Yet, as I looked at the twins, I knew he would not change his mind.

Underneath his cold, calculating exterior, Ryker had a heart.

He had seen what abandonment did to a child, and he would not let it happen to them.

Hours passed in tense silence.

Marco kept watch by the window, his shadow long and still against the wall.

Ryker worked tirelessly on his laptop, his fingers tapping softly in the dark.

I must have drifted off to sleep, my head resting against the sofa.

A sharp, sudden sound woke me.

It was not the wind.

It was a heavy thud from the back porch.

I sat up straight, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The living room was pitch black except for the blue glow of Ryker’s laptop.

Ryker was already on his feet.

Marco was moving silently toward the back door, his hand reaching inside his jacket.

The floorboards creaked in the kitchen.

Someone was inside.

Clara stirred beside me, letting out a soft gasp.

I quickly put my hand over her mouth.

“Shh,” I whispered in her ear.