Epilogue

One year later.

S he couldn't believe this moment was finally happening or that she—Ayla—was finally able to face the world and not keep looking over her shoulder for danger.

Neesa had been true to her word. Ayla's name was cleared and her position within Mossad restored, though she'd officially retired from her post.

Daniel and his team, which consisted of Syrian agents, were now being held in prison here in the US. Neesa and her team worked alongside US intelligence to interrogate the group. After weeks of intense interrogation, the truth was revealed. An attack was to take place during the peace talks. The current Israeli prime minister would die, and their candidate would take Gideon's place as an independent candidate after his death. The attack would be blamed on a rogue Mossad agent—Ayla. Daniel planned to have the ring and the information he needed before Ayla was arrested.

For years, she'd thought the agents who ambushed her that night had been intent on killing her. Now, she realized it was all for show. If they'd wanted her dead, she would be. They needed the information hidden in her ring but wanted to make her believe the attempt was real. They'd planted the tracking device in her neck and in the Ruger while she was unconscious, hoping she would lead them to it only she hadn't. And every attempt to capture her to get the information through the years had failed.

"You look beautiful." Rachel finished the last touches to her makeup. "I'm so happy for you and Boone, and we're all thrilled to have you as the latest member of the Hope Island Securities team."

Over the past year, Ayla had reconnected with her family, whom she'd missed dearly. They were here helping her celebrate this blessed day. Her wedding day.

She'd done her best to keep some Jewish traditions in the wedding, but she'd given her life to God and wanted her newfound faith to be part of the wedding as well as her marriage.

Boone had been so patient. Learning to trust again was hard. She'd spent so long looking over her shoulder. Letting all that go hadn't been easy, but she was now in a good place.

Her father came into the room, tears in his eyes as he looked at her. "It's time, Ayla. Are you ready?"

She beamed up at him. "More than ready."

The women of Hope Island Securities along with her sister, Helena, were her bridesmaids.

Helena kissed her cheek. "We'll see you out there."

"Thank you." She rose and gave herself a final glance in the mirror. She'd lost that fearful look that had clung to her for so long. Learning that Daniel was the one to betray her would have destroyed her a few years back. Now, what she felt for him was anger and a little sadness. He'd thrown his life away for money.

For the first time in years, she wasn't afraid of the future. She'd signed a two-year lease with Myron for the cottage by the sea. She and Boone would live there starting today. Dottie, her sweet little constant companion this past year, waited for them to return.

She'd let go of all the aliases she'd used in the past. She was just Ayla again. Not Mossad agent Ayla or fugitive Ayla. Not Ellie. Just . . . Ayla.

Over the past year, she'd worked with the Hope Island Securities team and found her place. She and Boone had managed to find the missing child and bring her home to her mother. And in her spare time, Ayla helped Hank out at the Hopeful Coffeehouse. When she'd first come back, Hank had been grinning from ear to ear when she pointed to the menu that featured her caramel espresso, the Rocky Caramel. The drink and the story behind the creator had become a quick hit.

Ayla looped her arm through her father's. They stepped inside the church as the music began to play the wedding song. Boone stood tall and strong up front waiting for her. For their future. This was her life. He was her future. The past and its ugliness had no place here with her today.

She started down the aisle while all their friends and family rose and beamed their happiness. God had given her and Boone another chance at love, and she couldn't wait to see where the future would take them. Together.