We drove through, and the gates immediately clicked shut behind us, locking with a heavy metallic sound.

Marco parked the SUV directly in front of the main entrance of the brick manor.

“Inside, quickly,” Ryker said.

He scooped Owen up into his arms.

The boy was holding a worn, brown teddy bear tightly under his arm.

I grabbed Lily’s hand, her small fingers cold in mine, and we ran up the stone steps.

Marco opened the heavy oak door, ushering us into the warm foyer.

The smell of polished wood and old paper filled the air.

Marco shut the door behind us, turning the heavy brass deadbolts.

“Lock down the perimeter, Marco,” Ryker said, setting Owen down. “Nobody gets through those gates.”

“I’ll activate the security screens and alert the patrol team,” Marco said.

He hurried down the hall toward the security room.

I looked at the two children, who stood shivering in the grand foyer.

They looked so small beneath the high, vaulted ceiling.

“Come on,” I said gently. “Let’s get you warm in the study.”

I led them down the corridor to Ryker’s private office.