I’ll make sure I packed everything.” She hurried into her room.
“Everything okay?” Brody asked.
“If I wasn’t taking my girlfriend to Mexico on a dangerous mission, I’d say life was perfect.”
Jesse stared at him. “You look like a man with a secret. Spill.”
“I called G’s father last night and received his blessing to marry her.”
Brody’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you asked her?”
“Not yet. I want to buy a ring first. As soon as we return to Archer, my first order of business will be to purchase her engagement ring.”
“Congratulations, Owen.” Jesse squeezed his shoulder. “You’re a lucky man.”
Minutes later, the rest of the Texas team gathered in the suite with their gear. “Let’s load up.” Brody hoisted his Go bag over his shoulder. “Give me your key cards. I’ll check us out and meet you at the SUV.”
Owen slid his Go bag on his shoulder and picked up Gigi’s. “Ready?”
She nodded.
“Let’s go, then. The sooner we get this done, the faster we can go home.” He brushed his mouth over hers. “I have a ring to buy for the love of my life.” Owen escorted her from the suite with his teammates on their heels.
After storing their bags in the cargo area, Owen climbed into the SUV’s middle row of seats with Gigi. Soon, Brody drove toward the vet clinic.
Less than an hour later, the Fortress jet taxied down the runway and lifted off the ground with Owen, Gigi, the Texas team, and five bodyguards on board. Once the aircraft leveled off, Owen grabbed his laptop. “We have homework to do.”
“Let’s get to it.” She winked. “I want to pass my test with flying colors.”
For the next two hours, they memorized background information and incorporated some of their own personal stories. When he was sure they were as prepared as possible, Owen put away the laptop and grabbed a blanket. “We have time for a nap before we land in Mexico.”
“Sounds great,” she admitted. “I’m tired.”
Owen raised the arm rest between their seats. “Do you mind reclining your seat? I need to hold you for a while.”
Gigi settled against him, her head resting on his chest. “Thanks for this,” she murmured.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple. “My pleasure, baby.” Within minutes, Gigi was out. She didn’t stir until he woke her on their final approach to a private airstrip an hour outside of Loera, Mexico.
Gigi’s lips curved. “I could get used to waking up in your arms.”
“What an amazing coincidence. I’ve been thinking the same thing. If I convince you to marry me, I don’t want to wait long to slide a wedding band on your finger.”
“We’ll work something out.”
His heart skipped a beat. Was she saying what he thought she was? “Do you mean that?”
“I’ve been in love with you for more than a decade. What do you think?”
He blew out a breath. Gigi Warren owned his heart, and he wanted the world to know that she was his. “I want this mission to be over,” he murmured. After sharing a tender kiss, Owen and Gigi raised the back of their seats.
When they landed, two SUVs were parked at the edge of the tarmac with four armed men waiting beside them. Brody glanced at Owen. “You and Gigi remain on board until I’m sure it’s safe.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Texas team filed off the jet, armed and alert for trouble.
“What’s going on?” Gigi asked.
“Our rides are here along with four unidentified armed men. Once Brody is sure it’s safe for us to leave the jet, we’ll drive one of the SUVs to our destination. Zane made reservations for us at a luxury resort on the beach.”
“I should have packed a bathing suit.”
“We’ll pick up what we need. I’m sure the resort has everything.”
“If someone is watching us, won’t the fact that I didn’t pack for an ocean swim look odd?”
“Gina Michaels loves to shop, remember? Picking up new bathing suits constitutes shopping in my world.” He cupped her cheek. “Remember, G, the minute we step off this jet, we’re on stage even if we don’t think we’re being watched. That includes our room. We have to be Owen and Gina Michaels every minute to pull this off.”
“I understand. I do have excellent taste in husbands.”
He laughed, glad Gigi infused this situation with humor.
Sawyer boarded the jet. “We’re clear. The four men are CIA agents, and owe Maddox a favor. They’ll help the bodyguards protect the jet.”
Owen’s eyebrows soared. “Does Maddox have information he hasn’t shared?”
The operative snorted. “Always.