Page 112 of Sin With Me

“Mom, don’t.” I struggled to get the words past my swollenlips.

“You tell me where it is, Anna, or I will shoot right through her mouth and into the brain.”

“You shoot her and you will never find that money. You harm her any further and I’ll take it all to my grave,” my mother shot back. She then turned toward her son, “Mikey, you’re not him. You’re not a Cortez. You can still make this right.”

I thought I saw another flash of doubt in Mike’seyes.

“Father!” A loud voice boomed through the room, and Aaron, Mateo’s son, stepped through the front door. “How many times have you vowed not to make grandpa’s mistakes? I need to speak to everyone. Now.”

Mike exchanged a gaze with Mateo, who nodded.

“He’s right, uncle. Let’s get our shit together and take her with us. If she’s lying, they’re all dead anyway.”

I had a feeling that unless I pulled a miracle out of my ass, we were all dead. The men all left to the back room, and my mother and Father John both rushed to myside.

My mother gently swept the hair away from my face and held the glass of water to my lips while Father John worked on untying my wrist.

“Baby, I’m so sorry. I never meant for them to findyou.”

It hurt to swallow, but my mouth wouldn’t let go of the glass until I emptied it. It felt like I was drinking pure life. I couldn’t answer my mother until I was done. When I finished, I took a deep breath asking, “Is it true? Is Mike my brother?”

My mother nodded in response.

“We thought he was dead,” Father Johnsaid.

“And you?” I tried to open my left eye to look at him, but it still hurt. “Do you know the truth? Do you know who Iam?”

“I… I think I do, Kate. I think you’re my daughter.” He glanced to my mother for confirmation and she gasped.

“John, I’m sorry.”

He closed his eyes in pain. My mother’s eyes filled with regret.

“Father John, you’re hurt.” I pointed to the gash in his abdomen.

“It’s not deep. I’ll be fine,” hesaid.

Eight months ago, I would have believed a priest; but now, I wasn’t toosure.

“John, what are we going to do?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but we sure could use Xavier’s helpnow.”

“Xavier’s been gone for ten years. I’m really beginning to lose hope,” I replied.

“Don’t ever lose hope, Kate. Don’t ever.” Father John gently touched my arm. I felt love radiate from him, and it wasn’t only because he was a priest. It was because he was my father.

“I’m sorry about everything,” I said to him. “I can’t even imagine what you must be feeling.”

“I’m thinking how blessed I feel to have such a thoughtful daughter,” he smiled. “Keep your faith and hope intact, the way you always have, Kate. Or is itHope?”

“Either one is fine,” I replied. “We’re a family. We need to stick together.”

A miracle would be appreciated aswell.

“Mom, whatever happens, you can’t lead them to the money, and we must stick together. Do you understand?”

“Hope, you get away from them if you can.” She looked at the window to the side. “It’s getting dark now. When we go to get the money, run. I’ll… I’ll create a distraction. Don’t you think about me and just get away from them – do you understand? Because once they have the money, they won’t spare asoul.”

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