“It’s really unjust that they can accuse you, put you on leave, and not even tell you what the accusations are.”

It wasn’t surprising to her. “Welcome to life at the Agency.”

“This is serious.”

“I get that.”

“You seem almost resigned to the outcome.”

“Honestly, the IG investigation is probably the least of my worries. If the cartel is after me, that’s my biggest concern, because we all know how they operate. A bureaucratic investigation isn’t good for my career, but I have to be alive for that even to be an issue.”

“Or the IG investigation could be a ruse to get you out of the protection of the Agency. The cartel could be setting you up.”

That seemed less likely, but she wasn’t ruling anything out. “I know.”

His blue eyes narrowed. “If someone is specifically targeting you, whether it’s the cartel or not, once they realize you survived the bombing, they’re probably going to make another run at you.”

She lifted her chin. “Are you sure you want to work this DEA job, given all this other baggage that comes along with it?”

“Yes,” he said with zero hesitation. “I assume you have a firearm?”

“Several, actually.”

He moved closer to her. “Good. You should let me check out the security you have here.”

She didn’t know what she was more afraid of—the threat against her life or spending time with Hunter. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Why the hesitation?” he asked.

“I’m not hesitating.”

“C’mon, Layla. I know you better than that.”

But did he really know the woman she’d become over the past five years? She was still trying to put her feelings into words when he spoke again.

“If this is about the trust factor, I get it. I really do. You didn’t ask to see me, much less work with me in any capacity, and yet here I am.” He sighed.

She weighed her options. He said he had security expertise, so while he was at her place, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to accept the help. “You know what they say. Desperate times and all.”

He gave her a slight smile that showed the dimple in his left cheek. She couldn’t afford to let down any walls with this man. Not after what he’d done to her.

“I can tell that smart brain of yours is going into overdrive,” he said.

“I just hate being in the dark. There could be something I’m completely missing.”

“We’ll figure it out. Together.”

Together. That was exactly the problem.

On Monday evening, Layla sat in Viv’s living room with Bailey. She hated excluding Izzy, but it was for her own good. She refused to put someone else in danger.

“Thanks for gathering, and to Viv for feeding us.” Layla smiled warmly at her friend.