But during the three years they’d dated, she’d never once seen Hunter drunk. He was measured in almost all areas of his life. Yeah, he liked danger and adventure—like jumping out of a plane or racing fast cars—but when it came to his social life, his explanation of what had happened always left her feeling like she had never really known him the way he’d known her. And that was one of the things that broke her heart the most.
“Earth to Layla. Let’s do this thing.”
“Sorry.” She put those thoughts out of her mind and got ready to deal with the problem at hand. She thought she’d had a solid friendship with Bryce, but it couldn’t withstand her reporting him.
“I’m going to directly confront him,” Hunter said. “I’m not expecting him to confess if he is really involved in this, but I want you to be able to see his response. I want your read on him.”
“I got it.”
They were met by a receptionist in the main floor lobby. “How can I help you?” she asked in a singsong voice.
“We’re here to see Bryce Wixom.”
“Do you have an appointment?” Her blue eyes locked on to Hunter.
“Just please tell him that Layla Karam is here to see him.”
She arched an eyebrow but didn’t respond as she picked up the phone and made the call. After a few yeses, she hung up. “You can go up to the tenth floor. Someone there will meet you.”
“Thank you.” Hunter smiled at the receptionist, and it probably made her day.
They walked toward the elevator.
“See, I told you,” Hunter murmured.
“Not so fast, big shot. We haven’t actually seen him yet.” Bryce wasn’t one to underestimate.
“Don’t be such a pessimist. We’ve got this.” Hunter pushed the button, and after a few moments, they walked into the lobby of the tenth floor, where they were greeted by another receptionist, this one much younger.
“You’re here to see Mr. Wixom. Please follow me.”
They trailed behind the petite brunette down a long hallway to an office on the right. She knocked, and Bryce stood up. His eyes lit up when he saw Layla, but then he frowned when he saw she wasn’t alone.
“Thanks, Nancy,” Bryce said. “Come on in. I’m afraid we haven’t met before.” He stretched out his hand.
“I’m Hunter McCoy.”
“Bryce Wixom. Please have a seat.”
They all sat down, and Layla prepared herself for the conversation.
Bryce adjusted his fancy cuff links. “What brings the two of you down here today?”
Before Layla could answer, Hunter spoke. “Do you know anything about the IG investigation launched against Layla?”
Bryce’s brown eyes widened. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He turned to Layla. “What is this about, Lay?”
She hated that nickname but didn’t correct him. “Please answer the question, Bryce. It’s important.” She wanted to look him in the eyes and evaluate his response. “I’m in trouble, Bryce. I was at Old Town Grille when the bomb went off.”
He frowned, and the mood in the room instantly shifted. “Oh no. I had no idea. I’m glad you’re all right.”
“Thank you.”
Bryce leaned back. “But now I’m even more confused, Lay. Help me out here.”
“Someone is giving Layla a really hard time,” Hunter explained. “They’re coming after her, including the opening of an IG investigation. We have no idea what it’s about or who is behind it. Layla is on administrative leave.”
“From State?” Bryce arched an eyebrow.
“He knows, Bryce.”
With that revelation, Bryce frowned even more deeply. “What’s going on here? Why would you have told this guy anything?”
“Hunter knew about my position at the CIA from the very beginning.”
Bryce’s eyes lit up. “Wait a minute. You’re the law school guy? The idiot.”
“Guilty,” Hunter responded. “So yes, I know what Layla does and what you did. We’re trying to figure out who wants to harm her, and we would like to strike you off that list.”
Bryce shifted his attention back to Layla. “Yeah, we parted on bad terms, but I promise I don’t have anything to do with any investigation. I didn’t agree with what you did to me, but I know how you operate, so I can’t say that I’m surprised. If you’re worried about someone gunning for you, it’s not me. Look around. I’ve made a great career for myself here with a lot higher pay.”
She studied him closely and wanted to believe him. It did look like he was doing incredibly well for himself.
Hunter cleared his throat. “Do you know of anyone who would want to frame Layla for some type of wrongdoing?”
Bryce looked at her. “You know how things are at the Agency. There’s so much backstabbing and maneuvering.”
“So you do know something,” Hunter suggested.
Bryce shook his head. “Actually, I don’t. I was just saying you need to watch your back. Be careful, because there are some real threats out there, and some of them are a lot closer than they may seem.” His attention was completely on her now. “Your insistence on playing by the book is antithetical to the way a lot of people operate, but if you’re asking me if I ever heard of anyone gunning for you, then the answer is no. Then again, given our friendship, I probably wouldn’t have been told. We were friends once, if you remember that.”
She probably deserved that jab and decided not to counter him. She wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth, but it seemed like he was. Although she had to remind herself that Bryce was a very gifted CIA officer. Lies rolled off his tongue with ease. It was more that she didn’t want to believe that he could be trying to hurt her.
“If that’s all, I’ve got other business to deal with.” Bryce stood.
They’d been dismissed.
Hunter rose also. “If you think of anything or hear anything, give me
