“This is good. If she can find you a separate safe house not linked to the Agency, I’m all for it.”

“I still can’t believe the safe house got compromised. If not a CIA leak, then how?”

“Maybe they were able to track the Agency security detail somehow.”

“I guess it’s not crazy to think that the cartel could have someone on the Agency payroll.” She blew out a breath.

He was more concerned about the fact that the cartel was implementing desperate measures by outsourcing their business to the Russians. Were they really that bent on revenge at all costs? It appeared that way.

“You’re too quiet,” Layla said.

“I’m sorry. I just hate you being in harm’s way and me feeling so completely helpless to stop it.”

“Hunter, what are you talking about? You did stop it. I’m probably only alive right now because of you taking out that other attacker, and I thank God He brought you back into my life.”

There it was. Once again she believed God was at work here. The question was whether he did. His reconnection with Layla had caused a stirring inside of him about his faith. He was still trying to work through his issues, but there had been a change—even if he had been initially resistant to it. “I think you may be right.”

She smiled at him. “Worldly explanations only get you so far sometimes.”

“True, but it’s easy to focus on being rational and only seeing what’s in front of you.” He wondered how far he should open up. Considering the circumstances of the night, he decided to go for it. “Experiencing you in my life again has changed me, Layla. All for the good. It was like I was caught in this dark hole, just going about my life thinking that God had completely forgotten about me. But then everything started to have color and light again with you there. I don’t know how to verbalize it any better than that, but your faith has helped give me strength through this.”

“It isn’t a one-way street, Hunter. I’ve been through dark days too. I’ve done things I wish I could change. But knowing that we’ve been given another chance—a fresh start—is just a glowing example of God’s love and His perfect timing.”

He hated that he was driving, because what he wanted to do more than anything was to pull her tightly into his arms and hold her. To tell her how much he still loved her and wanted to build a life together. But that would have to wait.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE

The next morning Izzy sat across from Detectives Stewart and Bryant again with Piper by her side.

“Agent Cole, we called you here because we have a concern,” Detective Stewart said.

“We’re listening,” Piper responded.