Page 22 of Unplanned Target

Speaking of…

“I sent someone to check on your house.” I turn to where she sits on the sofa, looking so much more fragile than I know she is. “It wasn’t good news.” I wouldn’t normally tell a client something like this right now, but Miranda seems to like being informed. She likes knowing the truth of what’s happening. And I get it. I wouldn’t want to be in the dark either. Especially in circumstances like this.

She visibly swallows. “How bad is it?”

“It’s pretty bad.” I have photos, but I won’t offer them up unless she asks. Knowing and seeing are two different things. “Nothing that can’t be fixed, but I think you’re probably going to need to find somewhere else to stay for a little bit.”

In addition to being ransacked, whoever’s responsible took their frustrations out on Miranda’s furniture and drywall. Seeing the home she clearly put time, effort, and money into being destroyed just for the sake of destruction made my blood boil. Tearing up her home simply because she and her daughter both outsmarted them is fucking bullshit.

But par for the course with the men we’ve been dealing with.

“I don’t understand why this is happening.” Miranda rubs her temples. “I know Allie was friends with Kinsley, but it’s not like they were best friends. Why would they decide to focus on Allie?”

This is yet another part of this I don’t want to explain, but feel like I have to. “It probably has more to do with your brother than Allie.”

Miranda’s dark brows lift. “With Tony? Why?”

I peer out the window once more, scanning the area in front of the cabin before crossing the room to sit next to Miranda. “Butch and Alaskan Security—the company I work for—have both been investigating the group likely responsible for Kinsley’s disappearance. With his help, we were able to get closer to them than we have up to this point, and managed to rescue a group of girls from one of their properties.”

“I don’t see what that has to do with me or Allie.” Miranda twists on the couch so she can face me more completely. “We don’t have anything to do with that.”

“Technically, no. But guilt by association is a very real thing.” I reach out to adjust the blanket tucked around her shoulders. “And if they believe they can get your brother through you or your daughter, they will absolutely try.”

Miranda’s eyes widen. “Does Tony know about this?”

That’s a really good question. One I’d also like the answer to. Simply so I can be prepared. “I don’t know. I’d assume if he has regained consciousness, some information has been provided to him.

Miranda sighs. “Hopefully they don’t tell him too much, or his stupid ass will try to climb out of the hospital bed to come find us.”

I can’t help but chuckle, because she is absolutely right. “Hopefully, whoever talks to him keeps his temperament in mind.”

Miranda turns a little more, tucking her feet up onto the cushion between us as she rests her cheek against the back. “I guess you’ve noticed some of my family’s genetics run pretty strong.”

“I have noticed that.” My smile is easy as I think about the streak of determined independence Miranda, Butch, and Allie seem to share. “I wish more people had those same sort of genes.”

Miranda frowns, her brows pinching together. “Really?”

“Absolutely. Independent, determined people can accomplish anything.” In my experience they tend to be fiercely protective and highly motivated. The sort you can rely on. The kind of people you can trust. Many of them are on my team, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Miranda’s eyes narrow. “I don’t know if I believe you.”

I shrug. “I won’t tell you your brother and I haven’t butted heads, because we have. But at the end of the day, I know I can trust him. I know if I need him, he’ll be there. I know he’ll always do what’s right, no matter what it costs him.”

“That’s technically all true.” A small smile curves her lips. “But he’s still kind of a dick.”

“I won’t argue with you on that one.” I grin. “But he’s sort of growing on me.”

Butch and I didn’t get off to the best start, but I feel like we’ve found some common ground. Of course, I may lose that footing once he finds out I was sitting mostly naked in his private cabin with his sister.

“You said you were working with him.” Miranda’s eyelids seem to be getting heavy, her blinks coming slower and slower. “Does that mean he’s working for Alaskan Security now?”

It’s not my place to tell Miranda about her brother’s business. It’s not my place to keep Butch’s secrets either. Considering she’s been dragged into this, I’d say she deserves at least a little information.

“Seems like.” And he’s actually a pretty good fit if you ask me. “It sounds like he might end up moving to Nashville where we have one of our home bases.”

Miranda yawns, delicately covering her mouth with one hand. “Is that where you live now? Nashville?”

I nod. “It is. We’re building a subdivision attached to the main campus. Right now, I’m staying in one of the basic apartments in the primary building, but eventually, I’ll probably build a house of my own there.”