A hidden door in the wood paneling clicked open.

Inside was a secondary monitoring station, three screens glowing with live feeds from the estate’s security cameras.

The rain was coming down hard outside, blurring the camera lenses.

The long driveway was empty.

The iron gates at the edge of the property were closed and locked.

But we both knew gates could be breached.

“Tessa,” Ryker said, not looking back. “Where are the custody papers?”

“In my briefcase,” I said, nodding toward the leather bag on the leather armchair. “The temporary guardianship petition is drafted. But we need Vivian’s signed affidavit to file it first thing in the morning.”

“Without it?” Ryker asked.

“Without it, we only have your DNA test,” I said. “And since your sister Mara’s death was never fully investigated, Celeste Reed still holds the legal status as their stepmother and guardian of record. She can demand the police return them to her.”

“Not while they are under my roof,” Ryker said.

“The law doesn’t care about your roof, Ryker,” I warned him. “If Gideon Voss uses Celeste to file a parental kidnapping charge against you, the police will have to act.”