Page 48 of Missile Strike

Pulling into her garage, she shut off the motor. Danny was out of his car and at her door before she could move. He beckoned with his fingers. “Pull up your security cams.”

Stepping out of her car, she unlocked her phone and pulled up the app.

He stood over her shoulder while she swiped back through the day to check if any motion triggered the cams, though she only half-focused on the screen in front of her. The clean scent of sea breeze and driftwood seeped into her pores. His height and broad shoulders heightened her awareness of her own smaller stature.

The only events captured on her cameras were neighbors walking their dogs or pushing baby strollers along the sidewalk.

She let out a breath and dug in her purse for her house key.

Danny held out his palm. “Let me go in first.”

She dropped her key into his hand, too unsettled to argue.

Trip immediately accosted him at the door. “Hey, buddy, been keeping the house safe?” After a cursory pat of the dog’s head, he moved through the kitchen, then the living room and downstairs powder room before climbing the stairs to the second floor.

Isabella dropped her purse on the counter and prepared Trip’s dinner. She set his bowl down and let out a resigned sigh when the dog inhaled his kibble as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks.

Someone was trying to send her a message. Who? And why?

Talia. She needed someone to talk to besides Danny. Not her parents. Someone who’d give her an honest opinion on what to do.

Talia’s phone rang until it went to voicemail. Isabella left a message. “Hey, you’d be proud of me. I agreed to the interview with The Charlotte Times reporter. I think it went well, so that was good.” She hesitated. “But then something happened when I left work that freaked me out. Call me when you get the chance.”

Danny strolled into the kitchen.

Isabella squared her shoulders and faced him. What happened today would not make her afraid to be alone in her own home. She lived in a safe, suburban neighborhood, had a monitored security system with working cameras—thanks to Danny and Talia—and a dog who barked, even if he was more likely to lick an intruder to death than bite.

“Thank you for helping me. That was unnerving, but I’m fine now.” Calm and in control. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the hotel to go over the security plan.”

Danny watched her with those blue eyes and an arrogant tilt of his head. “Bella, after what happened today, I’m not going anywhere.”

Her eyelashes flickered. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I hope the sheets on your guest bed are clean because I’m moving in.”

Chapter Twelve

Bella’s eyes widened. Shock, then panic chased across her face.

Danny planted his feet, ready to shoot down any argument she threw his way.

Someone threatened her. Tried to make her afraid. And they’d succeeded.

Whoever they were, it was the closest they’d ever get to her again.

“That’s ridiculous,” she sputtered. “You can’t move in with me just because somebody left a flyer on my car.”

The distance between them disappeared in a few strides.

He caged Bella between his body and the kitchen counter. “Someone who knows where you work. The make, model, and license plate of your car. Who specifically targeted you to leave their message. Whether you like it or not, you’re—at the very least—leverage. Your father wants me to keep you safe.”

I want you safe.

Her chin tipped up, eyes narrowing. Defiance darkened the gold to amber. “I’m not going into hiding or letting you and my father put me on a shelf like some fragile porcelain doll. I won’t live like that—I’ve spent my whole life being afraid.”

“Yeah? Well now’s a helluva time to decide to stop.”

Color drained from her face.