“A forged emergency custody order, signed by a judge who owes me a very large favor.”

“They are going to declare you mentally unstable and unfit.”

“And they are taking the girls tonight.”

The heavy rumble of the SUV engines vibrated through the floorboards of the mansion.

The headlights swept across the frosted glass of the front doors, painting long, terrifying shadows across the foyer.

I looked at Nathan, my heart pounding in my chest.

We were locked inside, but the men outside had heavy tools.

The children were asleep upstairs, completely unaware of the storm breaking outside their door.

The front gate buzzer began to chime, a loud, demanding sound that echoed through the dark house.

“They won’t get through the security glass,” Nathan said, his voice tight.

“They don’t need to,” Julian said, walking slowly toward the front doors.

“They have legal authority, and they have breaching equipment.”

“By tomorrow morning, the press will report that you locked your children in a dark, freezing house during a breakdown.”

“And Vanessa will have custody of the Caldwell estate.”