Page 78 of Unplanned Target

It would also probably lead to more bad decisions.

Becca’s smile widens. “For real?”

“For real.” I think back to the conversation Owen and I had about house placement. “Maybe you and Tony can buy the lot next to us.”

Becca seems thrilled by the plan, and pretty much runs out, abandoning her post to go find out if either of the lots beside us are available.

I take advantage of the silence and close my eyes, relaxing a little as the pain meds Eli gave me course through my veins and soothe the throb in my head and the sharp stab that happens every time I breathe.

Zeke practically had to drag Owen away from my side. He was determined to stay with me, and for a second I thought he might start throwing punches over it. But after reminding him I was going to be just fine, and it was very important he join my brother and Maddox for the debrief, he finally relented.

And I am kind of glad, because I need a few minutes on my own. A little time to process what just happened.

Not to me. I don’t give a shit what happened to me. What I’m struggling with, is what happened to the girls filling those other rooms. I don’t know how long they’d been there, but it doesn’t matter. One hour would have been too long.

Part of me feels guilty that I didn’t recognize Eugene earlier. That I didn’t somehow magically identify him as a threat. I was too busy trying to be the best at my job to even consider that someone might be using that angle in an attempt to get their hands on me and my daughter in an effort to punish my brother.

And that’s the primary reason I sent Owen to the debrief. I want him to be there for Tony. I want my brother to have someone to lean on. Someone who will hopefully help him see this isn’t his fault.

I doze off, likely from the adrenaline crash and the pain meds, but wake with a start when the door clicks open. Allie stands just inside the room, her eyes shiny as they move over me.

“Hey, Allie Bug.” I lift one arm, beckoning her closer. “You can come sit down.”

“You look terrible.” Her lips flatten into a hard line. “Do they know who did this to you?”

“Yes, and most of them are dead.” I’d like to say all, but I know that’s not true. “And I’m pretty sure Heidi is going to be able to find the rest.”

I guess that’s only if Luca and Raven don’t find them first. In the chaos of everything that happened, somehow the two of them slipped away, disappearing yet again. Owen was livid when he found out, but there was no way anyone could go after them. Getting the girls to safety was more important.

“I’m going to help her.” Allie comes toward me, reaching out to grasp my hand with both of hers. “This is what I want to do. I want to help find bad guys and make sure they get what they deserve.”

“I think you will be amazing at it.” I give her hands a squeeze with mine.

My daughter hesitates for a second, but then blurts out, “I want to stay here in Nashville.”

I was already under that impression, but hearing her say it out loud relieves any lingering guilt I was holding about making her leave behind the only home she’s ever known. “Me too.”

One corner of her mouth tips up. “Are we gonna live with Owen?”

“Probably.” I watch her face so I can gauge her reaction. “Would you be okay with that?”

“Sure.” Her smile turns to a grin. “That’ll probably make it easier for him to teach me all the self-defense moves he knows.”

I might have to add a grappling room to the floor plan.

Allie plops into the chair next to me and helps me drink a little Sprite and nibble on a few crackers. We’re well into a conversation about how she would like her new room to look, and whether or not she can have a pet, when Owen and my brother come in, both looking about as happy as I expected them to.

Allie looks between us, taking in everyone’s expressions with a groan. “You’re kicking me out, aren’t you?”

“Sorry, Al.” My brother looks genuinely apologetic. “We need to talk to your mom.”

“I can’t wait till I get to hear all the good stuff.” She stands from her chair, pausing at Tony’s side. “One day I’m going to be the one who doesn’t tell you the good stuff.”

She leaves the room, closing the door behind her with a huff.

Tony watches her go, then turns to me. “What the fuck was that about?”

“You know damn well what that was about. She wants to do what Heidi does.” I try to lift my brows which is a terrible idea, so I just end up wincing. “So it sounds like she’s going to be on the same team as her Aunt Becca.”