Page 69 of Unplanned Target

“Perfect.” I press a kiss to her temple as the sun dips below the horizon. It’s still relatively bright out, but it will be dark soon, so we make our way back to the main building, looking over all the equipment collecting at the edge of the neighborhood.

“It’s probably going to get pretty crazy out here when they start bringing in materials, huh?” Miranda seems disappointed. “I might not be able to go for my walks for a while.”

“I’m sure you can still go for them, they just won’t be quite as peaceful.” I open the door leading inside. “I bet if our house is one of the ones they’re working on, you wouldn’t mind as much.”

I’m not sure if it’s even doable, but I’m going to find out.

After dropping Miranda off in the kitchen where Allie and Becca are hanging out, I go in search of Zeke, hoping he might know what my options are. Not only is he practically running the property, he’s also been through the house-building process himself, so if anyone knows, it will be him.

Luckily, I find Zeke in his office.

Unfortunately, his expression looks grim.

“What’s wrong?” I sit across from him, bracing myself for the probability I’m about to be sent out on assignment.

“What isn’t fucking wrong?” He shakes his head. “Heidi finally started making some headway tracking these fuckers down, and all the sudden they all go radio silent. Fall off the face of the fucking earth.” He stands up, pacing from one side of the small room to the other. “And they’re not the only ones. I haven’t been able to get in touch with Luca for three days.”

That has my brows lifting. “He’s only been gone for five.”

I thought it was strange Luca and Raven hadn’t shown up here at headquarters. But I’ve had plenty of other things to focus on, so I hadn’t really thought that much about it.

Now I’m wondering if their disappearing act might be connected to the sudden silence of the men Heidi was able to track down. If it is...

“We have to go find him.” Luca is good at what he does. One of the best. But one man can only accomplish so much on his own. Especially when he’s up against a group with numbers we can’t fully estimate. “Where was he the last time you talked to him?”

“He made it to Memphis, and was trying to find Raven. She wasn’t where she was supposed to be, but he assured me he would track her down and then bring her here.” Zeke makes another lap across the room. “When he didn’t show up, I started calling. Everything is turned off. His phone. His tracking device. All of it’s untraceable.”

“Why in the hell would he turn off his tracking device?” Sometimes that’s the only way someone can find you. Revealing your location can be deadly in this job. When that’s the case, your only option is to hunker down and wait.

“You’re fucking guess is as good as mine.” Zeke drops into his chair. “But when I find him, I’m going to shove that tracker right up his ass.”

“That’s not a bad idea. He’ll have a helluva time turning it off then.” I consider our options. “Do you want me to go look for him? See if I can find out what happened?” Leaving Miranda behind is never ideal, but I can’t stand the thought of Luca possibly being out there needing help. “Maybe his tracking device malfunctioned.”

“Heidi doesn’t seem to think that’s the case.” Zeke runs one hand through his hair. “I hope she’s right, because if he’s been sitting and waiting for us for three days, there’s no telling what could have happened.”

I stand. “I’ll go get Maddox. We will head out tonight. See what we can find out.”

Zeke seems undecided, his expression tense as he considers. Finally he nods. “Do it.”

I normally wouldn’t try to talk myself into having to leave Miranda, but Luca might need me, and I’m sure as hell not going to let him down.

I make my way back into the rooming building where I left Miranda, and discover Butch has joined the group. I try not to look annoyed by his presence as I go to where Miranda works in the kitchen. Resting a hand against her back, I explain the unfortunate turn of events I brought on myself. “I have to leave.”

Her eyes jump to my face, the hand stirring the pan of sizzling onions freezing in place. “Why?”

“Luca disappeared three days ago. We haven’t been able to get in touch with him. Maddox and I are going to go see if we can find him.” The savory scent of Miranda’s cooking makes my stomach growl, but I don’t have time to linger and eat before I go. “I’m going to go pack a bag and then head out.”

“I thought Luca was with Raven?” Becca’s voice is way closer than I expect it to be.

I turn and find her standing right behind me, her expression unhappy.

“He is. Raven’s gone too.” I feel bad telling Becca that, but she should probably know. She and Raven became friends during our op in Memphis. The two women are about as different as can be, but somehow got along amazingly. “That’s another reason I need to go now.”

“I’m going with you.” Butch pushes up from the chair he’s been sitting in. “I’ll go get my shit.”

I look him over. “Have you been cleared to go out yet?”

“Of course I’ve been cleared to go out.” He glares at me like I’m the dumbest fucker he’s ever seen. “Do you think I would go out if I wasn’t? I’m an asshole, but not a piece of shit.”