Page 38 of Missile Strike

“Isabella’s front door was open when she got home,” Danny said.

Talia’s head snapped up. “Did someone break in?”

Danny’s mouth tightened. “Her alarm wasn’t set. I was about to check her cameras to see if they recorded anything.”

“Cameras.” The word dragged over Isabella’s tongue.

Oops. “I switched internet providers right before I went to Greece. The name of my network changed, and—”

“It’s my fault,” Talia cut in. “I was supposed to help her fix it.”

“And all the security cameras went offline,” Danny finished grimly. “We need to fix this. Now.”

He extended his hand to Isabella. “Is the app on your phone? I can get your system up and running again.”

Isabella’s stomach twisted. Open doors. Alarms. Cameras.

Her fingers pressed into her thigh. You are in control.

She made her reply as nonchalant as possible. “Sure.” Unlocking her phone, she handed it to Danny.

“I can help,” Talia offered. She gave Danny a shrug. “I helped her set it up the first time—it will go faster if you handle the device resets and I set up the pairing on Izzy’s phone.”

As Danny and Talia set about getting her cameras back online, Isabella moved around the kitchen on autopilot, throwing together a quick meal of pasta and bagged salad. The air in her home felt tainted somehow, as if a stranger had exhaled in her personal space. And yet, nothing was amiss.

She was letting her imagination get away from her.

“So, Danny…” Talia’s voice carried into the kitchen as she and Danny stood at the front door. “Izzy tells me you two knew each other in high school in California and that you left to become a Navy SEAL?”

Isabella’s head jerked up.

Danny’s eyes found hers across the expanse of the living room. “Bella and my sister Jaynie were best friends.”

“I understand she passed away from cancer,” Talia said. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks.” Even from where Isabella stood in the kitchen, she could see the tension invade his body.

Her heart twinged. Jaynie had never been an easy topic for him. That, apparently, hadn’t changed.

When Talia went to follow Danny outside, Isabella motioned her over. “Don’t get too nosy,” she whispered.

“What?” Talia gave her a wide-eyed look that Isabella knew was fake. “I’m just making polite small talk.”

Isabella let out a defeated sigh as Talia hurried to catch up to Danny. By the time they returned from resetting the exterior cameras, she had dinner ready.

“I’ll leave you ladies to it.” Danny flashed a grin that set her on edge. Even after all these years, she knew when he’d retreated behind a friendly, casual façade that he wasn’t feeling.

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” There was just enough pasta to accommodate a third person.

He shook his head. “Thanks. I already ate. Set your alarm after Talia leaves.”

Something was off. “I’ll walk you out.”

Talia grabbed Isabella’s hand as she went to follow Danny outside. “Don’t let memories cloud your judgement.”

“I won’t.”

Talia gave her a knowing look before letting go.