Maya’s POV
I held the little girl close to my chest. Her small body shook against me. The old house by the river felt too small for all the people inside. Richard Cross stood in the middle like he owned everything. Victoria and Isabella glared at each other. Their men pointed guns at us. Sarah kept the boy behind her back. Liam stayed near the wall, his eyes locked on me.
“You think you can run with our blood?” Richard said. His voice was cold and deep. “These children carry the Cross name. They belong with the family.”
Sarah stepped forward. “They are my children. I gave birth to them. You will not take them.”
Victoria laughed. “Birth means nothing here. Power decides. The girl has strong blood. She will learn our ways.”
The little girl buried her face in my neck. “Aunt Maya, I want
