Izzy watched them roll Layla toward the ambulance. Still unconscious. She pulled out her phone and sent a 911 text to Bailey and gave the hospital info. Lord, please let her be okay.

Layla awoke feeling like her head was being squeezed in a vise. Her mouth was so dry, and she had no idea where she was. She took a breath, but it hurt to breathe deeply.

“You’re awake,” a soft voice said.

Layla’s vision blurred but then came into focus. Izzy stood by her bedside. Where was she? She couldn’t put her thoughts together clearly.

“What happened?” she croaked.

Izzy took her hand. “There was an explosion at the restaurant. You were knocked unconscious.”

Layla gasped, sending shooting pain through her ribs as the memories roared back like a freight train. “Viv?”

“She’s okay. They’re treating her for shock, but she’ll be fine. Bailey is with her now.”

Layla closed her eyes for a moment but already had so many questions. “What are they saying was the source of the explosion?”

“They checked for a gas leak, but the bomb squad found an actual explosive device. What they’ll try to figure out next is motive. They’re running background checks on the owners and all employees.”

A much more sinister explanation came to Layla’s mind, but Izzy didn’t know she was CIA. And she couldn’t tell her. So she kept her mouth shut.

Bailey Ryan burst into the room. “You’re awake!”

Seeing one of her best friends was almost too much for Layla as the tears started to well up.

“I’m going to check on Viv and let the two of you talk.” Izzy excused herself, leaving Layla alone with Bailey.

“I’m so glad to see you,” Layla said.

“I feel the same way.”

“How is Viv?”

“Doing better. They’re going to do some tests just to make sure she doesn’t have any internal bleeding.”

Layla’s heart dropped. “Oh no.”

“It’s just precautionary. The doctor doesn’t think so. They already did X-rays on you while you were out. They think you suffered a concussion. No fractures, but bruised ribs.”

“It feels like it.” Layla paused. “Before Izzy gets back, I want to tell you something.”

“What is it?” Bailey glanced toward the door.

“I think I could’ve been the target.”

Bailey’s green eyes widened. “Work related?”

“Yeah. I’ve felt like someone has been watching me the past couple of weeks.”

Bailey pulled up a chair and sat down. “So you think you’re being tailed, and then this explosion. Sounds like bad news to me.”