“What’s going on?” she asked.
Hunter turned to her. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.”
Her stomach dropped, worrying that he had bad news.
He took her hands. “There’s no need to frown. This isn’t anything bad. I promise.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Good. Because it’s been such a nice evening and a great way to decompress before going back to work.”
Hunter took a breath. “Layla, since you came back into my life, we’ve faced some pretty awful things.”
She was ready to move on to a new day. “But that’s all behind us.”
He nodded. “It is. And I’m so thankful that you’re safe. But everything we experienced together has changed me—all in a good way. Before we reconnected, I was in such a dark place. I was completely numb and distant from God. I was just going through the motions in life but not really living it. The time we’ve spent together these past few months has been life changing. I never thought years ago that I could love you any more than I did then, but I was wrong about that. I love you even more now.”
She looked into his blue eyes. “I love you, too, Hunter.”
He smiled. “I know. I’ve never felt more loved. And our time together has taught me something else.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“That life can literally change in a moment. I really do believe that God gave us a second chance. Not everyone gets another chance at love with the person who means the most to them in the world.”
She moved closer to him. “This time nothing is going to tear us apart. Not the Agency, not anything. You have my word on that.”
“Mine too, and I want to take it a step further.” He took a breath. “I know we’ve only been in this new relationship a few months, but we had three years to build on. Three great years, if you cut out that last part.”
“We agreed not to go back to that.” She had put all of that squarely behind them.
He nodded. “This is a long and not very eloquent way of saying that, Layla, I don’t want to waste another moment. We got derailed before, and I don’t want that to happen again.”
“Me neither.”
“I was hoping you would say that.” He dropped to one knee as he pulled a ring box out of his jacket pocket.
Her breath caught as she realized what he was about to do.
“We can have as long an engagement as you want, but I hope and pray that you’ll want to be my wife. Layla, I love you with all my heart and soul. You’re the light and goodness in my life. Your love has literally changed me, and your grace and forgiveness has shown me what real, true love is like. Layla, I love you. Will you marry me?”
She looked down at him holding the open ring box, displaying a princess-cut diamond ring. “What if I don’t want to have a long engagement?”
He grinned. “Is that a yes?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He slid the ring on her finger, and it fit perfectly. Just like the two of them.
She pulled him up from his knee and gave him a kiss. “I love you so much, Hunter.”
He kissed her again, and she heard the cheering.
She turned around and saw everyone peering out the living room window. “Did they all know?” she asked.
“Just Viv. I swore her to secrecy until we came out here. I told her to give us a few minutes before she told the others.”
As she looked at the man she loved, her heart was so full. “I have never felt such happiness as what I feel right now.”
He kissed her again. “And to think what we had to go through to get here.”
Layla couldn’t wait to see what their future held. She was convinced they could face anything together. And there was one more thing she was certain of.
“It was all worth it.”
Author’s Note
They say that some books write themselves, and for me, Backlash was one of those books. I loved being able to bring a piece of myself into Layla’s story. Layla and I have a lot of things in common. Like Layla, I am half-Lebanese from my father’s side. I also have a degree in Middle Eastern studies and went to law school. And, like Layla, once upon a time I was recruited by intelligence agencies.
But that’s where Layla and I diverge. I took a much different career path outside the government and became a lawyer in the corporate world. And while Layla was hesitant to become a CIA officer, she was still highly capable in the field—something I could have never been. It was super exciting to write a character that could do all the things I could never imagine doing. Sitting behind a desk is much more in my comfort zone than fending off attackers, taking shots from a speeding SUV, and dodging bullets!
This story is also special because I’ve always wanted to write a leading character who was Lebanese, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to do so. I’m also thankful for the chance to share my faith through stories. My father was called to become a preacher many decades ago. As I write these words, I am about to mark the seventh year of his passing from this earth and into heaven. Oh, how I would have loved to call him up and tell him about this story! I have no doubt that he would have been fully intrigued and supportive, because that’s the kind of father he always was. I know one day we will be reunited, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Thank you for taking this journey with me and allowing me to continue to share my faith and my stories with you—and a piece of my heart.
Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. She has practiced law for over a decade, including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. The ATLANTA JUSTICE series features strong female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the ATLANTA JUSTICE series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader’s Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier finalist, and a HOLT Medallion finalist. Lone Witness is the winner of a HOLT Medallion and the Maggie Award and is a Selah finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids—two dogs and three cats. She loves to connect with readers. You can find her at www.racheldylan.com.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Books by Rachel Dylan
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
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Epilogue
Author’s Note
About the Author
Back Ad
Back Cover
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