Page 76 of Dangerous Promises

Now I'm older. Not particularly wiser, but with better life experience, I have to wonder why. It's clear now that Chet has always been obsessed with Sage. But why? Why so much so that he would kidnap her from her father, and cut pieces of her skin off to torture her?

I can feel the answer locked somewhere away inside a memory in my mind.

My heart sinks, overwhelmed by sadness, because I can't just ask. I could have asked before. Victor probably knew. No, Victordefinitely knew. He was older. He would have remembered better than I do. And more than that, I can only imagine it was one of the many things he was keeping from me before his death.

"Alexei?"

I lift my head to see Isla watching me. "I know silence is fine for a while. But at some point we need Anton's word. Both of our families are sitting ducks against Chet."

My jaw tightens. "Not Anton's word. We need Dimitri's."

Chapter

Thirty-One

Sage

Ihear their voices as I come around the corner of the house. I've been looking for Anton, Freddie and Dad for almost an hour now. That's the downside of having such a big house. We spread out, and then it takes forever to track down who you're looking for.

I find them on the porch. Dad is sitting on the outdoor lounge next to Freddie, wheelchair faithfully nearby, while Anton stands. I pause to watch them, something odd about what I'm seeing. For two years I've begged for this moment, to see Dad again and be able to make it right. Now though, I know he doesn't know this new version of me and I wonder if he can even stand this new version of Anton.

My uncle's voice is the strongest among the three, talking business with Freddie while Dad watches on curiously. It's like an appraisal, and from the addled glances Anton levels at my Dad, I suspect he knows that's exactly what it is.

I'm jolted back to the present when the home nurse shuffles between them all, breaking up the awkward staring contest. She sets a cup of pills down in front of Dad, his hand quickly coming out to bat her away. She swiftly scurries off, almost like she's already afraid of him. A small smile graces my lips. I can't help but find that kind of funny. I never exactly had my Dad wrapped around my finger, but I never saw him the terrifying way everyone else seems to.

I join them, my light white dress falling gently across my legs as I sit down in the armchair next to Dad. "You've gotta take those pills, Dad," I say, picking them up and pushing them towards him.

"Hush,anima mia," Dad says, batting me away as well.

"I'm not scared of you like that nurse obviously is. Now stop being a grumpy old man and take your pills." I grab his glass of water and shove it in his face along with the little cup of pills again.

"When did you get so forceful?" Dad says, but he does take the glass and take his pills.

"Has she not always been forceful?" Anton contemplates.

"Brat is the word you're looking for," Freddie says, smiling. I smile too, but resist the urge to clip him upside the head.

I suppose that's an accurate description.

"So," Freddie says, clearing his throat. He shifts in his seat, stopping and starting like he's trying to gain the courage to speak. When he does he addresses Anton, even as his eyes shift to Dad for approval. "The ugh, the ugh, Rushkoffs have asked for backup-"

"Stop!" Dad says, his voice booming as he raises his hand to halt the conversation.

Freddie and Anton comply, but not like they weren't expecting this reaction.

Their eyes slowly turn to me.

It takes me a second to work out that Dad is actually staring atmeand not them.

"What?" I spit, annoyed and defensive.

"Sage," Dad says, tilting his head towards the house. "Shouldn't you have other things to do?"

"No...?"

Dad huffs. "This talk isn't for your ears. You shouldn't be hearing things like this."

Freddie raises his eyebrow, sharing a look with me. One that says, I've seen, and planned, much worse than Dad could imagine. But he doesn't know that right now.