Page 48 of Baby Me

He must have mistaken his situation formine.

“We’ll see about that,” I said under my breath, and then added, “Listen, we can sit out here as long as you want. Actually, if you don’t mind, I’ll go back to my cabin and warm up every now and then. They’re saying it’s supposed to drop below freezing again tonight. Anyway, what were you saying about not wanting to get out of here alive? Because I certainly don’t have a problem with that. It doesn’t take long to freeze. It’s definitely a quicker way to go than starving to death. So, the way I see it, you have two choices, Mike. Stay in that hole with your gun and bullets and freeze to death, or you can help me, and we can both get what wewant.”

He waited, thinking over my offer. “What is it that you want,Kate?”

I was tired of running. I was tired of constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering whether someone was coming to get me. Even if I wanted to remain in this little town of nowhere, I wanted to do so without fear. I wanted to have Cameron’s child without stress. If I allowed my past to chase me, then I was risking not only my life but Cameron’s. He was unconscious when I left him. I didn’t even know whether he’d make it, and I could only hope that the paramedics had arrived in time. From the looks of it, Cameron had a long recovery ahead of him. It was time that I was his rock, the way up to now, that he had beenmine.

“I want Cortez. Help me get him. Lure him in for me and I’ll put in a good word for you when you’re facing jailtime.”

“Fuck you. I wantnojail time,” he calledout.

“Listen, we’refamily.”

Asif.

“I’ll ask for all charges to bedropped.”

If I don’tforget.

I could barely get that “family” part past my throat. Even though Mike Donaldson was my half-brother, I’d never considered him to be such. He didn’t know the concept of family; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sold me out toCortez.

“If Cortez finds out I betrayed him, I’mdead.”

He was considering the idea, though, which meant that my plan actually had a chance towork.

“Not necessarily. There must be something that he wants more than my head, isn’tthere?”

I waited until Mike realized that he could use me. I wouldn’t let him, but I’d allow him to think hecould.

“He talks about twenty-five million that was missing from thecrypt.”

“You mean the twenty-five million that my mother never put in the crypt?” Iasked.

“It’s true then? The money’s real?” He calledout.

“Of course, the money’s real. You think we’d go through all this trouble for nothing? Tell me how to find Aaron Cortez, and I’ll make sure you’re unconscious before he gets to you. From his point of view, there would be no point in killing you when you’re unconscious, right? Don’t you see, Mike? You’re the perfect bait to lure him out and I’m your key to do so. I’m the one he wants dead, not you. It’s zero risk for you. In Cortez’s mind, If I’m dead, you inherit all themoney.”

I waited. He had to see it my way. At least, he had to believe enough of my ridiculous theory to come out of that damnhole.

“Do the right thing for once, Mike. Do what’s right for you, and not for some uncle who never really loved you. He used you, Mike. Let’s take him out – together. That money belongs to me and you. You’re mybrother.”

I waited, wondering whether my offer was strongenough.

A gentle breeze swept across the forest, ushering in a gust of colder air. I followed my gaze along the leaves as they were lifted up all the way toward the trench and waited until the wind hit him. This was just the beginning of his torture if he didn’t take myoffer.

“All right. I agree. I’ll help you. You’re… you’re family too,right?”

Come on, you fucker, say it. Beg forit.

With perfect timing, another cold breeze sweptthrough.

“Kate? Are you there? Kate, I said I’ll help you. Whatever you want, just get me out of here,okay?”

“Throw the gun up,” Iordered.

A moment later, the gun flew out of the hole and landed opposite where I was standing. Was it a gun? I didn’t get a good look, because it landed in a pile of leaves, but I hoped he was scared enough not to crossme.

“I’m going to throw down a rope. You need to climb up.” I nodded to Gary behind the tree, who adjusted for a perfect aim. I stepped closer to the hole and threw the rope down, then backed up to a safe spot as it unrolled into the deep trench. Moments later, the rope tightened under Mike’s weight as he pulled himself up. I looked back to Gary, who nodded from behind the tree, holding his hunting gun steady in hishands.

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