Patricia approached slowly. “What did I tell you about sitting here?” she snapped – mynraa

No one moved.

Even the house felt still. The diffuser in the corner kept pushing vanilla into the air, and it made my stomach turn.

Vanessa recovered first. She folded her arms and looked at the girls, not me.

“So this is what we’re doing now? Secret recordings? In my fiancé’s house?”

“In my house,” I said.

Her eyes snapped to mine.

Mara stayed between Vanessa and the girls. One hand rested on Lily’s shoulder. The other kept June tucked against her hip. I noticed then that her wrist was shaking.

“Take the girls to the breakfast room,” I said.

Lily shook her head so fast her ponytail slapped her cheek.

“No. She lies when we leave.”

That landed harder than the recording.

I looked at Cal. “Lock the front and side doors. No one comes in, and she doesn’t leave until we’re done.”

Vanessa gave a short laugh. “You’re joking.”

Cal didn’t answer. He just lifted his radio and started issuing orders.