Page 110 of Dangerous Promises

"You," he says, accusatory finger pointing my way. He looks murderous and half dressed like he came here in a huff at the last minutes notice. The fact he's come alone tells me he acted hastily and that I'm likely on my own here against him. Given what's coming, that might be better.

Isla tries to block me with her body but I shove her aside and warn her to stay away.

"Fucking Rushkoffs, even after all this time you're trying to take everything from my family."

"Your daughter murdered my brother, you know."

"And you murdered one of my brothers."

It's probably not the best time to point out that I was aiming at Sage when I fired that gun. Dimitri paces around the tables in the bar and I do the same in order to maintain the distance between us. I'm not sure what I'm trying to achieve here. I just know that after everything I've done I can't actually kill Sage's father. Injuring him is probably out of the question. Talking sense into him is a pipe-dream. And I'm out of options.

"You're dead this time, Rushkoff. Truce or not," he says.

"Alright old man," I say. "Let's see what you got."

He's the first to pull his gun.

Chapter

Forty-Five

Sage

There is no way to tell if I've made it in time. I've no idea what time I have bought myself but every second feels like it's not enough.

Tires squeal into the parking lot and Anton and Freddie hold on for dear life as I come to a slamming stop. I throw my door open and stumble out, ditching the car with the engine still running. Right next to where Dad has done the same.

I burst into the bar with Anton and Freddie in close tow behind me. What I see is a scene out of my worst nightmares but exactly what I expected to find. Dad and Alexei standing at opposites ends of the bar, getting ready to fight to the death.

Dad is the first to draw his weapon.

I scream when Dad gets his gun out. Hands coming up to cover my mouth in horror at what I'm witnessing. Even though I'm standing right nearby, Dad doesn't hesitate. I know he has seen that we're here, but he doesn't show it, eyes not straying from his target. He fires his gun anyway.

Alexei keeps a far cooler head than I can and dives out of the way just in time.

"Really, Dimitri?" Alexei says, scoffing as he stands up and brushes off his pants while he cocks his own gun. "No death promises between us. No limitations on my army coming after yours."

Dad grits his teeth as his nostrils flair. "You arrogant little shit."

Alexei laughs even as he again dives out of the line of fire.

"Dad, stop it!" I beg through the lull of gunfire, covering my ears and trying not to scream. We all finally find ourselves enough to do something, and I run directly through the path of gunfire to Alexei while Anton and Freddie move towards Dad to stop him.

They grab him by one arm each, trying to hold him back. Annoyed, Dad shrugs them off, looking disappointed but not at all surprised to see us.

"You disobeyed an order," Dad says.

"Sage drove away, we had to follow," Anton says, but he gulps as he does, giving away all his guilt. Dad straightens out and aims his gun again. This time Anton and Freddie do nothing to stop him and it's me who is disappointed at how blindly everyone follows orders they know are wrong.

"Sage, you can't be here you need to leave right now," Alexei says, drawing my attention back to him.

I clutch at his arm frantically, not wanting to let go. Knowing that the second I do, Dad will be right there waiting with his gun. "I'm not leaving you here to fight," I say, looking over at where Dad is ignoring the verbal attempts from Anton and Freddie to talk him down.

"You need to get away from me, princess," Alexei says, a hint of panic in his eyes. "It's not safe here. Chet is-"

"I can't-"

Alexei pushes me out of the way and closer towards Isla. They share a look and she grabs me, like she's going to drag me out of here by force and not let me go. But everyone I love is in this room waiting to be hurt unless I do something to stop it.