“Sounds good to me.”

As we headed down the two flights of stairs, I heard Justin moan. “Aw, man.”

Lyla let out a loud giggle. “Sorry!”

When we rounded the corner, Justin looked up. “She’s kicking my butt,” Justin complained.

“That’s what little sisters are for,” Mason said.

I sat down next to Lyla on the couch, tickling her sides. “Take pity on your brother.”

“Never!” she shrieked.

Justin met my gaze. “Is she here yet?”

We’d explained the visit to them over dinner last night, telling them what we could expect, and that the social worker might want to talk to them alone. “Not yet. Just remember, all you have to do is tell the truth.”

He nodded, looking down at the dice in his hands.

Lyla burrowed deeper into my side. “She’s not going to take us, right?”

“No, sweetie. She just wants to make sure you’re safe here.”

“We are. The safest. She’ll see all of Mase’s cameras and his gate and then she’ll know, right?” Lyla asked hopefully.

I brushed her hair back from her face. “I think she’ll know.”

Mason’s phone beeped, and he tapped the screen. Putting it to his ear, he answered it. “Hello?” There was silence for a moment, and then, “Just follow the drive down and park anywhere.”

He tapped another icon on his screen and then slid the device into his pocket. “All right, team. We’re gonna get through this. And when we’re done, pizza and ice cream.”

Lyla shot her fist into the air. “Yes!”

Justin wasn’t as easily put at ease, but he nodded, his expression stoic.

I pushed to my feet and took Lyla’s hand. We made our way to the front door. I stayed back with Justin and Lyla while Mason opened it. A woman climbed out of a small SUV and headed up the front steps. She was younger than I’d expected, likely in her mid-twenties and beautiful. The smile she gave us was meant to put everyone at ease, but I couldn’t relax.

Mason reached out a hand. “Hello, Ms. Jacobson. I’m Mason Decker. Welcome.”

She shook his hand, the smile still on her face. “Please, call me Sadie. Thank you for having me in your home.”

She said it as if it were optional or as if we’d invited her over for a barbeque. I did my best to keep my expression warm, but I knew it was fake. This woman had the power to potentially take Justin and Lyla away, to place them with their grandparents. “It’s nice to meet you, Sadie. I’m Anna, and this is Justin and Lyla.”

“Hi, guys. I know you probably have a lot more fun stuff to do on such a pretty day, so I’ll be as quick as I can.”

“We’re getting pizza and ice cream after,” Lyla chimed in.