, G?”
“Let’s do this.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Protect yourself, too.”
“Deal. I didn’t intend for our first date to be a community affair. I’ll make it up to you.”
“How?”
“We’ll plan a real first date without chaperones.” For now, he had to entice the kidnappers to take the bait.
CHAPTER TWENTY
When Gigi walked into Caputo’s with Owen, she felt every gaze in the restaurant on them. Since the point was to attract attention, this should do the trick.
She glanced at Owen. Her Marine’s smile conveyed tenderness and confidence. The invisible bands around Gigi’s ribcage loosened, allowing her to suck in a full breath and return the smile.
Gigi could do this. She and Owen were a real couple, a fact that filled her with joy. No need to hide how she felt about him anymore.
Owen gave the hostess his name.
The young woman checked the computer reservation system. “Your table is ready, Deputy Montgomery. Come with me.” Scooping up menus and napkin-wrapped utensils, she led them to a corner table. “Is this table satisfactory?”
“It’s perfect. Thanks, Denise.” Owen seated Gigi, then sat with his back to the wall.
When conversation in the restaurant returned to normal, Gigi relaxed a fraction. “Thank goodness,” she murmured. “Wonder how many restaurant patrons are talking about us?”
Owen chuckled.
“I don’t like being on display.”
“I understand. What we have together is personal and private, and I wanted to keep you to myself for a while. This is our best chance of finding Toni and Ellis, though.” He squeezed her hand. “On our real first date, we’ll choose a restaurant outside of Archer where we can enjoy being together.”
“Excellent plan.”
The waiter, Rico, brought them water, then took their dinner orders.
Once they were alone, Owen kissed Gigi’s palm, melting her heart. He was an amazing man and well worth the long wait.
As they waited for their food, Owen drew her into a low-voiced conversation, telling some humorous stories about boot camp and friends in his Marine unit.
When Rico returned with their meals, Gigi and Owen took their time eating, giving the kidnappers plenty of time to set up for a confrontation. She hoped the men didn’t do anything foolish.
As they prepared to leave, Owen received a text. He glanced at his phone’s screen. Satisfaction filled his gaze. “Berry and Daniels are hovering at the edge of the parking lot, near my SUV. A few more minutes, and your part in this drama is over, G. Are you ready?”
Gigi swallowed hard, wishing she’d turned down dessert as her stomach clenched into a knot. She nodded. Those men wanted the flash drive. Owen needed her to pull this off. Everything would be fine. His team was close if anything went wrong.
Nothing better go wrong. She had plans for the Marine, and he would put himself in the line of fire to protect her. This plan had to work. The clock was ticking.
Owen stood and held out his hand. When she rose, Owen kissed her, the caress tender and brief. More gazes followed them as he escorted Gigi from the restaurant. “Stay on my left side,” he murmured as they walked out the door. “Don’t look around, G. Keep your eyes on me.”
“Not a hardship on my part,” she said. “You’re easy on the eyes, and I’m pleased to say I just staked my claim in front of a portion of Archer’s population.”
He laughed, wrapping his arm around her waist. “You’re good for my ego.”
Good grief. The man appeared relaxed. No one would suspect he was heading into a confrontation with two armed men. Owen knew how to handle himself and the situation.
The further they walked from the restaurant, the more uneasy she grew. Praying they weren’t making a deadly mistake, Gigi pressed closer to Owen’s side.
Following the plan they’d devised, Owen escorted her to the SUV. Instead of opening the door and tucking her inside as he usually did, he nudged her back against the passenger door, cupped her face between his palms, and kissed her.
Although the kiss probably looked intense to onlookers, his touch was light. The feel of his mouth on hers still sent molten lava flowing through her veins despite the circumstances.
Owen crowded her against the SUV, appearing lost in the kiss. Gigi wasn’t fooled. He used his body to shield her in case the kidnappers planned to use her as leverage like Kilgore. His fierce protectiveness tugged on her heart strings.
A deep, rough voice behind Owen said, “Turn around