Page 40 of Sin With Me

Despite my words, I couldn’t feel that same conviction in my chest.

Kate held the papers in her trembling hands. She sat on the dirty floor, crossed-legged. When I reached her and saw her fear stricken face, I wanted to take her in my arms and hold her. Her cheeks were smudged with dirt, and the corner of her forehead illuminated with a tiny hint of light from the window.

She looked like a mess, but it was the most beautiful mess I’d everseen.

“Father John wasn’t exaggerating. It’s true, then. Mateo Cortez lived inPace.”

“Yes, apparently the entire family did. They left town over twenty some yearsago.”

“Why did they leave?”

“I don’t know,” I lied to her once again. It was more difficult to do so each time I had to, but I didn’t want her afraid. I didn’t want to tangle her into my problems. I took her hand into mine and carefully softened my voice. “Kate, why are you so afraid? They’re not here, and I wouldn’t let them hurt you if theywere.”

Why was she so invested inthis?

“Ahm… like I said, I came across the name at work back home. Cortez is dangerous, Father. They’re… they’re one of the most powerful cartels in the country. If Cortez used to live here, he could comeback.”

He or they? Was she referring to a specific Cortez? And if so, why? Her trembling body stole my attention. She blinked repeatedly as if trying to plan an escape route in hermind.

“Kate, there’s no need to be afraid.”

How could I explain to her that if Cortez was planning to return, I’d be the first to know? Brook would warn me if they came close totown.

“We can always notify the appropriate authorities.”

“Wait – not the authorities.” Her fear twisted into full-blown distress. Her hands shook.

“All right. Not the authorities. Not until we have more information at least, all right?”

She nodded.

“The retreat is next week. It will give us time to clear our minds.” She reached for my forehead with her hand and I stilled. A small skim of her fingers near my hairline and I was gone. I could feel her heat. I sensed the urgency of her shallow breaths and saw her eyes spark with juicylust.

God helpme.

“You had a feather in your hair.” Her whisper held seduction andneed.

A feather?

“I’m not sure where it came from,” she explained.

“You’re right. The retreat will take our minds off this attic.” I wasn’t sure where the feather had come from either. But what I was sure about was that Kate’s life was becoming as complicated as my own. My only fear was that I was beginning to need her for much more than a crying shoulder to lean on. I was beginning to crave her much more than a priest should.

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