Page 36 of Dangerous Promises

I almost consider giving in out of pity, but since I'm trying to lay low until this plays out I decide it's better to play dumb. "I wouldn't do that."

"We're not stupid,bella," Freddie says. "I know an empty explosives packet when I see one."

"Well I don't," I say, maintaining the cover story.

"This is from Angie," Freddie states matter of fact. "Just tell us where you put it."

Never.

I shrug. "I honestly don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh my God," Anton sighs. "Freddie, for the love of God, please go and find that thing before they do."

"Who?" I ask gently, knowing that they mean the Rushkoffs, but I can't help the little smirk that kicks up the side of my mouth.

"Well you have your father's poker face," Freddie mumbles under his breath as he picks up the package and walks away, heading out in search of the explosive.

When it's just Anton and I alone, I kind of assume we're done here. Freddie will either find it in time or he won't, and we'll all get to see this fun little mystery play out in front of us.

"May I go?"

"No," Anton immediately responds, voice tense. I sigh, doing my best to wait patiently and not roll my eyes while he decides how long this is going to go on for.

"Sage tell me you didn't buy an explosive from Angie," Anton says, resting his arms on the desk and steepling his fingers.

"I didn't."

"So you didn't buy this from her?" he asks, raising his brow.

"No."

"And you didn't plant it somewhere to try and harm Alexei?"

"I did not plant it somewhere to try and harm Alexei," I announce proudly.

Both Anton and I jump as a loud bang sounds from somewhere in the distance. Smoke fills the air outside the windows, where a fire starts to burn near the front gates.

Anton swivels in his chair to look, his jaw dropping in pure shock while I cringe, holding my eyes shut. I open one eye, only to find Anton staring at me with malice.

"So you have no idea what that is then?"

I shake my head innocently. But I have a good idea what it might be.

I'd hazard a guess that it's Alexei Rushkoff's car exploding.

Anton sends me to my room for the rest of the day. Yes, like a child I am sent to my room as punishment and have been warned not to come out. The longer I'm left here the more disappointed I feel. If my silly little car bomb had even injured Alexei, my family would've been here to rip my head off already. But they haven't done that. So I have to conclude he's still alive and I am in a world of trouble.

Unable to sleep I jump out of a bed in a huff and go to the window. The moon lights the paths around the estate but I see nothing out of the ordinary. Just the quiet of the night since the fire from my bomb has long since died down.

I haven't seen anyone come or go from the estate. Not even a single Rushkoff.

What the fuck are they all doing while I'm locked up here?

I feel breath against my skin before I can react.

A hand slams onto my neck from behind and forces me to look out the window. I grimace at the pain.

"Proud of yourself, princess?" Alexei says, fiery rage in his tone. When I don't answer, he grips my neck tighter, as if demanding an explanation. He pushes my face right up against the glass.