Page 107 of Dangerous Promises

"Beating us at all is a problem," I say. "It's precious seconds for Dad to do something else stupid and for us to lose everything."

Freddie and Anton go silent, sharing an almost imperceptible judgmental look between them.

"Interesting way of putting it," Anton comments.

I cringe internally, trying my best to steel my heavy beating heart.

"I'm not interested in seeing anyone else die," I say, rushing to explain myself as I feel the crushing weight of the last love I lost. "Except Chet. Happy for him to be killed." I add that last part on the end and earn myself a chuckle from Freddie.

"Don't stress,anima mia," Uncle Anton says. "Dimitri doesn't have much of a head start. I doubt he'll run in shooting on Angie's turf."

At that moment Anton's phone rings. He purses his lips and then answers. "Dimitri, brother, listen-"

I go to open my mouth and shout but Freddie removes one hand from the wheel to slap it over my lips even though he still expertly weaves through the traffic.

"I don't condone it but yes I knew... Dimitri stop," Anton says.

I can barely hear the vibrato of Dad's voice through the phone where Anton refuses to put it on speaker. He continues talking as I struggle to wrestle the phone from his ear and put it on speaker. He bats me away but eventually gives in, clicking the speaker phone button himself and shaking his head at me.

"Tell Freddie to stop chasing me or I'll consider it a direct violation of orders from both of you!" I hear Dad say.

"Afraid we can't do that, Dim," Anton says. "Despite what you think you know you don't have all the information."

"I've enough to know I've been lied to by all of you."

"Brother-"

"I swear to God, little brother, if you come in there and try to stop me you will all regret it. You have forgotten rank. You're not the top of this food chain and you don't make the orders. Turn the car around. Now!"

Dad hangs up and even though Anton has more to say, he sighs as he pockets his phone. Freddie's speed slows off considerably with Anton's sigh and I start to panic.

"What? Why are we slowing down?"

They ignore me.

"What you wanna do, Anton?" Freddie asks, as if I'm not even in the car and a part of this equation.

"Didn't you hear him? I'm not in charge," Anton says with a disbelieving chuckle.

Freddie stays silent. Assuming because he can't argue with that logic. Thing is, if Anton isn't in charge then I'm certainly not.

I look to the door handle, considering opening it and rolling out of the car right here. I'll be closer to stopping Dad if I get out now rather than allow them to turn the car around.

Freddie slows his speed again, but doesn't turn around just yet while he waits for Anton to make a decision. I see my uncle's resolve begin to fade and I know that while he hasn't opened hismouth to make a decision yet, he will soon. And he's going to make the wrong one.

So I don't give him the chance.

I make one instead.

"Freddie, stop the car."

"Bella-"

"I said stop," I say.

Freddie abruptly stops the car, tires screeching as we veer off the road and come to a violent stop on the side of the road. This feels exactly as it should, and I've a singular focus on my goal. It feels exactly like it did before. Only this time I'm not going to lose anyone.

Anton raises his brow to see what it is I'm going to do. I get out and round the drivers side, ripping Freddie's door open. "Get out of the car, Freddie."