Page 73 of Missile Strike

The need for Danny was so strong she almost said yes.

How had she come to rely on him so quickly?

All she wanted to do was shrink into someone too small to be seen. To let fear make her choices for her.

She refused to live like this.

Not again.

“I texted him a few minutes ago,” she said instead. “He should be here soon.”

“Come sit down. Eat your ice cream before it melts,” Talia said before thanking the guard. “I’ll stay with her until Danny arrives.”

The man nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out. If that guy comes back, I’ll handle it.” He returned to his post.

Isabella scooped a spoonful of the ice cream into her mouth.

Normally, the rich, chocolatey creaminess and chunks of peanut butter cup would make her taste buds tingle, but today the decadent dessert tasted stale.

“I think he was Miran Hassan’s son.”

Talia stilled, her spoon frozen halfway to her mouth. Something hard glinted in her eyes. “Did he threaten you?”

“No, he said I was in danger and trusted the wrong person.” Isabella’s throat tightened. “But then he threatened my family.”

Talia’s jaw set. “Maybe you do need a bodyguard after all.” She stood. “Come on. We’re waiting for Danny at the security desk.”

“Why?” Isabella reluctantly got to her feet. “The guard can see us from here.”

“Izzy, you can’t underestimate someone who’s been living with that kind of built-up resentment for so many years.” Talia’s expression sharpened in a way Isabella had never seen before.

“Call Danny.”

Danny stepped out of The Charlotte Times building, the late-summer heat hitting him like a wall. His phone beeped.

An incoming call from a Providence Bank number.

“Mr. Mayhew, it’s Lamar Coleman, Providence Bank security. You asked me to keep an eye on Ms. Strickland.”

“What happened?” Danny picked up his pace.

The lunch crowd flowed around him, business suits and tourists blurring together as he headed toward Providence Bank. His Mustang sat parked in the bank’s garage, seven blocks away.

“A man approached her in the lobby. He left pretty quickly after I confronted him.”

“Did he threaten her?” Danny broke into a jog, cutting across the first intersection against the light.

“I’m not sure. She looked pretty shaken, and so did her friend.” Lamar hesitated. “I asked if she wanted me to call you, and she said you were on your way, but I thought I should anyway.”

“Thanks. Is there security footage?”

“There are cameras all over the lobby, but you’re going to have to put in a formal request.”

“Tell whoever’s in charge to expect it.” Danny hung up and called Nathan.

“Yo, amigo.”

“I need you to request security footage from Providence Bank’s corporate lobby, time-stamped three hours ago to now.”