He had called her cell multiple times with no answer. It was so hard to be patient, but he knew that she would be safe as long as she was at the Agency.

He would just have to wait, and so he kept digging.

Layla was on autopilot. There was too much hurt and betrayal for her to deal with her roller coaster of emotions. Bryce had not only threatened her career, he had wanted to take her life.

When Scarlett walked into the Agency conference room, Layla gave her a big hug.

“Man, I’m glad to see you,” Layla said. “I’m sorry to have called you, but I needed to talk.”

“I got a partial download from Nick.” Scarlett squeezed her hand. “I am so sorry.”

“Thanks.” Layla held back the tears. “Can we get out of here?”

“Absolutely. Let’s go to my place. We can get your security detail to follow us.”

“Thank you.”

Layla’s hands were still shaking as they made the quick trip to Scarlett’s house in McLean. She saw she’d missed calls from Hunter, but she’d call him back after she got done with Scarlett. She sent him a quick text telling him where she was going and then put her phone in her purse.

“Here we are,” Scarlett said.

Layla had been to Scarlett’s ranch home many times. She loved the house and felt comfortable there. Layla needed a place where she could decompress for a few minutes and shed some tears in a no-judgment zone.

She thanked the two-man security detail standing guard on the premises. Knowing she had them and Scarlett, who was a highly trained operative, beside her, she felt safe—or as safe as she was going to feel.

They walked inside the house, and Layla let out a huge breath.

“Go put your feet up in the living room. I’ll bring in some tea,” Scarlett said.

“Thanks.” Her phone buzzed in her purse, and she pulled it out. Hunter was being persistent in his texting. As she started reading his words, her heart dropped.

Scarlett is the mole. Be careful. I’m on my way and have called in reinforcements. I’m so sorry.

She read the message again, but her brain didn’t compute. This couldn’t be right. Hunter had to be mistaken. Bryce was a traitor, but not Scarlett. Scarlett was her friend.

Scarlett walked in with the tea. “Layla, you’re pale.”

Layla put her phone back in her purse and looked up. “Yeah, I’m feeling a bit weak right now.”

Scarlett sat down next to her and handed her the tea.

Layla picked up the cup but stopped short of taking a sip. She looked into Scarlett’s eyes. “Do you have a weapon on you?”

“Not on me, but my gun is right over there on the table.” Scarlett inclined her head in that direction.