My six-year-old nephew crawled to my door with a broken leg while his three-year-old sister clung to his shirt, sobbing

Judge Vance nodded slowly, taking in my words. She then looked down at six-year-old Leo.

"Leo," the judge said gently. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, ma'am," Leo answered, his young voice sounding surprisingly clear through the microphone on the podium. "You're the judge."

"That's right, Leo. Can you tell me where you want to live?"

Leo turned his head to look directly at Rebecca sitting at the defense table. Rebecca cowered, hiding her face in her hands.

"I want to live with Uncle Thomas," Leo said, his voice firm and unwavering. "He fixed my leg. He gave us food when we were hungry. And he promised that nobody would ever lock us in the dark again."

A soft murmur swept through the gallery. Several news reporters in the back rows were visibly moved.

Judge Vance struck her gavel with absolute authority.

"The court finds that it is in the absolute best interest of the minor children, Leo Moretti and Maya Moretti, to be placed immediately into the sole legal and physical custody of their uncle, Thomas Moretti," Judge Vance declared. "Furthermore, all financial assets, trusts, and insurance policies belonging to the late Ethan Moretti are hereby frozen and transferred under the sole trusteeship of Mr. Thomas Moretti until the children reach the age of majority."

Rebecca burst into hysterical sobs, screaming as the bailiffs grabbed her arms to drag her back toward the holding cells.

"Thomas! Please!" she shrieked, struggling against the guards. "Don't do this to me! I'm sorry!"

I didn't turn around to look at her. I picked Leo up out of his wheelchair, holding him close against my chest, while Marcus handed Maya back into my arms.

We walked out of the courtroom together, stepping through the double doors into the bright Texas sunshine.

The news cameras flashed madly as we descended the courthouse steps, but my men formed a solid human wall, shielding the children from the noise and commotion.

We got into the back of the Lincoln Navigator.

As the car pulled away from the courthouse, Leo rested his head against my shoulder, his small fingers pulling at my coat collar.