Page 81 of Missile Strike

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d dreaded the end of an assignment.

“Fine.” The word came out sharper than intended. He softened his tone. “You did good today.”

“Really?” Her smile flickered—tentative but real, and something in his chest shifted.

“Really. Did you enjoy it?”

After her initial hesitation, she’d handled herself like a pro, paying close attention to his instructions and firing round after round until they ran out of bullets.

Bella nodded. “I felt…empowered.”

Danny fixed his gaze on the highway as a slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

An empowered, confident Bella?

Sexy as hell.

Her teeth caught her bottom lip. “But I’m still not sure I could ever shoot someone.”

“Hopefully, you won’t ever have to.”

Because I’ll be standing between you and anyone who tries to hurt you.

At least while he was here.

He rubbed at the ache building beneath his sternum. “We’ll keep coming until you’re comfortable handling a firearm.” A glance her way. “And we’ll keep up the hand-to-hand training.”

Color crept into her cheeks. She averted her gaze.

The mats. Her beneath him. The heat between them.

Shit. At this rate, he wasn’t going to have any blood left in his brain to drive.

The mournful opening notes of Desperado filled Consuela’s interior.

Caleb.

Danny hit the button on his steering wheel. “Hey, man, I’m in the car, on speaker. Bella’s with me.”

Caleb’s voice came through the speakers. “Tavari and I just landed. When can we meet?”

Danny glanced at Bella. “My team is here. Is it okay if they come by your place?” No way in hell was he leaving her alone.

“Sure.” Curiosity sparked in her expression.

“We’re on our way to Bella’s,” he told Caleb. “Grab some chow, get settled, then come over.”

“Who was that?” Bella asked after he’d hung up. Her lips curved. “And why is his ringtone an old Eagles song?”

His mouth twitched. “I’m surprised you recognize it. Nathan and his classic rock. He assigns ringtones to everyone on the company phones. Desperado fits Caleb—or it did,” he amended. “He got married a couple of months ago. Not such a loner anymore.”

“I can’t wait to meet him.” She peered at Danny from beneath her lashes. “What’s yours?”

He sighed. “Crazy Train.”

“Ozzy Osbourne?”

“Yep.”