There was no doubt a shift had occurred between them once he’d told her the truth, but he still didn’t know if the damage was irreparable. He hoped it wasn’t. He even found himself praying it wasn’t, but he wasn’t sure that God was paying attention to his prayer attempts. Although he knew deep inside that he hadn’t made a true effort at reconnecting and most of his reaction was based purely on fear for Layla. If going back to God meant He would keep Layla safe, then Hunter would consider it.

He’d opened up to Layla about his faith struggles, and true to form, she had pressed him to examine why he felt this way. He wasn’t an examine-his-feelings type of guy. He was more of the lock-it-away-and-try-not-to-think-about-it type.

And that was exactly what he did as he was led back to Bryce’s office.

Bryce stood. “I figured I’d hear from you again.”

“Do you know why I’m here?”

“I assume it’s still about the IG investigation into Layla.”

Hunter’s instinct to come at Bryce a second time had been right. “So you do have more information.”

Bryce motioned for him to sit before he did the same. “I hate to say this, but there are some nasty rumors that Layla is playing both sides of the fence.”

“Rumors from who?”

Bryce’s jaw twitched. “They’re coming from Agency sources, but I’m not going to name names. You should know this is very serious, though.”

“Do you have any further insight into what, specifically, they are claiming she did?”

Bryce ran his hand through his hair. “Not many specifics, but it had to do with her work regarding Al-Nidal.”

This whole thing stank more and more by the minute. “Do you believe any of it?”

Bryce laughed. “C’mon. Layla is great at many things, including being one of the best subject-matter experts that Langley has. She’s able to see the big picture and understand all the details. She speaks the language, she understands the culture. But a super spy? No way. She’s too honest. She doesn’t have the edge to work assets in the field—at least not yet. And to tell you the truth, I don’t think she wants to have those skills. She wouldn’t hurt a fly. Her heart is too big for subterfuge.”

“Then why the push for her to be in the field?” That was a nagging question Hunter couldn’t answer.

“Because the higher-ups believe they can take raw talent in any form and mold it into what they want, even with reluctant recruits. The problem is that Layla doesn’t want that kind of life and is set in her ways, and that’s where the tension lies.”