Page 32 of Unplanned Target

“For now.” I answer the only way I can since I have zero clue what’s going to be happening.

I don’t know when we’ll be able to go back to Memphis. Or if I really want to. I loved our home, but it carried reminders of a past I’d rather forget. A marriage I shouldn’t have entered into.

But I can’t regret it, because then I wouldn’t have my daughter. And while she definitely tests my limits, I can’t imagine being without her. I love the shit out of that kid. She’s my favorite person in the world. And as long as I can keep her alive long enough, she’s gonna be an amazing adult.

Owen rests a hand on my back, urging me along the same paved path the four men and Allie took. I try to take everything in as we enter the building, but I’m overwhelmed. It’s so much and I’m so exhausted. Being followed by men who probably want to murder me is surprisingly taxing.

“Let’s go to the rooming area first.” Owen directs me away from what appears to be a large lobby, taking us into a wide hall that seems to be a walkway connecting this building to the one beside it. “This property’s setup is loosely based on the architecture of our Alaskan campus. We were lucky enough to find a place that already had a number of buildings that suited our needs, so it came together pretty quickly.” He pushes through a door into the next building. “There’s still a lot of work to be done, but at least we’re up and running.”

“I bet that’s super helpful considering how much is going on around here.” Allie wanders from one side of the hall to the other, weaving in front of us. “Did you know what was happening when you came here?”

Owen’s mouth flattens a little. “What do you mean?”

“I mean the trafficking ring.” Allie peers into a room with a few glass windows giving a view of the inside. “What’s this place?”

“That’s one of our training rooms.” Owen continues moving me past the mirror walled space. “How do you know about the trafficking ring?”

“My Uncle Tony.” Allie says it casually. Like I’m not going to murder my brother the next time I see him for telling my child about shit she doesn’t need to know.

Except she probably does. As sickening as it is, the men doing this—and there’s not a doubt in my mind it is men—are targeting girls her age. While I think of her as a kid, they do not. They see her as something else, and it makes my stomach turn.

They should all have their dicks cut off, ground into meat, and then fed back to them. I’d totally offer to do it myself. I’d even use my own blender.

Except I’ll probably never freaking see it again because those same dicks destroyed my house. So maybe I’ll have to smash them into a pulp with a hammer. I’m sure I can figure something out. I’m a problem solver like that.

We pass through another set of doors, and Owen takes us up a set of stairs to the second floor. It’s basically one long hallway with doors running up each side. Pulling out his phone, he sifts through his messages. “Looks like Allie’s going to be in room five.” He goes to the door and punches a code into the keypad. The lock disengages and Owen opens it up to reveal what looks a whole lot like a hotel room. It’s got a bed with crispy white linens and a pile of pillows. There’s a desk in one corner and a set of drawers in the other.

“The bathroom’s in here.” He pushes open a door at the other side of the room and flips on the light to reveal a utilitarian, but clean, bathroom with sparkling white tile and chrome fixtures. “There’s a closet where you can hang up the clothes we got at the store.”

“This is awesome.” Allie falls backward onto the mattress, spreading her arms wide. “I can’t wait to take a nap.”

Me freaking either.

“There’s a kitchen with all kinds of food on the first floor. Go down there whenever you want. Eat anything you’d like.” Owen turns to me. “You want to see your room?”

“Yes.” I’m so freaking tired. “Please.”

“You got it.” Owen and I go back out into the hall, leaving Allie to do whatever she’s going to do.

Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about her getting abducted—or worse—anymore.

The next door down is apparently mine. Owen rattles off the code as he punches it in, then opens it to let us in. I’m expecting it to look identical to Allie’s, but this room is actually much nicer. Like hers, it’s got a bed and a desk, along with a chest. But this one also has a small kitchenette area and the bathroom is significantly nicer.

“Wow.” I turn in place, taking in the much more luxurious cover on the bed and the higher quality pillows. “Why is this room so different from the one Allie’s in?”

“Some of these are single rooms and some are suites.” Owen gestures around us. “I thought you might be more comfortable having a little extra space since you work from home.”

“I mean.” I rub my eyes. “I’m not sure it matters since I can’t work right now.” I groan. “I have no clue what in the hell I’m going to do about it either. I’m going to lose all my freaking clients.” I sigh, dropping to my ass on the end of the bed. “It’s fine. As long as Allie’s safe, it’s worth whatever happens.”

Owen’s eyes are serious as they study me. “She’ll be safe here. I promise.”

I stare at him, a weird feeling I’m not used to washing over me. “I know.”

And I do. Because I trust this man.

He makes it easy to believe what he says and have faith in what he promises.

It’s freaking bizarre.