Page 54 of Unplanned Target

Becca looks from Allie to me, then refocuses on my daughter. “I do know math. I’m really good at it.”

A lot of people don’t like when women claim ownership of their capabilities, but I love that shit. I’m not going to dumb down who I am so someone feels more secure in themselves. And it seems like Becca isn’t either. Makes me think maybe there’s a possibility Heidi won’t be my only friend for long.

“Are you hungry? We’re having paninis if you want one.” I motion at the table where my daughter’s sitting. “If you guys want to get started on homework, I’ll finish up and bring our sandwiches over when they’re done.”

While I won’t pretend I’m less for anyone else, I’m also not going to pretend I’m more either. Acting like I can have any part in what they’re doing isn’t going to happen. So while Becca and Allie get started on homework, I continue making lunch, toasting each of us a sandwich, then loading plates with a side of premade potato salad and chips. Once everything is done, I deliver our plates and a round of bottled water, before taking my seat with them.

I listen as Becca explains algebra to my daughter. She definitely wasn’t exaggerating when she claimed to be good at math. The woman is fucking brilliant. Not only that, she’s very good at explaining things in a way that seems simple for Allie to understand. Hell, even I almost understand what she’s saying.

By the end of Becca’s little impromptu lesson, my daughter is smiling and happy. Way different from the frustrated teenager who was ready to throw her computer out a window.

Definitely gets that move from me.

As we finish up our meal, Allie asks Becca all sorts of questions. How she knows so much about math. Where in Memphis she lives. How she and my brother know each other.

I’m pretty surprised to find out Tony has ended up with a software engineer. He’s not stupid, but academics were certainly never his strong suit.

Then I find out Becca met him a decade ago when he was working undercover, and I’m really surprised.

“Have you guys been together for a decade?” No way would my brother have kept something like this a secret from me. Even if he did, I think I would have noticed him spending time with someone. At least I would hope he would have spent time with her. But he’s at my house regularly. Regularly enough it never occurred to me he had a significant other.

“Oh no.” Becca shakes her head aggressively. “I hadn’t seen him in years and years.” She takes a bite of her sandwich. “Actually, I figured I would never see him again. It’s super weird that our paths crossed.”

That is pretty weird. Especially since my brother no longer works for the police force. “When did you guys run into each other?”

“Butch was investigating the group that was responsible for kidnapping my sister.” Becca looks over Allie. “She’s your age.”

My chest goes tight. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks.” Becca gives me a weak smile. “We found her, but she’s never going to be the same.”

I don’t know what to say. How to provide support. Words won’t do shit right now. I remember when my husband walked away, leaving behind a mountain of debt and a daughter he had no intention of supporting or seeing ever again. All the people who told me how sorry they were. How terrible it was. That he was a piece of shit and I was better off without him. It made me want to scream, because of course it was terrible and he was a piece of shit. Having the obvious pointed out to me over and over again did nothing but piss me off.

And that situation’s nothing compared to the horror Becca and her sister have been through. So instead of saying something pointless or infuriating, I reach out and grab Becca’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

She jumps a little, like my touch was unexpected, her eyes fixing on where my fingers grip hers.

I’m about to pull away, feeling like a dick, because obviously that was also the wrong thing to do. But then Becca’s eyes come to my face, and she gives me a more genuine smile, returning my squeeze.

“I’m really glad you and Tony found each other.” I’m starting to see a little bit more why she and my brother are a good fit. Becca’s not overly emotional or loud. I would imagine her calm, levelheadedness pairs well with his tendency to be reactive.

It’s a realization that hits pretty close to home.

“Me too.” Becca releases my hand, scooping up a forkful of potato salad. “I wish he would stop trying to fight with Owen, though.” She shakes her head. “It’s not like anything happened between us.”

What?

Becca continues eating like she didn’t just lay that little nugget between us and send my brain on a downward spiral.

“Between you and who?” Maybe I’m simply misunderstanding. Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions because Owen has been gone for so long and how much I miss him is occupying an embarrassingly substantial amount of my brain.

“Me and Owen.” Becca bluntly dashes any hopes I have for misunderstanding. “Owen, Luca, and Maddox had to come help me escape my house one night. Butch seems to think Owen liked me.” She shrugs. “And maybe he did. He carried me around a lot.”

Breaking a chair over Becca’s head would probably be a slight overreaction to this news. Especially since she doesn’t seem to have had any interest at all in Owen.

It is making me question her level of intelligence though. Maybe we should have someone check Allie’s homework. Because why in the hell would anyone choose my asshole, arrogant, pissy brother over sweet, calm, controlled Owen?

They wouldn’t, because that would be stupid.