Page 121 of Dangerous Promises

I struggle against the restraints, tightening my fists and pulling with everything I have to break the ropes, but they don't budge. I know he's only pointing her out like a target because he knows it will get a reaction out of me. But knowing doesn't stop me from proving his point and reacting, anyway.

"One of you has to die," Chet says. "That's what you promised isn't it? I don't see you two doing much fighting to the death."

He goes closer to Sage with the knife and my breath hitches, but he only uses it to lift her chin and force her to stand. "You promised me a death, little Sage," he says, taking her hand and gently placing the knife into it.

My eyes widen as Sage looks at me in horror.

A wide, evil grin spreads across my uncle's face. "Kill him for me."

Chapter

Fifty-Two

Sage

The first thing I do with the knife is use it to try and cut Chet's throat. I tighten my fist around the handle and grit my teeth as I swing it in a wide arc towards his neck. His hand slaps against my wrist with a steady grip as he grabs me and leans back, missing my hit and stopping me before I can do any damage.

"I knew you'd try it," Chet says, pulling me close as he wraps the knife in my hand, squeezing to the point of pain before giving me a warning look and turning his back to me to walk away.

"I'm not going to kill him for you, you fucking psycho," I say.

Chet jumps up to sit on the bar. "This is only the beginning. You will see the plans I have for you. Starting with this. And before we are out of this bar, you will use that knife on him."

I cock my arm back and throw the knife, but Chet dodges, moving his head out the way and instead catching the knife in his hand. He angrily jumps off the bar top and storms backtowards me, grabbing me as he slams the handle back into my hand and resumes his position on the bar.

"Try again," he says, looking like his patience is wearing thin.

I look down at the knife in my hand, honestly considering how many times I can launch it at Chet before he tires of this and takes away my control. Though I know losing control is not the smart thing to do. I did make a promise to kill Alexei Rushkoff. But not like this. I always considered that Alexei might get the better of me and be the one to end my life instead. I never considered that I would fall to the point I would willingly let him. That he would become someone that I would run into the line of gunfire for.

So there really is only one thing that I can do. It's with that knowledge that I make my decision.

I lift the knife and hold it against my throat.

The whole room takes in a collective breath, including Chet who jumps off the bar, stopping himself short of approaching me and tensing as if I'm a wild animal.

"Sage, what are you doing?" Alexei very carefully says, his voice trembling and slow.

"Sage, be reasonable," I hear Anton's voice from behind me but I don't turn to look at him.

I'm locked in Chet's gaze as I hold the blade to my throat and narrow my eyes. Even as there's a struggle I don't look away. The sound of smacking flesh and footsteps are loud behind me. Freddie breaks free of his hold and rushes towards me on unsteady feet. To help me or stop me, who's to be sure.

All I know is he doesn't make it.

He gets close. Almost close enough to grab my hand. But Chet pulls out a gun and fires, huffing in annoyance as the shot goes off and goes sailing into Freddie's stomach. I scream as Freddie clutches at his wound, dropping to his knees in front of me.

Instinct takes over and I drop the knife, arms reaching out for Freddie but quickly being snatched back and held hostage by one of Chet's men. The room gets louder as Dad, Anton and Isla all shout and struggle, even though they can do nothing to help.

In one click of Chet's fingers, guns are pointed at Dad and Anton's heads. I look over to find that Isla now has a gun to her head too.

Chet stalks towards me and rips the knife up from the ground, placing it in my hand once again.

"I'm growing tired of this. This is your last chance, little Sage," Chet says. "Do you want your whole family to die today? Or are you going to follow through with your promise to my nephew?"

Chet takes a few steps away, folding his arms to watch me more closely this time.

Tears form in my eyes as I stare down at the glint off the blade, sobbing over this impossible choice.

"I can't," I whisper, the world going blurry with heartbreak.