“What about him?” I asked, pointing to the intruder on the floor.

The man was watching the children, his eyes narrow.

“I’ll handle him,” Ryker said.

I walked over to the twins and smiled, trying to look as calm as possible.

“Hey, guys,” I said. “Let’s go play a game downstairs. It has a big TV and lots of blankets.”

Lily looked at me, then at Ryker. “Is Uncle Ryker coming?”

“In just a minute,” Ryker said, giving her a reassuring nod. “Go with Tessa.”

I took Lily’s small, warm hand in mine.

She gripped it tightly, her fingers trembling.

Owen grabbed my other hand.

I led them out of the study and down the long, carpeted hallway of the estate.

The house was dark, the only light coming from the occasional security light shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The rain was battering the glass, sounding like gravel thrown against the house.

We descended the spiral staircase to the basement level.

The secure room was hidden behind a false wall in the wine cellar.