“If that’s the way it must be, then I shall be prepared.”
“You are an amazingly brave woman.” He leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the forehead. “I’m so fortunate that you entered my life when you did.”
“Not as fortunate as I.” She smiled.
It didn’t take long for them to reach the main house. The group came to a stop before leaving the fields of rubber trees. Felipe motioned for the first two men to take their positions.
Katrina held her breath as they ran to the right side of the house. She watched the grounds carefully for any sign of Robert, or any trouble that may arise.
Felipe gave the signal for the next two. Those men ran to the left side of the house.
He met Katrina’s gaze. “Are you ready, Miss Landon?”
“Yes.”
“Go, and may God be with you.”
“Thank you.” She turned and searched Felix’s caring eyes.
He winked and smiled. “I believe in you, my love.”
That’s all the encouragement she needed. As she darted toward the house, she kept her hand over the dagger stuffed inside her raincoat. When she entered the house, she quickly removed her muddy boots and left them on the rug inside the door.
She scanned the grand hallway. Not one person in sight. Taking careful steps, she continued up the stairs and toward her father’s bedroom. Worry threatened to overwhelm her, but she fought against the looming feeling. Felix believed in her, which meant she must believe in herself as well. She couldn’t let these men down. And she for certain would not let hersightcome true.
Her heart pounded like an African drum when she reached her father’s bedchamber door. Taking a deep breath as she tried to calm her nerves, she pulled open the door and entered.
At first, she couldn’t see anything because the room was too dark. The fire in the hearth had fizzled out. She stopped and blinked, trying to adjust her vision. Finally shapes began to take form so she slowly entered, closing the door behind her. A few candles burned, but they didn’t bring much light.
She listened intently. Nothing in the room but dead silence. Immediately, she swung her gaze to the chair where her father always sat. Empty. As she peered toward the bed, she saw the outline of his form...just where she had seen him earlier this morning.
There was something odd about him this time. Something different, even eerie.
Holding her breath, she took measured steps toward the bed. The blankets covering her father weren’t moving. When she came to a stop right beside him, tears filled her eyes, making it harder to see. But she didn’t need to see. She knew it...feltit.
Death hung thick in the room like a cloud of doom.
“Oh, Father.” She sobbed and fell to the bed, grasping his stiff, cold hand. “I’m so sorry. I should have been here sooner. I could have—” Her voice choked to finish her thought, and she realized she wouldn’t have been able to save him. He’d been poisoned for too long. It was only a matter of time before death took him.
Lowering her head, she kissed his very motionless hand. “May God take care of you now and keep you in His arms.”
Another sound rumbled in the room, sounding like someone chuckling. She jerked upright and shifted her gaze around the emptiness until she saw who had made this noise.Robert!Her heart dropped, knowing he was going to try and kill her.
“Oh, my dear stepsister,” he said, moving from the corner of the room, out of the shadows and into more light. “What a tender scene I had the privilege of witnessing. Tell me, how long have you felt this way about Henry? Seems to me you should hate him for abandoning you when you were a child.”
She swiped a tear away before fisting her hands. Anger poured through her so hot she wanted to lash out at him. She wanted nothing more than to take her dagger and sink it deep into this man’s cold heart. Never had she felt such hatred and resentment for anyone. And Robert deserved every bit of it.
“You are the only person in the room that I hate.” Slowly, she rose from the bed and faced him. “You are the reason my father is dead. You have been lacing his tea with poison.”
His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t say anything. Of course, he couldn’t deny it, but what surprised her was how well he accepted this. Something wasn’t right. Panic gradually filled her chest.
“I have been slowly killing him,” Robert nodded, “but there was nothing you—or anyone—could have done about it.”
“Don’t be too certain about that.” She pierced him with a heated glare. “You will pay for your crimes, Mr. Faro. All of your crimes!”
Tilting back his head, he howled with laughter. He moved closer to her, folding his arms across his chest. “You have a short memory, Katrina. I specifically remember telling you how powerful I am. Because I have so much power, and because there are many men who are frightened of me, I really don’t think anyone will try to make me pay for my wrongdoings.”
She cocked her head. “You honestly believe you are invincible?”
