Before she could say more, Nora continued. “In the meantime, remember that this afternoon is team building.”

No. Oh, please, no. She loathed those activities. “Is it really necessary? I don’t want to lose my focus.”

Nora nodded. “Remember your need to blend in and not stand out? Besides, if I’m not here, you’re not here.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying you don’t trust me?”

“I trust you. But I don’t want any questions later, in case this all goes wrong and your past comes up.”

The vault of emotions—regret, anger, and hurt—burst open, and Mackenzie bolted from the chair. She stepped closer to Nora’s desk, unwilling to back down. Even if Nora stood right next to her looking over her shoulder at the computer screen, she wouldn’t know what Mackenzie was up to, so her request was absurd. But Mackenzie wasn’t about to bring that up. “You do know that I was a kid. Those records are sealed. The past shouldn’t come up. It’s those same skills that can help you. Help us. Tell me who you’re trying to protect.”

Nora’s shoulders sagged, and she averted her gaze to the panoramic window displaying a vast rich green forest and, beyond, snowcapped mountains. Her sister moved to the window and released a long breath.

“I’m sorry,” Nora said. “You can’t understand what it’s like to try to live up to Dad’s reputation, and now Rowan’s. The legacies they left behind. Both had powerful, dynamic, and explosive personalities.”

That’s not me . . . Mackenzie thought she heard what Nora wasn’t saying.

Compassion flooded her, and she stood next to her sister. “What are you talking about? You’re every bit the powerhouse as either of them. You can do this. That is, if you want to. But more than that . . . tell me what more is going on.”

Nora squeezed Mackenzie’s hand in warning. Mackenzie squeezed it right back, reassuring her sister.

I’m back, and this time I’ll take the chance to right the wrongs. Try to build a connection that was lost along the way with what family she had left. “Look, sis, when this is all over, I’d love to just hang out with you. We could get away for a day, a week. I don’t know. But I do know that I’m in this with you. Let me help. You can trust me.”

“Yeah?” Nora angled her head, a teasing grin on her lips.

“Sure, you can. I’m all grown up now. A professional. I teach ethical hacking at a university. I’m a trusted individual. In the summer, I do pen testing for charities.”

A smirk lifted Nora’s lips, and she stood taller. “Really?”

“As a way to make up for my mistakes.”