“Tell me about it. I knew Hunter would succeed in whatever he did, but I had no idea that he would be doing such high-stakes work. Anyway, one of the DEA bosses approved reading him into our situation and hiring him to work on the investigation. He has top clearances and the whole nine yards. I’m stuck working with him right now, and I’m trying to just push through, but if I’m being completely honest, I don’t think I’ve even begun to process my emotions.”

Viv moved closer and touched Layla’s shoulder. “It’s totally natural for you to have issues with this.”

Bailey sat back down. “Did Hunter make an epic mistake? Absolutely yes. But this isn’t about love. It’s about your life. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think Hunter would lay it all on the line for you.”

“But how do I handle this? Having to be so close to him? Having to work with him? I can’t trust him.” Layla’s voice started to shake as she struggled to retain the control she’d barely been holding on to the past few days.

“Bailey may disagree with me,” Viv said, “but I think you have to try to compartmentalize as best you can. Think of this as an op you’re working. You have far too much emotional baggage to deal with it on the fly.”

Bailey looked at her. “I agree. You can’t be expected to take on everything at once. Your safety and figuring out who is after you are top priority.”

Layla knew her friends were right. “Easier said than done. When I look at him, everything just floods back.”

“Including how much you loved him?” Viv asked.

Layla nodded. “Of course.”

“You don’t want to hear this, but people make mistakes, and they change and grow. That was almost six years ago.” Bailey stood again. “He might not be the same man today.”

That scared Layla even more, but she wasn’t going to verbalize that to her friends. She’d never stopped loving Hunter. What a fool she was, and now she had to face him again.

“Where is he now?” Viv asked.

Layla looked at her watch. “Probably on his way to pick me up from here.”

“Really?” Bailey said.

“Yeah. Our team lead wants us to work together. He thinks that if the Mejía cartel has put out a hit, then we all have to be on high alert.” She opened her jacket, showing her friends that she was carrying.

“I don’t like this,” Viv said. “You need greater protection.”

“My boss isn’t budging.”

Bailey twisted back her hair. “I’m going to make some discreet inquiries with my FBI contacts and see if they’ve heard any further details about any cartel retaliation.”