“You have until six o’clock tomorrow morning to sign the transfer.”

“If you do not, the sheriff’s department will arrive with an extraction team to remove the girls.”

“They will be placed in a state-monitored facility until the custody hearing in three weeks.”

“You know what that will do to them, Benjamin,” Vance added, his voice dropping to a whisper.

He looked past us again, his eyes locking onto Emma.

“Especially the little one. Sophie, is it?”

“The one who hasn’t spoken a word since her mother died.”

“A state shelter isn’t a gentle place for a mute child.”

Marcus took a step forward, his jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek.

“Give me the word, Boss,” Marcus muttered.

“No,” Benjamin said, his voice cracking. “No violence.”

Vance smiled again, knowing he had won the first round.

“The clock is ticking, Mr. Caldwell,” Vance said.

He turned on his heel and walked back down the steps toward his SUV.

The two men in suits followed him, their boots crunching on the frozen gravel.

They got into the vehicle, backed down the driveway, and disappeared into the falling snow.