“So you got a lawyer?” Layla asked.
“Yes.” Izzy looked at Viv. “Thanks to Viv.”
Viv tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “She’s an old friend who practices criminal defense. Her name is Piper. She’ll go with Izzy to her interview with Arlington PD in the morning.”
Suddenly Layla wasn’t so sure that her problems were as bad as she’d thought. “I’m so sorry, Izzy. Is there anything else we can do?”
Izzy shook her head. “I’m just ready for this nightmare to be over once and for all, but it appears we may still be a ways from that.”
“What is Aiden saying?”
Izzy gripped her coffee cup. “He’s worried about me.”
Layla had to ask. “Did he know about what happened to you?”
Izzy looked away. “Yes, but he’s one of the few people who did. That’s all about to change in this interview, and I’m really dreading it.”
“It’s like you’re having to relive the trauma all over again. It’s so unfair,” Layla said. She turned to Viv. “Isn’t there something Piper can do?”
Viv picked up her mug. “She’ll try to cut it off if they start to badger her too much, but she can’t stop it entirely.”
“You’re stronger than you think, Izzy.” Layla wanted to encourage her. “You’re a fighter, and as long as you tell the truth, then you should be fine.”
Izzy raised an eyebrow. “That’s sweet of you to say, but I don’t believe you really think that.”
Viv shifted in her seat. “Let’s try to stay positive here, ladies. Izzy’s got top-notch counsel, and more importantly, she has the truth on her side. We will be here for you each step of the way.”
Izzy smiled at Viv. “You’ve done so much already.”
“You’d do the same for us.”
Izzy lifted her hand. “Enough about me. Layla, how are things going with you?”
Layla had embraced the few moments of respite from having to face her situation. But since Izzy was there, she could only say so much. “Things are about the same.”
“And Hunter?” Viv asked.
Layla knew Viv was asking about Hunter not just because it was a favorite topic of hers, but to divert the conversation. “It’s been hard working with him.”
Izzy leaned forward. “I still don’t get why he cheated on you in the first place.”
“Believe me, I’ve asked myself that question a million times.” Layla took a sip of water. “The answers he gave were never satisfying, but sometimes people just make mistakes. I know I’ve made my share.”
“There’s mistakes, and then there’s mistakes,” Izzy responded. “If I were you, I’d confront him about it. I realize I’m coming into this really late in the game, but an outsider’s perspective is sometimes useful. I don’t think you’ve really moved on. You need more closure. Once you have that, maybe you’ll be able to take the next step in your life free from that lingering burden.”
Maybe Izzy was right, but that would mean fully opening up an old wound as opposed to the current situation of just picking at it. “I’m not sure how I’ll end up handling it.”
“Hunter’s still single, isn’t he?” Viv asked.
“Yeah. It appears that way.” Layla paused. “Hey now, don’t go getting any crazy ideas. I don’t know how I’d ever get past the betrayal. Even if I could be on better terms with him for my own sanity, starting a relationship is a completely different question.”
“People can change,” Viv said.
“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
