Solana and I both go to inspect their handiwork, which, as it turns out, isn’t bad at all. When I test the sturdiness of the crib by trying to wiggle the frame, it doesn’t move. A credit I silently give to Drew, the hulking IVI guard with a perpetually stern look on his face.

“Thank you.” I offer them a warm smile. “This is amazing.”

Drew’s phone rings, interrupting the moment, and almost at the same time, the doorbell chimes. He answers his phone as I move to check the door, and then his hand catches my wrist and stops me.

“Wait here, Ms. De La Rosa.” The order is barked with such authority that it really does halt me in my tracks.

Georgie and Solana exchange a glance, and then we all watch as Drew goes to the door, quietly talking into his phone to the other guard outside. When he opens the door, there’s a small box sitting on the step, and a strange shudder crawls down my spine as I realize this wouldn’t be from Judge. There’s no way he’d not deliver something personally, and Drew confirms it when he bends down, carefully lifting the flap of the cardboard. His spine goes rigid, and he hangs up his phone abruptly, glancing at me over his shoulder.

“What is it?” I demand.

His lips flatten like he doesn’t want to answer. “I should talk to Santiago first—”

“Tell me.” I glare at him. “Right now, or I’ll come look myself.”

The crease between his brows intensifies, and he shakes his head, muttering his quiet response.

“It’s a plastic baby doll, chopped into pieces… and a blank invitation for a funeral.”

“I really don’t like this, Mercedes.” Santi’s jaw clenches as he glances around the space, searching for invisible threats. “It would be better if you came back to the manor.”

I can see how difficult it is for him to make this request, rather than demanding it like he’s used to. So I offer him a small smile, trying my best to sound calm.

“It will be okay. Georgie and Solana are going to stay with me. I can’t let Vincent dictate how I’m going to live my life. That was the whole point of me coming here. And clearly, The Tribunal has no plans to deal with him, so this situation isn’t going away.”

Santi shakes his head in frustration at the observation. He’s not happy with it, but it’s the truth.

“Besides, I have the guards,” I point out.

“And you’ll have more,” he grits out. “I’m calling in two additional. They’ll be here shortly.”