Leo climbed into the front passenger seat.

The driver immediately put the car in reverse, tires spinning in the gravel before finding traction.

We surged backward, then turned onto the main road.

The headlights cut through the heavy sheets of rain.

I looked out the window as the small house vanished into the dark pine trees.

We were on the highway now, heading south toward the city.

The rhythm of the windshield wipers was the only sound inside the car.

Swipe. Swipe. Swipe.

“Where are you taking us?” I asked.

Leo did not turn around.

He adjusted the rearview mirror so he could watch my reflection.

“We are going home, Clara,” he said. “To the estate.”

“The estate belongs to Dominic,” I said.

“Dominic is a very sick man,” Leo said.

He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a silver cigarette case.

He did not light one, but he turned the metal case over and over in his fingers.

“My brother made many mistakes,” Leo continued. “But his greatest mistake was thinking he could hide his bloodline.”

I looked down at the twins.