The silence in the room was deadly.

Zoey couldn’t breathe.

Daniel stood there, blocking the only exit, his presence filling the entire space like a storm that had finally broken loose.

“I was wondering,” he said calmly, “how long it would take you.”

Her fingers tightened around Avila’s small hand. Vivian stepped closer behind her, shielding her sister instinctively.

Zoey swallowed hard.

Think.

There had to be a way out.

“Sir…” she began carefully, “this isn’t what it looks like—”

Daniel laughed.

A low, humorless sound.

“Really?” he said. “Because it looks like you’re trying to run away with my children.”

Her heart pounded violently.

“I was just—”

“Stop lying.”...