Page 52 of Dangerous Promises

"You're all good at killing," I say, and they start to nod, until they realize I'm saying it as a bad thing. "You're good at shooting first, asking questions later. None of you are good at manipulating anyone," I say.

"That is true," Isla agrees, a small smile on her face as she flicks her ponytail. "At least one of us is, though."

Suspicious accusatory glances turn to her, until she waves them off. "Ugh," she scoffs. "Not me."

Her eyes flick to mine, quickly followed by Alexei, then Freddie, then Anton. Almost in the order of who is most likely to believe I am capable of something shocking.

"It's you," Alexei says, a hint of bitterness that lacks surprise in his tone.

"Her?" Anton says, at the same time that Freddie says, "Why are we looking at you,bella?"

"Everything she did last year," Alexei says, waving his hand as if he expects them to already know. He picks up a rogue stick and starts drawing patterns into the ground with it, completelyoblivious to the bombshell he's dropping. I cringe. "She has to take at least some, if not all, of the responsibility for getting us in this position."

His words are sharp now, and they slice exactly as intended. Reminding me of the pain that brought everyone here and how much of it is because of me.

"What thefuckare you talking about?" Anton exclaims, glaring at Alexei before turning enraged eyes on me. Isla pats a hand on Alexei's leg, seeming to warn him.

Alexei's eyes lighten, his smirk turning into a full on grin as he drops the stick and takes in the expressions around the group. "Oh, this is brilliant. You didn't tell them what you did, did you, princess?"

Anton's face snaps back to mine. "What did you do?"

Freddie watches with a curious expression.

"You didn't think Dimitri really wrote that marriage document did you, Anton?" Alexei says, spreading his legs and leaning forward between them like he's very much enjoying this indeed.

"Of course not," Anton says. Suspicious eyes come back to me.

Fuck. I had hoped Alexei had forgotten that I'd bragged to Victor about setting them up. Then I wouldn't ever have to tell my uncle this part of what I'd done. Besides, what were the odds that we'd socialize enough for Alexei to out me? Other than Victor, he was the only one there to witness my confession.

"Your precious princess here wrote that contract, Anton," Alexei says, a gleeful smile fixed in place.

I take a deep inhale on a sigh, as we all wait for Alexei to finish the blow, though he doesn't. Only pausing like he wants to enjoy this moment for as long as the world will allow it.

Isla doesn't seem like she can take it, hesitating as she awkwardly fills in the silence. "Yes, she… wrote the contract andsent it to you and Victor?" Her words tell me she thinks this is information Anton already knows.

Alexei flinches at his brother's name.

"Youwhat?!" Anton yells.

"Anton-" I start, throat clogging. I definitely should've had this conversation in private. Only now, when I have to explain myself, do I regret not saying something sooner.

"What did youdo?" Anton yells again.

"Oh, come on," I say, raising my voice too. "You weren't good at hiding anything from me. Neither was Dad. I knew about the attacks on the estate the whole time. I knew someone was after me and I wanted to draw them out. I suspected it was Victor. So I'd planned to bring him to me so I could find proof and then take him out."

"Fucking hell," Isla says, leaning back with a laugh.

Anton stands in rage but keeps his tone calm when he says. "Your father," he hesitates. "Diedfor this, Sage."

"I know that," I say, running my hand over my face in shame. "He wasn't meant to get hurt."

"Bella, maybe this isn't-" Freddie starts, placing a hand on Anton's shoulder to try and calm him.

"It is," I say, pushing Freddie away and squaring my shoulders.

"Speak. Quickly," Anton says, gritting his teeth.

"Angie was supposed to come that night. To take Dad, so that I had an excuse to send the marriage contract. She was supposed to keep him safe. But instead, I accidentally let Victor in, thinking it was her. By then, the plan was already set, so I went ahead with it. I... sent the contract anyway."