Page 124 of Dangerous Promises

If Dad was ever going to agree to work with the Rushkoffs, he needed something bigger than just Chet to fight against. If Alexei was ever going to put everything he had into killing Chet, he needed something to fight for.

The only thing that will bring them together isme.

I am stiff and catatonic in my acceptance as they push me into the backseat of the car. My forehead beads with sweat as Chet slides into the seat next to me. Even though this is exactly what I planned when I sent Alexei away to make a deal, I gulp in regret. Wishing that I had been smart enough to think of something more clever than this.

Now, I only have solace in the fact that we stopped it. Whatever he had planned. Maybe I played into it. But backup is here now and there is a fighting chance. Nobody else has to die today. Dad. Anton. Isla. Freddie.... Alexei.

My heart stings.

Maybe now they will have time to get him help.

"Glad to see you've finally accepted your fate," Chet says, pleased with my stillness. "Still, can't give away everything can we?" Chet moves agile like a cat as he places a needle in my arm and I gasp, sinking as everything goes black.

Chapter

Fifty-Four

Alexei

Ilift my head just in time to see Chet take Sage.

My ears ring as the sounds of fighting surround me, weak enough that I'm considered as good as dead and left mostly out of it. I hiss at the sting of where the knife still protrudes from my gut.

Sage screams and I can only watch, struggling against my restraints, as Chet drags her into the back rooms. I know if we lose sight of her for real then she is gone forever. If Chet takes her, we will never find her again. I cannot let that happen.

Our backup has arrived at possibly the best or the worst time. I will make that assessment later. Early enough to save our lives, but late enough to lose Sage?

Moments later, Isla is freed, and she screams as she runs for me, patting down my face to try and keep me awake as she makes it to me.

"Isla, stop," I grunt. "She left the knife in, I'll be fine. Just fucking untie me."

Isla sighs in relief and does as I ask, going to my restraints to free me. There's enough of us here now that we look like we actually stand a chance against the number of people Chet has. Our people know well enough how to work together and it looks like we're getting the upper hand, finally starting to win a fucking fight. Proving that we were right to join forces, as against us both Chet doesn't stand a chance.

While Isla unties me I fight the urge to tell her how fucking slow she is being.

Dimitri and Anton are all freed now, too and someone helps Freddie up off the floor. He makes an impressive comeback into the fight as he nurses his gunshot wound. They must have lost sight of where Sage disappeared with Chet because while they look panicked and grief stricken, none of them seem to know where he took her.

As soon as my arms and legs are free, adrenaline takes over and I push up, likely shouldering Isla out of the way in the process as I run towards the back exit. My wound drips blood lazily in a trail, stinging and pulling as the knife writhes with my pace. People block my path with their own battles but I push them aside. Jumping over two people fighting on the ground and violently shoving aside anyone who gets in my fucking way. I don't stop to look at the chaos I leave behind me, there is only one goal that matters.

"Sergei, gun!" I say, and he throws me a gun which I catch as I keep running. Feeling validated in learning his name and working better with my men than my brother ever could have.

I cock the gun and kick down the door to Angie's office.

By the time I push my way inside it is completely ransacked, and my heart drops when I see the back door wide open.

I make it outside just in time to see Sage being loaded into a car. I raise my gun and fire blindly at them. The bullets piercethe air with a bang, smashing the back windshield and ripping off their side mirror.

The door slams shut as Chet joins Sage and the car engine makes a roar to life.

I haven't done enough.

My chest pounds as the tires burn rubber in an attempt to hurriedly speed away. I run for the car, I can't let it get away. Once Sage goes, she's gone for good. I will never see her again. Once that car drives away, Sage is as good as dead. At least, she's going to wish she was.

The car squeals through the parking lot and I fire, bullets puncturing the rear tire and sending the car on a spin. Veering out of control, it comes to a violent stop in front of me.

I don't get a chance to act before the car starts again, shooting forward and barreling desperately towards me.

I dive out of the way with only a second to spare, crouching as I continue to fire even while the wheels clatter and it heads back for the road.