I realized I’d let the note fall to the floor in the entryway in my rush to get Caelyn and the kids to safety. I bent, picking it up and handing it to Parker. He let out a litany of curses and then pulled out his phone, calling it in. “The Anchor deputies will be here in minutes. But more backup is coming. Where are the kids? Caelyn?”

I hesitated for the briefest moment. I didn’t share with anyone that I had a panic room. They worked best when they were a secret no one knew about. “They’re in my panic room.”

Parker’s eyes widened a fraction and then he nodded. “Think you can handle sweeping the house with me?”

I tightened the grip on my gun. “Let’s go.”

We moved from room to room on every floor, and it wasn’t until we returned to the entryway and saw another sheriff’s department vehicle racing up the drive that I relaxed a bit. I glanced at Parker. “Did you leave my gate open?”

He looked a little sheepish. “I didn’t think I’d be here long.”

I shook my head. I’d given him the code in case there was a true emergency. “I’m going to get Caelyn and the kids. Keep the deputies outside for now.”

Parker nodded, heading out the front door. I strode back into my office, moving through the bookcase and to the reinforced steel door hidden behind it. I plugged in the code and called downstairs. “It’s Griffin. You can come up now.”

Caelyn was first up the stairs, practically tackling me. “You’re okay? Tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Parker’s here with some other deputies.” I looked at the kids. “You guys okay?” They nodded, but Ava and Mia appeared more than a little shaken up. I crouched, pulling them both into my arms. “Everything’s okay.” I held them for a long moment and then released them both. “Can you guys do me a favor?”

“Sure,” Will answered.

“Don’t tell anyone about that room. It’s our secret hiding place, okay?”

Mia looked up at me thoughtfully. “Like a fort.”

I forced myself to smile at her. “Exactly. Like a secret fort. Only we can know about it. Got it?”

“Got it,” she agreed.

I looked to Ava, and she nodded.