“I’ve no fucking idea,” Seth said under his breath. “How are we going to get out of here?”

“I don’t care if my tire’s shot out. I’ll drive on it if that’s the only way out,” she whispered.

“Be quiet,” the thin man ordered. “Get up.”

Seth stood, keeping the man in his view, and carefully helped Victoria to her feet. Jason helped Trinity up and moved between her and his father. “You need to let them go.”

“I don’t think so.” His head turned toward Victoria. “I’ve been waiting for her.”

Seth froze. What did he want with Tori?

Pain radiated up Victoria’s arm. Shit. The slightest movement or twist made her eyes roll back in her head. Definitely broken. She’d heard the snap when Seth landed on her. But at the moment, her arm was the least of her concerns. Two crazy men with shotguns took priority.

“What is going on?” she mumbled to Seth, who supported her with her other arm. Rain and mud soaked her jeans.

“I don’t think Jason’s grandfather is happy to see you.”

“I got that. But why?”

“Women shouldn’t do what you do,” came a voice behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw the tall, thin man with his gun’s muzzle at Trinity’s back. He didn’t wear a hat or hood, and water streamed down his face. He gave no sign that he felt it.

“It’s not normal,” he added.

“What do I do?” she asked him.

“Look at bones. Those people are dead. You shouldn’t be handling them like they were pots and pans.” His voice rumbled in anger.

Fire ripped up her spine. “I give every death the respect it deserves! I don’t throw their remains around like pots. My job is to figure out why they died and who is to be held responsible.”

“Why is anyone responsible? Perhaps they deserved to die.”

A new chill started in Victoria’s stomach and filled her lungs.

Was he their killer of the circle of women from forty-five years ago? She dismissed the thought. He was too young to have committed that crime. She slowly turned her head to look at the grandfather. He was not.

The old man was still staring at her, his gun trained on her and Seth. He’d recognized her name. How? From the paper? “Are you Cecil Adams?” She directed her voice at the porch.

“That’s one of my names.”

“And the other?” she asked.

“At one time I was Cesare Abbadelli. Americans struggled with that name. No one blinked when I changed it to Adams.”

Memories poked at her brain. “You were the pastor. My parents went to your church. I remember that it had burned down and I remember you.” She could picture a kind old man, sort of like Santa Claus. But now he was Santa with a gun.

“As I remember you,” he stated.

“That’s enough talking!” Jason’s father snapped.

Victoria leaned on Seth as she turned to look at the angry man. “We need to leave.”

“Absolutely not.” He moved his gun closer to the back of Trinity’s head. Her blonde ponytail dripped rainwater onto her back.

Ice grew in Victoria’s gut. Facing her, Trinity couldn’t see behind her but Victoria’s expression must have alarmed her. Her eyes filled. Both women looked at Jason. The boy appeared stunned.

“Dad, what are you doing?”

“I want you to take them to the shed.”

“No, why—” began Jason.

“Don’t question me, boy!” he snarled.

“Jason,” Trinity started. “Why—”

“Quiet!” roared his father. “Move them, now!”

“No,” stated Trinity. Jason’s father slammed her in the head with his shotgun muzzle, and she cried out, making Victoria cringe. Seth started in Trinity’s direction, but Victoria grabbed his arm with her good hand, locking gazes with the younger gunman. Fear and anger shone from his eyes.

He’s crazy.

She held tight to Seth.

“Get back.” Leo separated Trinity and Jason. “Stand with the girl,” he ordered Victoria.

Every cell in Victoria’s body screamed not to leave Seth. She let go of his arm, holding his gaze. She felt like she was being ripped from her foundation. As long as she stayed by Seth she was safe. She turned her head so neither of the gunmen could see her lips move. “There’s a gun in the console,” she whispered. She usually kept the small handgun in her duffel for boating, ever since she’d been accosted by transients at the waterfront one morning. She’d moved it to her console when she emptied the duffel last week. Seth’s eyes widened the smallest bit and he gave a small nod.

“Leo!” shouted Abbadelli. “What are you doing?”

“What I should have done a long time ago. I’m taking control of this family. You served long enough. It’s time for new blood.”

Abbadelli’s jaw dropped. “Leo?”

“Do you think you’re the only one who can have power?” Leo stared at his father, a challenge in his eyes. “I’ve been watching you all my life. I’ve learned from the best.”

Victoria cringed. Leo’s hatred for his father shone on his face. What had the man done to his son?

She joined Trinity, whose tears streamed down her cheeks. Her hand was pressed to the side of her head where Leo had hit her. Blood oozed between her fingers, mixing with the rain that drenched them all. The blood was a dark stain against her light hair. She silently met Victoria’s gaze.