“Don’t I?” His voice cracked.

“No. I told you before. I know the truth. The past is the past. And I love you with all of my heart.”

“Losing you again isn’t something I can even begin to comprehend.”

“Then let’s not even think about that. Let’s focus on moving forward with our lives together.”

“Layla, if Bryce is behind this, you’re going to have to keep me away from him.”

“I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. If the Agency thinks he faked those photos, then there will be consequences.” She placed her head on his chest and took a moment to calm herself.

He pulled back for a second and placed his hands on her face. “I love you, Layla. I don’t know what else to say.”

“That’s all you need to say.” Her heart felt like it might explode, because she knew he was all in, and in fact, he always had been.

CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX

Zane entered a holding room at the DEA headquarters to meet with Cass, who sat at a small table, waiting for him. He got the sense that she’d been put through the wringer. Deep, dark circles hung under her pretty brown eyes. And yes, they were pretty. He was having a hard time getting back to where they’d been—the friend zone.

This bombshell she’d dropped on him had somehow brought them even closer. She’d hidden stuff from him, yes, but he got it. He had an awful relationship with his family. The fact that she was willing to lay everything on the line for her brother showed what kind of woman she was. He only wished she had come to him. He had more money than he knew what to do with and could have easily helped her. Although it occurred to him that he’d never told her about his money. They both had their family secrets.

All this Boy-Scout stuff had messed with his head. Did Cass really see him like that? He didn’t see himself like that, but he wondered if somewhere along the way he’d given her the wrong impression. Yeah, he had a problem with perfectionism, but he was far from perfect. And he was beating himself up, because maybe that had caused her to do something that threatened not only her career but her freedom.

“Cass.”

“I wouldn’t have held it against you if you hadn’t come. You still have your reputation to protect. You don’t want to be known as the man who partnered with a thief.”

He took her hand. “Don’t talk like that. What are they saying?”

She looked at him. “My lawyer is working with them, trying to cut a deal.”

That gave him a little hope. “What kind of deal?”