“Once Roberto was killed, Diego was beyond furious. He came to me for names. I gave them Diaz, Cass, you, and Zane but explained that I needed to keep Zane in play. Diego seemed to be okay with that, at least for the short term, although his ultimate goal was to take him out too. He wasn’t messing around. His little brother had been killed, and he wanted revenge at any cost. I tried to help you as much as I could. Like I said, I saved you in the bombing. But at the end of the day, it was either you or me. I never wanted it to end up like this.” She took a step. “But you’re not going to kill me. You’re going to let me go. I have passports. I can run. I can hide and get out of the country to safety.”

“You know me well enough to realize I’d never let you go.”

“It’s because I know you so well that I think you will. I did my best to protect you each step of the way. Please return the favor. Once the cartel realizes I’m blown, they’ll put a bullet through my head. All I’m asking for is a fighting chance to live. My life as I know it is over forever. Please show me mercy. Please.”

Layla was torn. Was she just being played again? Did Scarlett actually care about her?

“Layla, you know I don’t have any family. Everything I told you about my past is true. You’re like my little sister.”

“But when push came to shove, you still chose yourself over me. Just like Bryce. Two people I thought I could count on have sold me out and left a trail of destruction in their wake.”

“But will my death do anything to solve all of that? It won’t bring anyone back.” Scarlett’s bottom lip started to quiver. “We don’t have time to debate this, Layla. Diego’s men are probably on their way here right now. They’ve had a team stationed down the street since the Honduras op because Diego wanted to make sure I played by the rules. My house is under twenty-four-seven video surveillance.”

“And you’re just telling me this now?” Layla tried to think of the best way out of this. She didn’t know what to do. Was Scarlett bluffing? Was the cartel really on their way to finish the job? She knew she wouldn’t kill Scarlett, but would she detain her? That was the right thing to do, even though Layla was tempted to let her go. In the end, she had to go with her gut and follow the path that was right. They’d leave, but she wouldn’t let Scarlett go. Her friend had made bad choices, and she had to be held accountable. “Scarlett, I’m so sorry.”