She found her cell and drew in slow, even breaths to ward off the car sickness, then realized she had a text from William.

The news reported the hit-and-run victim has died. I’m sorry. I hope you’re doing well. Call me when you can if you want to talk.

A sob rose in her throat.

“Mackenzie, what’s wrong?”

Nora swerved a little too close to the edge.

“Nothing. Watch the road.”

“You can’t tell me it was nothing. You got a text. What did it say?”

She’d asked William to find out if the man who was struck by the car was doing well—which might have been impossible, given HIPAA—but now apparently the news had reported his death. She hadn’t given Julian’s name to William. He probably hadn’t been using that name anymore, nor would he have wanted Mackenzie to let on to William, or anyone else, that she knew him.

Except—He was dead. She couldn’t believe it.

Oh, God . . . I’m going to be sick.

“Please tell me.”

“A friend in Michigan died.”

“Oh, Mackenzie. I’m so sorry.”

It didn’t seem fair. He’d risked so much. He’d been there for her.

Why, God?

Bringing up the fact that the friend was Julian might take their easy conversation in the wrong direction. And she needed this . . . this connection with Nora. She missed her family, and now her sister was the only family she had left.

“And this happened on the heels of Rowan’s death.” Nora actually slowed and glanced her way. “Are you okay? Should we go back?”

She had to push past the grief of Julian’s death for the moment. He’d risked so much for her. “I’ll be okay. Let’s keep going.” She couldn’t waste any more time.

“You never told me about the guy who dropped you off. Who is he?” Nora asked.

Was she ready to get into this? “His name is Alex Knight.” She held back a dreamy sigh. What was wrong with her? “Considering the danger factor, I hope you don’t mind that I secured a guy to protect us.”

“Well, I don’t need hired protection. No one shot at me in the woods. Even so, I have Carson. Is this Knight person with some sort of bodyguard service?”

“No, but he’s experienced in protection.”

“What do you know about him? Remember, Mackenzie, people can be part of the insider threat and vulnerability.”

“He’s not on the inside, Nora. And I know everything I need to know. I know you, Nora, and trust me, there’s no need to hire a PI to look into him. Besides, we don’t have time for that.”

She needed to discover who was trying to bring down the stronghold that was Hanstech—the corporation and the family—before it was too late.

Nora slowed the vehicle as she steered into the valley.