The wind shrieked through the open door, proving his point about the cold.

I could feel the temperature in the foyer dropping rapidly.

“The heating system is fine,” I said. “We turned down the unused wings to save power during the storm.”

“Save your explanations for the social workers tomorrow,” Julian said.

He nodded to the two guards behind him.

“Go upstairs,” Julian ordered. “Secure the children.”

“Touch my daughters and I will kill you,” Nathan said.

He stepped in front of the bottom step of the grand staircase.

His chest rose and fell in rapid, shallow breaths.

The lead guard stepped into Nathan’s space, his massive frame towering over him.

“Mr. Caldwell, do not make this a criminal matter,” the guard said.

“We have the legal right to use reasonable force to execute this order.”

“If you obstruct us, we will restrain you.”

Julian pulled a set of silver zip-ties from his coat pocket and tossed them onto the console table.

“He’s unstable, Harris,” Julian told the guard. “You can see it in his eyes.”

“If he moves, pin him down.”