Page 102 of Dangerous Promises

"And what is that?"

"A line to Chet."

Angie's smile drops. She places her drink down carefully and the bartender comes to refill it but she stops him before he can get too close to the table.

"Why would you want a line to Chet?" She frowns, all amusement and fun gone.

"I need to cut a deal."

"Your brother tried to make a deal with Chet. It didn't go so well for him."

"I'm not my brother."

"And what do you think you have that's going to stop you from sharing his fate?"

I can't answer that question. What I have to offer is exactly the same thing he had to offer. I just have the better chance of pulling it off.

"That's what I thought," Angie says.

"I just need you to get him a message."

At this point I can't tell if Angie looks distressed or intrigued. If it's the former, Chet has made himself a formidable enemy to have even Angie running scared.

"Alright," she says, though her reluctance is clear. "What's so important that you need to pay me to tell him for you?"

"Alexei, please, we can just-" Isla starts, but I stop her with my hand.

"Tell him I have Sage, and I plan to give her to him."

Isla sinks into the chair in disappointment, but says nothing. Angie's eyes actually widen as her face contorts and all the tough facade she puts on falls away as she looks at me like I'm crazy.

Her mouth opens a few times but all she can manage to say in the end is, "Why?"

I once told Sage I would do anything for my brother except give him her. That moment plays in my mind now as I recall everything that's happened to lead me to this moment.

Every near miss, every kiss and every touch. The look on her face and fear in her voice when she told her father that I am nothing but a fling. A wave of hurt rises to sweep me under, but I close my eyes and take back control as I allow my anger towards Sage to take over again.

"I've had enough," I say, letting my eyes go hard so she knows in no uncertain terms that I am not here to fuck around. "I've had enough of Chet hunting me. I've had enough of him attacking my shit. I've had enough of him killing my men."

"Alexei-" Isla tries to pipe in again, but I put my hand on her arm to silence any protests, warning her away with a look. I've had enough feedback. I've started it. I must finish it.

"Everybody knows he doesn't really give a fuck about me. He wants Sage."

Angie watches me carefully, looking between my eyes until she finds whatever confirmation she's looking for.

I think about Sage's face. Picture it in my mind. The way she looked at me today and then discarded me like once this is all over she really could go back to trying to kill me. Before I can let her take me down again or make me think differently about this, I make it happen.

"All he really wants is her. I can deliver it. If he promises to leave me and mine alone."

"Fuck," Angie says. She blows out a breath and runs her hands through her hair. "Well I didn't see that coming. And I usually see everything coming."

"Will you do it or not?"

Angie contemplates for a moment, leaning forward to whisper like she's interfering just to give me personal advice. "Are you sure you want to do this? You know what it means."

"I know."

"This isn't some silly death promise with the two of you, you can never take this back. Chet will k-"