Page 124 of Missile Strike

Isabella twisted her head to see Talia standing behind her.

Talia gave a stilted shrug. “I was defending my friend.” Her face was still pale. “What happened with that man?”

“The police arrested him. He’s on his way to jail.”

“Did he say anything?”

Danny’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”

“I don’t know.” Talia threw up her hands. “Like why he attacked Izzy and not her father?”

“No, and I didn’t get the chance to ask before the police read him his rights.” His face told Isabella what he’d left unsaid—he’d wanted his shot at Hassan.

His fingers caressed her cheek. “I’ve got to get these people safely out of here. After you’ve said goodbye to your parents, stay with Nathan until I come for you.”

Warm, firm lips pressed to hers. Then he slipped out of the ballroom, already talking to someone through his mic.

She brought her fingers to her mouth as if she could hold him there.

“I’m going home.” Talia’s fingers toyed with her ring, her shoulders tight.

“Thank you for looking out for me.” Isabella reached for her. For a beat, Talia didn’t return the embrace. Then her arms tightened briefly around Isabella’s shoulders before she stepped back.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Talia promised before she, too, slipped out the door.

Isabella wandered over to join her parents, Rory and Annalise.

“Darling.” Her mother hugged her, then set her back, giving her a once-over, concern darkening her blue eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“A little shaken,” she admitted. “But I’m safe.”

With Olivia Flores put on notice and Omar Hassan in custody, maybe things could finally settle down.

“That man should never have gotten close to you.” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “And why was your bodyguard kissing you?”

Heat blossomed in her chest and moved up her neck to her cheeks.

“Graham.” Her mother placed a warning hand on her father’s arm.

The senator held up his palm. “I only object to the timing. You could do much worse than Danny Mayhew. At least you’ll be safe with him.”

A buried doubt resurfaced, slithering its way through Isabella’s thoughts. “I’m not with Danny because he can keep me safe.”

She wasn’t.

Right?

She loved him.

“Whatever the reason, we approve.” Her mom, ever the peacemaker. “You did a fantastic job on the gala.”

She shot her mother a wry look. “Other than the protesters and the crazy man.”

Her father gave a dismissive shake of his head. “Not your fault, and it all worked out.”

“I want to leave.” Annalise was pale, her breathing shallow. “I need to call my parents and check on Brooks.”

Rory put an arm around his wife. “We came, like you asked, Dad. Maybe it was too soon. We’re going home to Texas and staying out of your campaign.”