Max’s nerves were on edge, but Vivienne’s presence by his side worked wonders in keeping his mood swings in check. Now more than ever, he needed to keep his wits about him.

Jack walked in. “I’ve just vetted two women from Seattle Child Services.” He gave Hugo a raised brow. “And there’s a policeman accompanying them. All mortals.”

“I’m sorry,” Hugo said, heading to the elevator.

“It’s okay,” Max said. “Nothing happens if they wait a few minutes downstairs.”

“We don’t want to give them reasons to despise you.” Mrs. Lanetti paused her pacing and turned to face him. “Let me deal with the social workers.”

“I can’t promise I’ll keep quiet.” Max shrugged, sinking lower into the couch as he stretched his long legs in front of him and crossed his ankles.

“Please.” Mrs. Lanetti’s exasperated sigh was followed by a long stretch of silence that she ended with a fiery stare. “Sometimes, I wonder why you persist having me on retainer when you seldom heed my pricey advice,” she said. Her blue eyes could have melted a lesser man into a puddle.

Max smiled at her. “Because you are the best shifter lawyer in Seattle.”

Mrs. Lanetti’s lower lip imperceptibly curved up into the ghost of a smile. “Please, behave.” She walked back to her seat as Hugo came back, escorting two women and a uniformed cop into the living room.

“Mrs. Grace and Mrs. Quinn,” Hugo said, then added, “And Officer Lewis.”

“Maximus Price.” Max stood and offered his hand to both women and the cop before introducing the rest of the room to them. When it was Vivienne’s turn, he presented her as his friend.

Mrs. Grace and Mrs. Quinn nodded politely and took the seat Max offered them.

“Mr. Prize, I want to get directly to the point,” Mrs. Grace. “We were informed you have a minor under your roof—”

“How did you come in possession of such information?” Mrs. Lanetti asked.

“Is it true that a baby girl was brought here last night?” Mrs. Quinn asked.

“My client isn’t going to answer any of your questions if you don’t disclose the source of your information first.” Mrs. Lanetti smiled at the women.

The social workers looked at each other, exchanging a silent conversation before Mrs. Grace said, “It was an anonymous source.”

“And why would you believe an anonymous source?” Mrs. Lanetti raised a sculpted eyebrow.

“Because it came with a picture of a baby taken inside this building.” Mrs. Quinn reached into the large bag hanging from her sagging shoulder and produced a manila folder. “Take a look.” Before she could stand, Max walked to her and took the folder she held out to him.

After taking a look at the lonely picture in the folder, Max motioned for both Wilson and his lawyer to come closer.

“That’s Hugo behind the reception desk,” Wilson commented.

“The time stamp says two o’clock in the morning,” Max said, eyeing Hugo, who promptly nodded.

Hugo joined the trio and lowered his voice to say, “I can check the video surveillance, but it was around that time when the courier arrived.”

“Make a copy of the video, please,” Wilson said, sending Hugo away.

“Is the baby here or not?” Mrs. Quinn asked, her body subtly angling toward the policeman, who stood by the entrance. “We have a warrant to search the house for her.” She produced another folder from the cavernous bag and showed them an official-looking paper.

Mrs. Lanetti snatched the warrant and scanned its content. “Judge Biondi signed it,” she said under her breath, pronouncing the judge’s last name like a swearword. She gave Max a slight nod and turned toward the social workers.

“She is my daughter,” Max said before his lawyer could talk on his behalf.

Even though he paid her an obscene amount of money to counsel and represent him in court, he fought his own battles. It had always been that way since he was a kid, and that wasn’t going to change now. Especially when his precious Amber Rose was on the line.

Mrs. Lanetti gave him one of her patented glares that could freeze hot lava.

He ignored his lawyer and added, “And I’m taking full responsibility for my daughter.”

Mrs. Grace raised her hand to stop him. “First of all, we must see the baby girl and make sure she’s fine,” she said, standing to her full height which wasn’t impressive. The woman still managed to look formidable, though, with her straight posture and defiant expression.

Max knew these women were only doing their job, and he could even appreciate that they were after Amber Rose’s wellbeing, but they were a threat. Historically, he didn’t answer well to threats. His legendary temper rose, making his dragon nervous.

Vivienne stepped to his side. She gave him a small smile and placed her hand over his arm. At his frown, she gently squeezed and said, “Everything’s going to be okay.”

Somehow, Vivienne’s light touch and her reassuring tone was all it took to defuse his anger. He patted her hand. “Would you bring Amber Rose here?”

“Of course.” Vivienne made to move, but he squeezed her hand.

“Thank you,” Max said, trying to convey as much as he could within those few words.

“No worries.” Vivienne smiled and walked away.

Max watched her go, thankful that she was in his life.

“When did you receive the tip?” Mr. Stamper asked, making Max turn.

“An hour ago,” Mrs. Grace answered after a pregnant silence.

“I’m impressed,” Mr. Stamper commented. “It takes time to get all the papers in order, but you managed to do it in less than sixty minutes. This case is top priority for you.”

“Every child is top priority for us,” Mrs. Quinn answered back.

“Of course,” Mrs. Lanetti said. “And I’m sure that it’s a coincidence that Judge Biondi is Dortmund’s friend.”

Max listened to them while his senses tuned on Vivienne’s light steps walking the length of the hallway on her way to the guestroom. A moment later, he heard her coming back, and a sense of calm descended on him.