I looked at Marcus, who gave me a firm nod.

“I will protect them with my life, Maya,” Marcus said.

I took one of the pistols from the case, the metal cold and heavy in my hand.

I had never wanted this life for my children, but I knew I had to fight to keep them safe.

“How do we get into the estate?” I asked Isabella, checking the magazine of the gun just as she had taught me.

“The old service tunnels,” Isabella said, strapping a tactical harness over her shoulders. “They run from the water treatment plant directly under Salvatore’s study.”

“And Adrian’s team?”

“They are already in position,” Isabella said. “We meet them at the breach point.”

She turned to the door, her face set in stone.

Before we could step out, the console on the desk beeped once.

A text message appeared on the backup screen in bright green letters.

It was from an unknown number.

I leaned over to read it.

*Your children are very beautiful, Maya. It would be a shame if they slept forever.*