Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,85
to open the gate and waved Owen through.
Gigi blew out a breath after they passed the gate and entered the long, winding drive. “Tell me the mission gets easier from here.”
“I wish I could.” He glanced at Gigi. “Do you want to leave?”
“Definitely, but I’m not running. We’ll do what we came to do and leave before trouble descends on us like a swarm of angry hornets. I’d rather not end up on the bad side of the extra party guests.”
“Good plan,” Owen murmured although things wouldn’t be as simple or as fast as he wanted. Another guard pointed to an area for Owen to park.
Turning off the engine, he glanced at Gigi. “I’ll be separated from you while Gonzalez and I negotiate terms for the weapons deal. Don’t wander off. I need to know exactly where to find you. If gunfire breaks out, hit the floor and hide, just like we discussed.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’ll be fine. I’m not the target.”
Maybe not, but the feds also didn’t care that she was part of an undercover mission, either. “Promise me.”
“I give you my word that I’ll follow your instructions to the letter.”
“Two guards approaching on your left, Owen,” Sawyer murmured.
The strangers stalked toward the SUV. One of them gestured with his AK-47 for Owen to exit the SUV. The second guard walked toward the passenger side of the vehicle.
“Gonzalez must have bought the AKs by the crate at a discount,” Owen said.
Soft chuckles came through the comm system.
Owen kissed the back of Gigi’s hand. “Wait for me to open your door.” He stepped onto the driveway. When the guard motioned for him to turn around, Owen raised his eyebrow. “Problem?”
“Weapons search.”
He snorted. “I’m armed and will stay that way. If Gonzalez objects, I’ll leave and take my money to another dealer.”
The guard scowled. “No search, no admittance.”
“Call Gonzalez. Now.”
The second man snapped, “Luis, the boss is expecting Michaels. Call or let him through.”
A muscle in Luis’s jaw twitched. He glared at Owen. “Don’t move.” He backed up a few steps and grabbed his cell phone. He spoke rapidly to someone in a low voice.
Owen kept an eye on Guard Two who inched closer to Gigi. “Back off,” he snapped at the second man.
With a frown, Guard Two retreated a few steps.
Luis approached Owen. “Gonzalez gave you permission to enter the house armed. If you draw your weapon, we’ll kill you and your girlfriend.”
Owen glared at Luis. “Gina is my wife, not my girlfriend. You will treat her with respect.”
“What about the wife?” Guard Two asked, eyeing her through the windshield. “Should we search her for weapons?”
“No one touches her.” Owen circled the hood and opened the passenger door for Gigi. “Stay close to me,” he whispered when he leaned down to kiss her briefly.
“Luis?” Guard Two fingered the trigger of his AK-47.
“Let her pass, Jose. Gonzalez gave permission for both of them to enter without a search.”
“I don’t trust him,” Jose said, glaring at Owen.
“Michaels won’t try anything. He knows what will happen if he does. Besides, security is everywhere inside. Michaels will have eyes on him from the moment he walks inside the front door.” Luis smirked as his gaze skimmed over Gigi. “The other guards will kill her first if you try anything, Michaels. You won’t get another warning.”
“Understood.” Owen wrapped his arm around Gigi’s waist and tucked her against his side.
Someone inside the house must have warned Gonzalez they were approaching the house because the front door opened when Owen and Gigi reached the top of the stairs. The weapons dealer himself stood in the doorway. Though his expression was neutral, his eyes reminded Owen of a viper’s, cold and merciless.
After a swift glance at Owen, the weapons dealer turned his attention to Gigi. Those cold eyes heated as he took in her appearance. His lips curved. “You must be Mrs. Michaels. My men didn’t tell me how beautiful you are. Come, my dear.” Gonzalez reached for Gigi’s arm. “I’ll introduce you to my beloved Maria.”
Owen caught Gonzalez’s wrist before the weapons dealer touched Gigi’s skin. “No one touches my wife but me.”
“Ah, a possessive man?”
“Very. Gina stays with me until we talk business.” His hand cruised along Gigi’s upper arm in silent comfort.
“As you wish.” The weapons dealer’s eyes glittered with anger despite his mild tone. “Perhaps when you know me better, you will allow your wife to wander more than an arm’s length away from you.” His gaze slid to Gigi. “Come, both of