Inside the panic room, it was dead silent. There was a monitor on the wall showing camera feeds from around the house, but Clara kept it off so Mia wouldn't see the violence. She sat on the floor, rocking the terrified child.

Ten minutes passed. Then, the heavy steel door rattled.

Someone was entering the override code on the keypad outside.

Clara’s blood ran cold. Only Dante and Silas knew that code.

The green light on the door flashed. The locking mechanism clanked loudly.

Clara stood up, pushing Mia behind her into the corner. She drew the Glock Dante had given her, clicking the safety off just as he had taught her. She raised the gun, keeping both eyes open.

The heavy door swung open. It wasn't Dante. It wasn't Silas.

It was one of the estate guards, a man named Miller. And standing behind him, wearing a bespoke suit stained with ash, was Victor Vance.