Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 259

259 The Breaking Point-1

Mara

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Rowan stepped back into the room, a tray in his hands. The polished silver instruments clinked softly against one another, and Tina’s eyes widened in a flash of raw fear.

“Since you want to act like a hardened criminal,” I said evenly, “I’ll treat you like one.”

I reached for a tool at random, and she screamed before I’d even touched her.

“What do you want to know? I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you everything!” she blurted, her voice cracking.

I froze mid-motion, staring at her. “That easy? You couldn’t even put up a fight?”

She stayed silent, her breathing loud in the small room.

“I want everything, Tina. What you know about Chase. What you discussed with him. What you helped him

1. Where he is now. And the name of the kitchen staff working for you.”

Her chest rose and fell faster, panic tightening every muscle in her face. I sat back down, leaning forward,

elbows, on the table.

“I’m listening, Tina. I don’t have all day.”

She exhaled sharply, muttering, “Only crazy people listen to crazy people.”

I stood, closed the space between us, and drove my fist into her stomach. She doubled over as much as

the restraints allowed, coughing through the pain.

“How dare you,” I said coldly, “speak about your so-called friend like that.” The venom in her words told me

what I already knew-Tina had never been a real friend to Keisha.

When she straightened again, there was no attempt to deny it. “I won’t bother lying, Mara. I did it. I worked

against you. I gave him your address. I sent the letter, made it look like it came from Mistwood. I mailed it

a month early because I knew I’d be in labor soon.

“He promised to help me get Richard back from Neev and set me up financially. So I helped. Two weeks

ago, I met him in Goldenpeak. He said he was heading to sea, to Mistwood, to intercept a vessel.”

Her chin lifted in pride. “We’re in love, Mara. Even if you lock me up-which I know you will-he’ll come for me. Lucian is no match for him. Chase has the military behind him and all the Nighthorn money at his disposal. He’ll crush the Nighthorns like a fly. This is already a lost battle.”

I stared at her for a beat, then began to laugh-low and genuine-at the sheer delusion spilling from her

mouth.

“I doubt he loves you, Tina,” I said, rising from my chair. She’d told the truth, at least the parts that mattered-and she was certain Alaric would come for her. I didn’t feel the slightest shred of pity.

“Tina Livingston,” I said, my voice cold and clear. “I am sentencing you to a minimum of fifty years, and a

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<259 The Breaking Point- 1

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maximum of seventy years imprisonment with hard labor under harsh conditions-for treason. You can

spend that time reflecting on your wickedness and pleading with the goddess for forgiveness… if there’s

anything left of your soul worth cleansing.”

She threw her head back and laughed. “Chase will crush the Nighthorns, Mara. I’ll be free in no time. They’ll march on this soil and end your reign. I hope you’ve said goodbye to your loved ones.”

Her gaze dropped pointedly to my stomach. “That baby will never see the light of day.”

I only smiled. “You must not have heard the news about Rockville. Sometimes it pays to keep up.”

Confusion flickered across her face. I linked Rowan. Play it.

A screen was wheeled in. Five minutes of Rockville’s footage ran in silence. The laughter left Tina’s eyes first. Then her breathing quickened. When the truth settled, she erupted-screaming, shouting, struggling

against the silver bindings.

“Take her away,” I said. “May the goddess cleanse your soul, Tina.”

“Wait! I can help you get him! Please-don’t lock me up!”

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259 The Breaking Point 2

259 The Breaking Point-2

The switch was instant. Too instant. A moment ago she’d sworn eternal love for him and certain victory.

Now she was ready to trade him in for her freedom. Fickle didn’t begin to cover it.

“I’ve gotten more than enough out of you, Tina.” I turned for the door.

“The kitchen staff’s name is Gilbert! Please let me go!”

I ignored her entirely, stepping out to join Lucian in the observation room. He met me with a small smile of

approval.

“Lacy said the same about his whereabouts,” Lucian murmured. “Looks like we need to prepare for an

attack. He won’t stay in the shadows now.”

I nodded. The next move was coming-whether we were ready for it or not.

“We need to solicit help from others-build a resistance big enough to hold the line,” I told Lucian.

He nodded, rising from his chair. As we walked toward his office, our voices stayed low.

“It won’t be easy to get people on board,” he said. “If they won’t join our military force, we’ll have to lean on

Mooncrest’s residents for defense.”

I knew he was right. The balance of power between Alaric and the Nighthorns was razor-thin. Most people would rather stay neutral than risk picking the losing side.

We stepped into Lucian’s office-and froze.

Alpha Vander was there.

The last time we’d seen him was when he stormed out during Lacy’s questioning that morning. Seeing him here was unexpected… and judging by the tightness in Lucian’s jaw, it was just as much of a shock for him.

“Father,” Lucian said, surprise breaking through his usual composure.

Vander looked up, his eyes still burning with rage. “I can’t retire with that bastard still on the loose.”

I crossed the room and sat on the couch without a greeting. In his current state, I doubted Vander even

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