“To get my attention, he found me and must have watched for an opportunity. He’s a brilliant hacker, and still, even he didn’t want to leave a digital trail. He used the character from a game we loved to play together to deliver the news—knowing that would get my attention. It means someone is coming for Dad’s company. They’re going to hack into it and exploit data, and deadly attacks means just what it means.”

She closed her eyes and thought of the game. The violence. Taking the stronghold indicated that no quarter was given, meaning when prisoners were taken, the victor showed no mercy and refused to spare lives. People were killed. She wouldn’t necessarily think that translated to this situation, except . . . well . . .

She opened her eyes to use her own intimidating look on Nora. “I believe someone tried to kill Julian. Now Rowan is dead. Someone followed me on the trail today and shot at me.” Or Alex.

Nora gasped. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m telling you now. This is serious. And now it’s your turn. Why are you scared? Why did you say it’s not safe here?”

Because it wasn’t. Nora knew that . . . how? What had happened?

What’s going on at Hanstech? She preferred that Nora offer up the information. Mackenzie’s heart pounded against her rib cage. Could the reason Nora was scared be related to the warning? And Rowan’s death? The shooting?

“And you told the police,” Nora said matter-of-factly.

“Of course. Yes. Except I haven’t told anyone about what Julian shared.” Sharing that would increase the amount of time she had to spend explaining herself to them.

“Because they won’t believe you.”

Nora said the words as if she understood firsthand.

That was part of it. “I need to find evidence first.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to trust me, Nora. Trust me enough to bring me into the company to look in your system. Trust me enough to tell me what’s going on.”

Nora stared at the brook, the sounds of the flowing water the only noise. Why was she hesitating?

Mackenzie had hoped for a new kind of relationship with her sister. She would be the one to reach out. After all, she’d been the one to hurt them all—something she’d yet to forgive herself for. And yet she was asking that of others. And now, all that was left was her sister. Mackenzie wouldn’t let anything stand between them now. Time was short. Life was fragile.

“Look, I was a kid back then. I made a mistake. You can’t really hold that over me forever. Not like Rowan . . .”

She wished she hadn’t brought up his name.

But she needed her sister to listen. Mackenzie needed—and wanted—Nora to work with her on this.