Page 30 of Unplanned Target

I might throw up.

I’m not used to being a passenger, and we’re weaving through traffic at breakneck speed as Owen tries to lose the car tailing us. I know he’s not going to crash, but it’s still making my stomach roll.

Luckily, my daughter is so focused on the magazine she managed to get into the cart that she hasn’t even really noticed we’re not heading back to the cabin. Or that we’re trying to evade someone who might be trying to kill her. And me.

And Owen.

We’re at least two hours into the drive before Owen seems to calm down, the tight lines of his body relaxing just a little as we continue toward Nashville.

Toward Alaskan Security.

“Are we good?” I still haven’t turned around, and I’m dying to look behind us. But not literally dying to do it, so I’ve kept my eyes on the road and my expression as calm as possible.

“I think so.” Owen’s laser focus moves from mirror to mirror, checking the area beside and behind us. “We’ve only got about an hour left, so hopefully they haven’t called anyone to try to head us off.”

Oh God. “I didn’t even think of that.”

But now I am, and I can’t help but look at every car in front of us with suspicion.

“You don’t have to think about that.” Owen changes lanes again, putting us in a position where we can speed up and put even more distance between us and whoever was following us.

Unfortunately, it might also be closing any distance between us and whoever they might have called.

“Should we call someone too?” I narrow my eyes at an old woman behind the wheel of a Buick as we pass. “How can I tell if one of these people is after us?”

“You’re pretty good with vibes.” He grabs his phone from the console and unlocks it before opening his contacts. “You’re the one who noticed the suspicious looking car at the coffee shop, remember?”

That’s true, but I’m not sure vibes are the best way to identify potential threats. But it’s all I have to go on right now, so I scan every vehicle we pass as Owen talks to whoever he called.

“Can you send a couple cars out to escort us? I don’t see the original vehicle, but it’s probably not hard to figure out where we’re going. It wouldn’t be a stretch to assume they might contact someone farther ahead.”

He listens for a second, a smile tipping his lips. “Wasn’t my idea. I’ve been too busy driving to think of much else. This is Miranda’s idea.” Owen’s eyes slide my way. “She’s a pretty good partner in crime.”

I forget all about looking for a car with bad vibes and stare at Owen for a second, shocked at what he said.

Even the men who hire me frequently balk at my ideas. It’s the most frustrating thing to have someone seek my services out, only to then be a dick who thinks they know more than I do. Especially when they’re a dick with a failing business that proves otherwise. Kinda makes me feel like Gordon Ramsey, but with less cussing.

Slightly less cussing.

But Owen has never turned his nose up at anything I’ve said or suggested. Even when I’m pointing out suspicious cars on vibes alone, he actually listens to what I have to say. And gives me credit when he could have claimed it for himself.

It feels… not as weird as it did at first.

Owen ends the call, putting his cell back into the console. “They’re going to send a couple cars to finish out the drive.”

“Will they help make sure no one follows us?” I’m not a big fan of people showing up to shoot at me in the middle of the night, and I would love to know that I won’t be facing the same sort of thing once we get to Nashville.

“Doesn’t really matter if someone follows us. The location of our property is pretty well known.” Owen looks a little proud. “And it’s one of the most secure places you and Allie can be.”

That sounds… nice, actually. I miss my home. Mostly. But I’d rather be safe than in my own bed, so I’m not going to complain. “I guess it’s a good thing our hand was forced then, huh?”

“Driving this car halfway across the state wasn’t an ideal scenario, but I’m not mad it had to happen.” Owen glances in the rearview again. “As long as the rest of the drive is as uneventful as it’s been so far.”

“I’ll cross my fingers.” I actually do it. I did not love getting shot at and I’ll try literally anything to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Definitely one of my least favorite life moments.

In some ways. In others…

My eyes slide to Owen.