I would protect them, no matter what it took, and no matter what we had to leave behind.

As I stood up, holding their hands, my cell phone began to vibrate violently in my pocket.

I pulled it out and looked at the screen.

It was an unknown number, but the area code was the same as the corporate headquarters downtown.

I slid the button to answer and put the phone to my ear.

“Daniel Whitmore,” I said.

“Daniel,” a sharp, unfamiliar voice said on the other end.

“This is Marcus Vance, chairman of the board.”

“We need to talk about your recent inquiries regarding the family trust.”

“I am listening, Marcus,” I said, my voice tight.

The boys looked up at me, their eyes wide.

I patted Owen’s shoulder to reassure him, but my grip on the phone tightened.

“We have received a notification from Arthur Pendelton,” Marcus said.

“He tells us you are looking into the clauses regarding the maternal lineage of the heirs.”

“Arthur works for me, Marcus,” I said. “Not the board.”

“Arthur works for the Whitmore Corporation,” Marcus corrected.