"We can get rid of her right now."
Kim's chest tightened at Cal's words and she stepped protectively in front of Kayla. "Please, Cal, I swear . . . I'll do whatever you want. Just don't hurt her."
The gun wavered a little, as if Cal was debating pulling the trigger.
"Please," Kim repeated.
Behind her, Kayla's breathing was coming in short bursts. Kim could feel her sister's fear.
"I just wanted her safe." Kim studied Cal's eyes, trying to figure out if anything she was saying was getting through. "Just please don't hurt her."
Cal's finger tensed around the trigger. Kayla's hand brushed Kim's shoulder from behind, and Kim felt tears stinging her eyes.
"Please!"
The gun lowered.
"Thank you," Kim whispered, this time needing no effort to make it sound sincere.
"No more games, Kim," Cal said. He stepped toward her and took the key from her hand. "I'm not a fool."
Kim swallowed hard. "Okay, Cal. . . ." She was out of ideas to trick him. "You know me. You know I'd do anything to protect my family."
"I'm listening." Cal crossed his arms, still holding he gun in his right hand.
Kayla's hand was still on Kim's shoulder. "Don't do this," Kayla whispered.
It's too late, Kim thought. We tried to escape, but failed. This is the only way. She looked up at Cal. "You want me, Cal. You can have me. I'll go with you - willingly. I won't fight. I won't try to escape. Whatever you want. Wherever you take me."
"And in exchange?" he asked.
"You let Kayla go, and you don't do anything to hurt Andrew and Jeannie. Or their father. With me gone, they'll need him."
Cal's eyes narrowed and he shook his head. "I don't know if you could do that. After your lies, I don't know if I can believe you."
"I'm not lying," Kim insisted. I'm not. "If loving you is what it takes to keep my children and my sister safe, then you'll have my love." She smiled. "Remember what we had . . . without Shane. Do you remember when we made love for the first time? Or when you put your ring on my finger? We can find that love again, Cal."
She stepped toward him. She stopped momentarily as she saw him tense, but then he relaxed a little. Kim touched his arm, caressing it softly. Inside, she felt her stomach churning and the bile rising in her chest, but she did not let that stop her.
Their lips met in a long kiss that she tried to make as passionate as possible. It seemed to work, because Cal's arms wrapped around her and he ran a hand along her back. Kim did her best not to shudder.
As the kiss ended, she repeated in a soft whisper, "Whatever you want, Cal. I'll do anything." She reached behind her back and took his hand. "Why don't we go to your room?"
"Kimmie," Kayla's tortured voice came from behind her. "You don't have to do this."
"Be quiet," Cal snapped. "I could still change my mind about getting rid of you."
Kim winced at the sound of his voice. "But you don't want to," she said softly. "You want to take me away and let Kayla go. She won't know where we're going, so there's no reason to hurt her." Kim reached up and ran a hand along the line of his jaw, tilting his head toward her. "You know you want me, Cal." She pushed down the bile once more. "Let me show you just what you can have."
Cal studied her, the insane leer plain in his eyes. She ran her hand over his chest, knowing she had him. His resistance was crumbling. "Let me show you, Cal."
"In that filthy room?" Kayla asked, interrupting once more. Kim turned and shot her sister a sharp glare, but Kayla's answering look seemed even more determined as she focused on Cal. "Is that how you show someone you love them? You'd make love to Kim in that dirty room on that flimsy mattress."
Cal stiffened, then stepped back.
"It's okay," Kim whispered, worried that Cal would again turn his anger on Kayla. "It doesn't matter where."
"No," Cal said. "She's right this time." He looked down into Kim's eyes. "When we make love, it's going to be special, Kim. Like you deserve."
She smiled at him, playing along, but she knew her relief would be short-lived. Kayla had spared Kim the humiliation of sleeping with Cal that night, but it would just prolong the inevitable. "Then tomorrow, my love," she said, stepping toward him once more. "When we leave Salem and you let Kayla go."
Cal stepped back and an expression of distrust flashed across his face. "I have to think about this, Kim. I have to think about whether I trust you." He looked around the room once more. "No more tricks, ladies. I'm right outside, so if you try anything, I'll stop you. And I promise, if you try any more tricks. . . ." He stared intently at Kayla. "Well . . . let's just say we won't be having any more discussions about little sister going home."
He turned, walked out the door, and closed it behind him. Kim heard him insert the key in the lock and the click as it turned.
Behind her, Kayla whispered in a horrified tone, "What have you done, Kim?"
Kim shook her head, knowing Kayla could never fully understand. "I did what I had to, Kay . . . just what I had to do."