“But loyalty is everything,” Izzy added.

“Isn’t love everything?” Viv asked.

Layla laughed. “Well, aren’t you the romantic?”

Viv sighed. “Maybe I’m projecting. My love life is nonexistent.”

Izzy smiled. “I can see if Aiden has anyone he could set you up with.”

Viv threw her head back. “Please don’t make me sound desperate. Even if I am.”

That comment got a much-needed laugh from all of them, which Layla knew was Viv’s intention. Viv wasn’t desperate, she was just picky—and Layla appreciated that. It wasn’t that easy to find a guy who could appreciate all they did in their careers and still be a loving and faithful man.

Her phone rang, and she saw it was Hunter. “My chariot has arrived.” She turned to Izzy and grabbed her hand. “You’ll be fine tomorrow.” She saw the worry in Izzy’s blue eyes, and it broke her heart. “Come here.” Layla gave Izzy a bear hug and prayed that this investigation wouldn’t victimize her young friend a second time.

Zane walked Cass up to her house. They’d gone back and forth about a DEA safe house, but for tonight, Cass had stood her ground and wanted to go home. That meant Zane needed to check it out and satisfy himself that it was secure. There was no way he’d be able to sleep tonight without making sure his partner was safe.

“I’ll be fine, Zane. I appreciate your concern, but it appears Layla is target number one.”

He grabbed her arm before she opened the door. “Wasn’t Diaz target number one?”

She frowned. “Yes, and I didn’t mean to diminish his murder. My only point is that they don’t seem intent on killing me and you. At least not yet.”

“Let’s keep it that way, okay?” The words came out harsher than he’d intended, but she didn’t say anything else as she unlocked the front door.

Cass walked over to the alarm keypad. “That’s strange. The alarm isn’t on.”

“Are you sure you set it?” he asked.

“I thought so, but maybe with everything on my mind, I forgot.”

He pulled her back toward him. “We can’t take any chances. We’ll clear the house room by room.”

“Split up?” She pulled her gun.

“No. Stay together.”

Her eyes locked on to his. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

His heartbeat sped up as his senses screamed to him that there was something wrong. “Does anything look out of place?”

She shook her head. “Not yet.”

They moved into the living room and then into the kitchen and office.

“Clear,” she said.

“Up the stairs. You have multiple bedrooms up here, right?”

“Yeah. Mine is the one on the left.”