A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 998

Back on Manton Isle.

Romy leaned in close to Starla's ear. "Someone is trying to flank our position. They must know you're here."

"Licht's men?"

If it was, the old bastard was more resourceful than she thought. Even while fighting for his life, he still had the bandwidth to track her down and send a strike team.

Romy shook her head. "Seymour just relayed the intel. It's your brother's men."

Yardley's men?

Starla's eyes darkened instantly. A cold, venomous smirk curled her lips. "He wants to use me as a hostage to force Amos to back off."

*My own brother.*

What was there even left to say? First, he protected Brinley. Then, for the sake of his precious interests, he nearly handed her over to Licht. And now? To save that old bastard, he was actually trying to capture his own sister to threaten Amos.

Who was Amos? He was just a fiercely loyal friend of Fairfax. Did Yardley really think Amos was doing all this tonight just to avenge Fairfax? Did Yardley seriously not understand that loyalty usually faded the moment a person was in the grave? Yet, Amos was risking it all.

Starla dialed Yardley's number. He answered almost immediately. "Starla."

"If Amos doesn't submit to your threat, are you going to order your men to actually kill me?" Starla asked softly.

Dead silence choked the line.

"What a wonderful brother you are," she mocked, her tone dripping with absolute contempt.

"Licht cannot die!" Yardley roared. "I didn't find the ancient book you told me about! Starla, you lied to me!"

She had lied to Herbert, and she had lied to him.

"What a shame. It looks like you're a little too late," Starla said lazily.

"Too late for what?"

Starla's smile widened into something feral. "Licht is dead."

Those words made Yardley's breathing turn jagged. "Are you telling me the truth?"

"As true as it gets. So, even if your men grab me now to threaten Amos, it's useless."

It was finally over.

She had known that throwing enough money at the problem would yield results. Buying an assassination outright had been shockingly effective. She used to avoid being greedy, but she was quickly realizing that money was a beautiful thing. Amos's victory proved her millions had been perfectly spent.

"You stupid girl, do you have any idea what you've just done?" Yardley exploded, his rage boiling over at the confirmation of Licht's death.

"I used my 'stupidity' to save my own life," Starla fired back. "Brother."

The word 'brother' tasted like ash in her mouth.