Page 138 of Missile Strike

“I can’t believe she called you first, trying to get more information on me and my relationship with Danny.” Isabella pinched a large green olive between her fingers and took a bite, savoring the subtle, briny taste. She nodded toward Talia’s glass of white. “You’ve hardly touched your wine.”

“I’m driving, remember?” Talia took a sip anyway, her fingers tightening around the stem. “You, on the other hand, should have another and loosen up. What’s with the moping?”

Isabella’s shoulders tensed. “I’m not moping.”

Her life was back to normal. Back at AegisShield, organizing trade events. Out of the public eye—where she intended to stay despite Olivia Flores.

Just her and Trip.

It all felt so…steady.

Routine.

Danny had gone and taken all the vibrant colors in her world with him.

Damn. Maybe she was moping.

“I miss him.”

Talia leaned forward slightly. “Are you afraid he won’t come back?”

“No. I—” Isabella’s phone rang.

Danny.

She pulled it from her purse and glanced at the caller ID, her shoulders dipping. “It’s Olivia Flores again. Maybe I should answer it this time.”

“No.” Talia’s voice rang out. Too strident. Too loud.

Isabella drew back, her hand flying to her chest.

Talia exhaled. “That woman doesn’t deserve a minute of your time. Don’t let her ruin our night out. You can call her back tomorrow when you haven’t been drinking.”

The phone dropped back into Isabella’s purse. “You’ve been on edge since the gala. Is everything okay?”

“I’m shocked you’re not more upset.” Talia took another taste of her wine, this time a swallow, not a sip. “A man attacked you.” Her gaze drifted, unfocused. “And now he’s dead.”

The bruschetta in Isabella’s mouth turned to sawdust. “I actually feel sorry for him.”

Talia’s brows flew skyward, disbelief echoing in her tone. “You do?”

She nodded slowly. “He seemed so desperate. I won’t lie—he scared me. But…” she hesitated. “He was as much a victim of his father’s actions as I was.”

Talia tilted her head. Studied Isabella. “That’s very perceptive of you, Izzy.” Then she seemed to shake off the change in mood. “Let’s not spend our night out talking about the past.”

“Cheers to that.” Isabella forced a smile and lifted her glass. The wine sent a warm flush through her veins, loosening the tension in her body.

They kept the rest of the evening light, sticking to safer topics.

Talia was uncharacteristically quiet on the ride back to Isabella’s townhome. When she pulled into the driveway, she shut off her engine.

The motion lights on the security camera lit up the driveway.

Talia glanced up at the light and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m not feeling well. Something I ate didn’t agree with me. Can I use your bathroom?”

Isabella peered at her friend. Talia did seem…off. “Of course.” She stepped out of Talia’s car and opened the garage door with the keypad, then deactivated the house security system.

Talia followed her inside and headed straight for the powder room next to the kitchen.