Page 9 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

THREE

With a white-knuckled grip on the wheel, Mackenzie dragged in a ragged breath and steered up the long drive toward the log cabin constructed in the side of a mountain. It blended in with the surrounding natural backwoods setting. Dad’s idea. Her older brother, Rowan, had taken up residence in the house and become CEO of Hanstech after Dad’s death—had it really been twelve years ago?

Palms sweating, Mackenzie parked near a copse of trees about fifteen yards from the front entrance, giving herself a chance to work up her courage and rehearse her words.

After the carnival—the night Julian delivered the cryptic warning—she packed a small duffel and hopped in her Jeep, drove north until she crossed the Mackinac Bridge to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, then traveled through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and finally, Montana. She’d had plenty of time to consider that cryptic message and what it could mean and prepare to take action.

But not nearly enough time to work up the courage to face Rowan, who’d repeatedly warned her away, striking fear in her when she was young and vulnerable.

Now that she was thirty-two, and in a career that she loved, Mackenzie thought she’d gotten over the hurt of his words and pushed past the fear and dread she always felt when she saw him, but they had risen again, battling for control, especially with Julian’s appearance.

She’d stopped by the Rocky Mountain Courage Memorial believing she could somehow soak up some of that courage, but instead she’d locked eyes with the guy she’d met at the DSS offices during her interview in DC. She hadn’t recognized him at first because he looked so different wearing close-fitting biking shorts instead of a suit. His thick brown hair hung a little longer, not so neatly trimmed as it had been. That day in DC, Alex had shown up in a suit and tie. Handsome. Professional. A killer smile and the spark of something dangerous in his gaze.

“They asked me to show you around town. Give you the grand tour.”

Then he flashed that dimpled grin of his. She wasn’t going to say no, because the tour was part of the next phase in the interview package. But even if it wasn’t, she would have said yes to this complete stranger. Their one day together seemed too short as he gave her the tour, and she didn’t want it to end.

It had ended alright.

Seeing him today only reminded her that the DSS had passed on her after their background check. Someone had taken a peek at those sealed records, no doubt.

Her mistake just wouldn’t let go. But she would face the fear head-on.

I can do this. God, help me do this.

A white pearl Lexus sped past and parked in the circle right in front of the main entrance.

Out stepped a tall, slender woman dressed in stylish professional attire but with an outdoorsy flair. Black sunglasses took up half her face, and the wind swept her long black hair behind her as she peered at Mackenzie’s Jeep, which was parked away from the house but still on the drive.

Nora.

Her sister glanced between the cabin and the Jeep, hesitating before starting up the steps.

This wasn’t going as planned. Mackenzie felt like an absolute fool. She shifted into gear and sped toward the front, parking behind the Lexus as her sister sprinted up the stone steps.

She hopped out. “Nora!”

Her sister was almost to the door when she whirled around.

“Mackenzie?” Nora rushed forward and met Mackenzie halfway, catching her up in a hug and stunning Mackenzie with a warmer-than-usual welcome.

It was the kind of welcome she’d always wanted. She wished it didn’t knock her off-kilter.

Nora held on longer than necessary and whispered in Mackenzie’s ear, “Go home as soon as you can. It’s not safe here.”

Not ...“Stay far, far away.”

Whatever. It seemed that her siblings would always have some kind of warning for her. Disappointment lodged in her gut, but what had she expected?

Nora pulled away and smiled, nothing of the warning in her expression—except her eyes. Something behind her eyes left Mackenzie disturbed.

“What a surprise.” Nora started up the steps to the porch. “Why didn’t you let us know you were coming?”

“I ... I tried to call Rowan, but he didn’t answer.” Which was probably a good thing. He wouldn’t listen to her or understand the warning she would share. Not over the phone. That’s why she knew she had to come in person.

“He’s been so busy lately. I’m sure he would have called you back soon.”

Liar.