Page 70 of Unplanned Target

We stare at each other for a second and it slowly begins to dawn on me that maybe part of Butch’s issue with me is that he knows I have an issue with him. That whole—hurt people, hurt people—thing.

So, instead of continuing to treat him like the jerk he regularly is, I tuck my head in a nod. “Noted. I’ll meet you out front.”

I hurry up to the second floor, only realizing Miranda’s right behind me when the door to our room doesn’t immediately click shut. Grabbing my bag from the closet, I face her as I start to fill it. “Are you okay with him coming out too?”

The upset Miranda will likely feel at the prospect of both me and her brother getting hurt at the same time is yet another thing that hadn’t occurred to me until now. One of us being gone at a time she can probably handle. Both of us being out doing who knows what is likely going to be a fucking nightmare.

“I have to be.” She gives me a small smile. “It’s what you guys do and you’re both really good at it.” Her lips lift a little more. “And if anyone can find Luca and Raven, it’s the two of you.”

I love how much faith she has in me. I do question the amount of faith she has in me and her brother working as a team, but maybe everything will be fine. Maybe we won’t end up injured as a result of friendly fire.

“I want you to pick out our house while I’m gone.” I move to where she stands, resting my hands on her shoulders. “Anything you want. Choose as much of it or as little. If you want me to help, I will. If you don’t, that’s fine too.”

Miranda nibbles her lower lip. “Are you expecting to be gone for a really long time?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be.” I pull her against me, leaning down to breathe against the soft strands of her hair. “But if you’re busy picking out our house, then I can spend all the time I’m away knowing you’re thinking of me as much as I’m thinking of you.”

Miranda snorts against my chest. “You know damn well I’ll be thinking of you the whole time.” She tips her head back, chin resting against my sternum. “I’m a little obsessed with you if you haven’t noticed.”

“I’ve noticed.” I press a kiss to her lips. “I love you, Mir.” Three words that come as naturally as everything else has with her. I don’t hesitate to say them. I don’t think I should hold them back. I want her to know now.

Just in case.

“I’ve noticed.” She turns my words back at me before pushing up on her toes to kiss me. “I love you too, so you better not die.”

“I won’t die.” If for no other reason than so I can finally have the home I want.

TWENTY-FIVE

MIRANDA

“You should come for a walk with me.” I try to convince Allie to join me on my daily promenade about the neighborhood. “Get some fresh air.”

“Becca said it’s super important I keep my grades in math up. If I can stay above a three-point-eight, I’ll be able to get into any program I want.” Allie hasn’t taken her eyes off her computer screen since I came into her room fifteen minutes ago. “Why don’t you ask Becca to go?”

I don’t want to admit why I’m not asking Becca to go. She’s been super unhappy since Tony’s been gone, and I’m trying really hard not to think about what might be happening while he, Owen, and Maddox are out hunting for Luca. Unfortunately, that’s all Becca wants to think about. She’s constantly trying to figure out where they are and what they’re doing. Honestly, I think she’d be happier with them, even if it meant she might die.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to admit that to Allie, though. It would either upset her, or give her terrible ideas. Possibly both.

“It’s okay. I probably should go enjoy the peace and quiet anyway.” I kiss my daughter on the head. “Happy mathing.”

“Yuh-huh.” She gives me a halfhearted wave without looking my way.

It’s turning out that making my daughter not the center of my social circle is difficult. She and Owen are the two people I prefer to hang out with over everyone else, and since he’s not here, I’ve found myself slipping back into old habits.

Parenting is hard. It makes me want to give my mom a little more grace, because she didn’t just have one headstrong pain in the ass kid. She had two.

It was probably a nightmare.

Making my way through the rooming house, I stop in the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee before going out the door closest to the neighborhood.

I’m surprised at how quiet it is this morning. The past couple days when I came out here, bulldozers were moving around dirt and backhoes were digging foundations. It was dusty and loud and definitely not what I was looking for in a morning walk.

But today it’s remarkably quiet. There’s actually not a worker in sight as I start off on my trek. Maybe it’s inspection day, and nobody can do anything until all their previous work passes muster.

Whatever the reason, I’m glad for it. Owen has only been gone a few days, but for some reason this time is worse than the last. Maybe because I know he’s close enough I could get to him if I wanted to. Close enough I could jump in one of the Jeeps and be with him in under three hours.

But I can’t. And it’s driving me a little bat shit crazy.