Page 113 of Sin With Me

“Mom, I can’t leaveyou.”

Even if I wanted to, I wasn’t physically capable of doingso.

“You can and youwill.”

“Anna, Kate’s right. We can’t run away from this. We have to stick together. God will guideus.”

I could see my mother struggling on the inside. Her faith had been tested in the past, and so she chose to follow her own rules – which obviously hadn’t worked.

“We need to stick together,” I repeated, but didn’t get a chance to hear any argument from her because the trio of Cortez men came back inside, and Mateo pointed to the door. “It’s time to finish this, Anna. Lead theway.”

“She needs another glass of water.” My mother pointed tome.

Mike passed me a glass, and my mother helped tilt it to my lips. When I finished, she said, “Her leg is broken. Hope needs someone to carryher.”

“Now you’re pushing it,” Mikesaid.

“You’re giving up on fifty million that fast? I thought you’d been waiting for this for a longtime.”

He frowned.

“I’ll carry her,” Mike mumbled, with annoyance.

“All of you, get in the car,” Mateo ordered.

“There’s no need,” my mother said. “The money’s within walking distance.”

By the look of their flaring nostrils, they didn’t like the answer. Or perhaps they didn’t like obeying anyone else. After a quick exchange of looks, Mateo left out the frontdoor.

Mike came toward me and in haste lifted me in hisarms.

“Ahh!” I yelped out in pain as he adjusted the weight of my body in hishold.

“You need to be careful,” my mother said. “She’s still your sister.”

I thought I felt him tense a little, then relax. “And you need to show us where you hid the money. Now.”

Mike eased his grip and carried me out the front door. We followed my mother and Father John, who led the way flanked by Mateo and Aaron. The night was cool, and when I shivered, I felt him bring me closer to his body. We were heading west of town, toward our family chapel.

“How long have you known you were a Cortez? Or have you always known?” I asked.

“My parents told me early on that I was adopted. I was curious about my biological parents but found them both listed as deceased. At eighteen I went to find my extended family, and that when I found my uncle. He told me that my mother tried to kill me and that my father was murdered. My uncle welcomed me with openarms.”

“He lied to you. Our mother’s a good person. You have to believethat.”

Mike shook his head. At that moment, my only hope was getting to him. I needed him to realize that he was fighting the wrong battle. “Come on. You’re a detective. You’re a smart man, Mike. This is Cortez we’re talking about.”

“Just shut the fuck up. This is my family, and by the end of the night, I’ll be able to retire.”

Okay, obviously trying to play off his intelligence wasn’t working.

“How long have you known about me?” I asked. The further he walked, the weaker I felt. My head was spinning, and I felt like I was falling in and out of consciousness.

“My uncle convinced me to become a detective. He helped me move to New York, where I found you day one at the precinct.”

“Did you take the job because ofme?”

“I’m not stupid, Kate. I’ve been hoping you’d know something about the money; after all, Mother keptyou.”

---