Page 6 of Innocent Target

James smiled at Imari. “A couple of weeks.”

“Well, that’s good for you. The first few weeks they sleep a lot. It’s around six weeks when they really come alive. My mom always said it was like they were leading you into a false sense of security, and then boom, no more sleep for you.”

Alex stepped up behind Imari, tilting his head. “How the hell do you know all this?”

“I have six younger siblings.”

“Oh, wow.”

“I know, right. My parents couldn’t keep it in their pants.”

“Do we have a plan?” Alex moved to the bank of computers.

“Mercy and I are going to head north and hide out with Abbie. We suspect the leader of the Havoc Henchmen MC may be Abbie’s father. We can’t let him find her. Then we need to find my sister and find out why she ran.”

Imari slipped into the seat, her fingers flying over the keys as he spoke.

“When are you leaving?” Alex asked as he took a seat beside Imari, bracing his hands on his legs.

“As soon as we have what we need.”

The door swung open, and Emme walked into the room. “Cleo just called. She said to email her the list of what you need, and she’ll have it here before you leave in the morning.”

Mercy grinned. “That woman is a saint.”

Abbie wriggled beneath his hand, and he lifted her to cradle her in his arms. Worrying about her being cold, he reached for the blanket in the bag Beth had left and pulled it out. As he did, a note dropped out.

“What the hell?”

He reached for it, but Mercy beat him to it, picking it up and passing it to him as she came to sit beside him.

With quick fingers, he unfolded it and began to read.

James,

I know this is a shock, but Abbie isn’t safe with me. I heard something I shouldn’t have, and now my only option is to run. I give you full power of attorney over Abbie. Her father is a dangerous man called Scorpion. I made a mistake getting caught up with the Henchmen, but now I plan to put it right. Keep my baby safe and tell her I love her always.

Love,

Beth

xx

James felt his stomach churn with fear for his sister. Mercy took the letter and read it aloud for the others. He tried to process the words and struggled. He could practically taste the terror and pain in his sister’s note.

“So, Scorpion is where we start.” Imari glanced at Alex, who pulled himself to the keyboard and began to type.

The two seemed to have some hidden rhythm that worked between them. Only a few weeks together and they already worked flawlessly as a team.

“Why don’t you get some sleep? I can watch Abbie,” Mercy offered.

James shook his head. “I won’t sleep anyway. I’d rather stay here and find out what I can before we leave.”

Mercy smiled at him, and his heart constricted. He wished she could see how much he cared for her, but maybe a few days alone would give him the time he needed to turn this around. However, his priority was Beth and Abbie right now. Finding Beth and keeping his niece safe was imperative. First though, he needed to warn his family.

“I need to call Mel and my parents.”

“Do you think Beth will go there?”