Page 24 of Dangerous Promises

"I already know what I have to do," I say, gritting my teeth on a growl. "That's why I'm so fucking angry."

She gives me a strange look and raises her brow.

I take a deep breath and one more shot of vodka for good measure. The next part is going to hurt. I'll be lucky if I get through it without making everything worse.

"Get your fucking coat. We've got a spoiled little princess to visit."

Chapter

Nine

Sage

“Come now,bella, you'll have to run faster than that if you're going to take down a Rushkoff," Freddie says, teasing me from where he sprints ahead. Even as he slows down and runs backwards to smirk at me, I can't keep up with him.

I've got pretty good stamina from the past few years. Between the running away and the chasing after Alexei, I've got a good sprint on me. It's still nothing compared to Freddie, who smiles as he turns back around and runs effortlessly ahead of me while I try to pretend I'm not out of breath.

On the bright side, it's a beautiful day for a run. The sun is shining, the air is warm, roses bloom in all the gardens and you can barely even notice any damage from the attack. I guess we're getting good at cleaning that up.

I mumble my next sentence, and even I can't make it out so I stop to catch my breath. Freddie doesn't. Instead, he jogs inplace alongside me as I rest my hands on my knees and try to repeat myself clearer this time.

"I don't need to be a fast runner to take down a Rushkoff."

"Well, so far you've been doing a lot of running away," Freddie says, smiling without missing a beat. "Just want to make sure you're match fit."

He chuckles, and because he is smart, he starts running as I gasp and chase after him to slap him.

I swear I nearly have him, fingers brushing against his shirt, when the front gates open and a limo starts coming up the drive. I stop in my tracks, especially when I see Anton come out the house in his best suit.

He fidgets with his cuffs and adjusts his tie as the limo does a round in the driveway and stops in front of him. I narrow my eyes as Freddie keeps up a jog, trying to lead me down a different path that goes away from the front gates.

I pause, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand.

Even from far away I know those oxford-toed shoes the second they step out of the limo and crunch on the gravel. I know the dark silk shirt and fitted dress pants. The tattoos that go from the fingertips and only stop at the neck.

I know exactly who that is before I even get the chance to breathe.

What the actualfuckis Alexei Rushkoff doing on my fucking property being greeted by my uncle?

"Bella," Freddie insists, trying to get in front of me and cringing as he notices I've stopped following him to fixate on this exchange instead.

Alexei locks eyes with me from a distance. He seeks me out like a laser, always able to spot me from wherever I happen to be. Alexei smiles wickedly at me, white teeth shining as he gives me that smug as fuck look on his dumb face.

It's like the air gets knocked out of my lungs.

Another constant between us.

I huff, starting off at a run that is this time too quick for Freddie to keep up.

"Sage!" Freddie yells, diving for me. I only have one target in my sights, though, and Freddie calling out behind me is a warning that ceases to exist.

Alexei pauses, his face showing his interest in what I might do next. I launch myself at him, leaping forward in attack, only to be held back at the waist. Freddie tightens his grip on me as I struggle.

"Get off me!" I screech. "You can't interfere."

"I can't interfere with him," Freddie says, holding me tighter as I flail my legs off the ground. "I'm on your side. I can hold you back all I like."

"For fuck's sake," I groan, continuing to struggle in Freddie's arms and getting more and more agitated as Alexei just laughs at me. Isla is here, too, cringing as she gives me a sheepish wave.