Page 119 of Poisoned Promise
He took his time getting here and in that time, all I focused on was the fact that Alex was safe. Reese’s threats that I’d remain in the dark about whether Alex is alive or not just simply didn’t land.
I know Felix.
I know he loves me.
And I know he will do everything in his power to keep Alex safe. There’s no one else in the world I trust more, so when I lift my gaze and find Caterina glaring down at me, the poison in her eyes means nothing.
“And the boy?” Caterina tears her gaze away from me. “Bring him in too.”
“The boy?” A note of confusion enters Reese’s voice.
“Yes? Alex. Where is he?”
“You told me to exchange them.”
Tension ripples through Caterina’s face and one brow twitches. “Did youactuallyexchange them?”
“Of course I did,” Reese replies, his voice low as if somehow that would prevent me from hearing the conversation happening over my head.
“You fool! You weren’t supposed to actually let them walk out of there!”
“But Felix was?—.”
“I don’t give a shit!” Caterina cuts him off sharply. “Are you thick? Were you stunted as a child? What part of this entire situation made you think it was okay toactuallylet that child walk free? I can’t believe I thought you were capable of something so simple, so easy as this. This is child’s play. Were you born yesterday?!” Higher and higher her voice climbs. “A hostage exchange isn’t supposed to be an actual exchange, you fucking imbecile! Go and get me that boy right now!”
Reese’s thundering footsteps as he flees the office bring a smile to my lips. He’ll never find them, not now. Felix is far too good at what he does and with Bree on his side, I know my son will be safe.
That’s all that matters.
“Drink?” Caterina’s voice is suddenly completely different, soft and almost loving as she steps away from her desk. The change is jarring, and it’s hard to believe she’s the same woman who screeched in fury a few seconds ago.
“No thanks.”
“You’re having one. Discussions like this need drinks.” She turns her back on me and focuses on the golden trolley filled with an array of crystal decanters filled with all sorts of amber liquids.
I could kill her right now.
I don’t need any tools to do it. My bare hands are enough.
Very slowly, I climb to my feet.
Each movement is slow and calculated to minimise the risk of a floorboard giving away my change of state but just as I make it to my feet, a low throat clearing alerts me to the two guards still at the door.
I didn’t even see them when Reese dragged me into her office.
There’s no way I can kill her before they drag me off her.
Fuck.
“You look like a brandy kind of girl,” Caterina says, pouring two drinks and then turning back to me with them in her hands. “Am I right?”
“No.”
“Shame. Your father was a brandy man.” She hands me the glass anyway and I take it just to keep my hands busy. I will kill her, but doing it here and now risks ending my life before I’m ready.
“No, he wasn’t. He was a scotch man.”
She pauses on her way to the couch, then elegantly lowers herself and invites me to sit across from her.
