Page 146 of Missile Strike

“Why a storage unit?” Talia glanced around. “A nice touch, don’t you think? To be honest, I was in a rush, and the idea just came to me.”

Actually, that wasn’t what she meant. Why had her supposed best friend turned into someone she didn’t recognize? “So you didn’t plan this?”

Talia’s face twisted. “Olivia Flores forced my hand, the meddling bitch. She discovered who I was. Tied me to Omar.”

Isabella studied her, the sting of betrayal still a knife wound to her chest. “Was our entire friendship a lie?” She hated the wobble in her voice.

“Of course not.” Talia leaned in, resting her forearms on her knees, her face still bathed in the glow of her cell phone. She gave Isabella a warm smile that felt…wrong.

“I grew up without a father, you know.” Her fingers smoothed the fabric covering her knees. “Of course you know—you’re the reason.” She waved her hand as if to brush her words aside. “I always wondered what your life was like, so I looked you up. Found out where you lived.” Her smile sharpened. “Got close enough to see.”

Isabella eyed her. “See what?”

“How easy it all was for you.” Talia stood, running her hand over the rug draped over the cardboard boxes. “Two families. So similar. Except your father was labeled a hero and mine, a terrorist. Poor, traumatized Isabella.”

Something brittle entered her voice. “But what about my childhood trauma? I had to change my name and deny my entire existence just to survive.” She sat back down. Brushed her pant leg.

Fear pressed against Isabella’s skin. Tight and suffocating.

She had to make Talia listen. “I’m sorry. I guess we were both victims.”

Talia’s expression brightened. “Yes.” She leaned in again. “That’s why I feel such a kinship with you. I knew you’d understand. When you told me about what happened in Greece, I thought I’d almost gotten the one thing that would have bound us together forever—tragedy. It’d be part of your life, too. And I’d be there to help you, because I know what it’s like to lose a father.”

Isabella stared at her. “Your father went to jail. My father and brother were almost murdered.” The words were out before she thought better of them.

Talia’s lips tightened. “It’s almost the same. My mother never let us visit my father. We pretended he didn’t exist. Then, when he got out of prison, he died before I could see him, and it was too late.”

Her face smoothed. “That made me angry. You got your father back, and mine is dead.”

“Is that why you broke into my home and let Trip out? Left that horrible note on my car? Told Olivia Flores about my past?” Guesses, but the pit in her stomach warned her she already knew the answer.

Talia blinked, then went still. “I’m sorry about Trip—I’d just found out about my father. I’m glad he didn’t get hurt.” Her lips pursed. “But I wanted to ruin your perfect little life for one afternoon.”

Isabella replayed Omar’s words in her head. You think you’re safe? Not when you’re trusting the wrong person.

My family was destroyed, and yours will follow if you aren’t careful.

“What about your brother?” she asked. “What was his role in this?”

A flicker of…something…crossed Talia’s face. Then it was gone.

“He didn’t understand.” Her voice was soft. “He wanted you afraid of me. And I couldn’t let that happen—we were supposed to be best friends—sisters—forever.”

Shock knocked Isabella back in her chair. “What do you mean you—”

Talia couldn’t mean that she’d—

Omar hadn’t been stalking her.

He’d been trying to warn her.

“I didn’t want it to end like this, Izzy.” Talia stood, her expression almost sad. “But now I have no choice.”

Isabella’s heart gave one hard, heavy thud. The adrenaline ripped through her, burning the fog away.

Think.

Danny wasn’t here. Her parents were in DC. No one even knew she was missing.