Page 27 of The Eagle's Vault

“I’ve seen her in action, Isaac,” I said, trying to offer some reassurance. “She’s more capable than you give her credit for.”

Isaac put up his hands. “I know she is, but you need to understand, she has a medical condition. It’s not about capability, it’s about keeping her safe.”

“She held her own when we went into Cassaforte on Monday.” I’d been impressed with her during our initial recon, quickly transitioning from nervous participant to vibrant team member. “She asked all the right questions, distracted the guy who gave us the tour, all while taking in every tiny detail. There were no hints of any sort of medical condition that might hamper her performance. She’s got a knack for this. You should be proud.”

I wanted her with me in the vault. Scarlett’s lecture didn’t matter. It wasn’t about attraction—at least not entirely. This was business.It’s definitely not attraction. She’s all wrong for me. My mother would hate her.

“The vault’s too cold,” Isaac continued, like a child making ridiculous arguments once he’d been shot down. “You all have gear for that, but Leigh doesn’t have a suit.”

Scarlett, quick as always, countered, “We had mine shipped out. It’ll fit her perfectly.”

“But I signed a contract with Reynolds.” Isaac’s words took on an edge of desperation. What was it? Was he genuinely that concerned about her, or was it sibling rivalry? Simple jealousy? “The contract states that you’d provide penetration test training to me.”

Scarlett raised her hand to stop him, calm but leaving no opening for debate. “The contract was for a Barton representative—”

“That’s enough.” I swept my hand between them, before Isaac thought to argue further with her and incur Rav’s wrath.

Scarlett glanced at me, her eyebrow twitching but staying down. She wasn’t used to being cut off.

“The only way Barton is learning anything from this is if we’re successful. Isaac, you’ve been swamped with meetings, which hasn’t left you enough practice time.” I paused, letting the truth of my words sink in. That wasn’t a point he could argue with. “You’re stressed, man. We have a better shot if Leigh comes in with me.”

Isaac looked like he’d swallowed a lemon, but he was listening. That was a start.

“And here’s lesson number one in Barton’s penetration test training.” I locked eyes with Isaac. “You go in with your best chance of success. You don’t take unnecessary risks, even if it’s just a test. Even if there’s little risk to the team.”

There was a pause, then Isaac gave a curt nod. The fight had left him, his shoulders sagging slightly. It wasn’t a wholehearted blessing, but it was enough.

“Fine,” he grumbled. “She can go in.”

A wave of relief washed over me, tinged with something else—a hint of apprehension. What exactly was this medical condition? Was she liable to pass out? Have a seizure? Either way, I’d put my foot down and Leigh was in whether or not she wanted to be.

Jayce was showing Leigh one of the magnetic cases for the phones. A pang of concern hit me. She better not be sharing too much. Will was there too, a digital face on the screen next to them. I could only catch bits of their conversation, but it seemed Leigh was questioning Will, absorbing all his answers.

“Leigh,” Isaac called.

She glanced up, and when he waved her over, she joined us. “What’s up?”

“We’ve decided you’re going in my place tomorrow.”

We, Isaac?

Leigh’s eyes just about popped out of her skull. “That’s your job. I couldn’t possibly…”

“That’s what I told them.” Isaac folded his arms, looking back at me like he thought this was his winning hand.

Scarlett had called it. Leigh was more concerned about Isaac’s feelings than her own. Leigh would throw this opportunity away to make sure her big brother didn’t have a little tantrum.

It was all too familiar, making decisions based on other people’s impressions. It was a shitty way to live.

Maybe Scarlett was also right about Leigh screwing with my focus. But I couldn’t stand watching her wilt under her brother’s need to feel important.

“How many pins are in the chain lock?” I asked, raising a hand to silence Leigh before she could answer. “Isaac?”

He turned to look at the vices set up with the practice locks, including the chain lock from Antwerp. “Six?”

I raised my eyebrows at Leigh, at once prompting her for a response and hopefully pointing out silently that she was the right choice. Not only was I confident she’d know the answer, but she also wouldn’t phrase it as a question.

“Five.” Leigh sucked in her bottom lip, eyes almost darting to Isaac, but remaining mostly locked with mine.

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