Page 118 of Missile Strike

“How’s Isabella?”

A smile tilted Danny’s lips, pride warming him. “She’s a pro. This entire gala wouldn’t be what it is without her.”

Nathan rubbed a hand over his mouth, but Danny still caught the grin. “Careful, amigo. One might think you caught feelings for your little sister’s best friend.”

Danny’s mouth opened. Then closed. Because what the hell could he say? If he denied it, Nathan would know he was lying.

A chuckle. Nathan slapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the club you tried so damn hard to stay out of.”

Outside the hotel, a siren whooped.

Both Danny and Nathan sobered, their heads turning toward the sound.

Danny pressed his mic. “Caleb, what’s the situation outside?”

“Crowd’s growing. Another guy with a megaphone just started in. Still contained.”

Too much activity.

“Still nothing on Hassan?” he asked Nathan.

Nathan’s mouth flattened. “Dude’s good. No trace of him.”

Which meant one of two things.

He was gone.

Or waiting to strike.

“I’m tracking everything this guy owns,” Nathan continued. “His car and phone are still in California, and no activity on his credit or debit cards. He’s got to be using a well-crafted fake identity or someone’s sheltering him.” His eyes turned cold. “I’ll unearth him eventually.”

The knot in Danny’s gut hardened.

Where are you, asshole?

If he were in Charlotte for either Bella or her father, he’d make his move tonight.

Leaving Nathan to return to his family, Danny did another perimeter check before returning to the reception.

Talia had arrived. She stood in the check-in line, wearing a burgundy gown that matched the shade of her hair. When she spied him, she lifted her hand and beckoned him over. “How’s Izzy?”

“Good.” He kept scanning the room. “She seems to be handling everything.”

“So, after tonight, your job here is over?”

Her comment pulled Danny’s attention back. She didn’t look away, the smile on her lips absent from her eyes.

He stiffened. “I’m not walking away from Bella.”

“So you’re staying in Charlotte.”

When he wasn’t on assignment. His shoulders shifted beneath her scrutiny. “We’ll work it out.”

Talia’s smile hardened. “Of course you will.”

Her disapproval grated on his nerves. She was Bella’s best friend. He’d have to win her over if he wanted a future with Bella, but he couldn’t help a sigh of relief when she disappeared into the ballroom.

The lead volunteer at the check-in table gave him a friendlier smile when he asked her how many people had yet to arrive.