Page 40 of Dangerous Promises

The others even empty theirs before Alexei can even touch his.

My belly rumbles and I frown. Weird. I clutch my stomach as it continues to gurgle at me.

I focus on Alexei, becoming more grumpy and frustrated with every second that he remains the only person at the table to not touch their fucking glass!

My stomach rumbles again, twisting like the contents are about to spill out of me. I cover my mouth with my hand.

I just ate…

Out of nowhere it feels like I'm about to throw up and faint all at once. My forehead is sweating and my skin has paled. When did that happen?

I'm trying hard to keep my breakfast in my belly, but Alexei's hand reaching for his glass has me completely captivated. Just as his fingers touch the glass, Alexei looks at me with a smirk. He lifts the glass to take a sip and my breathing stops. I feel like I'm dying, trying not to fall out of my chair, and I can't look away.

He watches me with satisfaction as he swirls the glass between his fingers, letting the liquid slosh over the edge. When he lifts it to his lips my heart does stop.

Drink it. Drink it.Drink it!

His eyes flick down to the glass with a frown at the same time that my stomach curls and realization washes over me as well.

We have both tried to poison each other.

The only difference is, I've taken whatever it is he's given me.

Alexei sighs deeply, excusing himself without taking a sip. His chair scrapes when he stands, startling the others. He comes storming over to me, still holding the glass but dumping the contents in a planter box on his way. I stand up on shaky legs in anticipation of confronting him.

Weird though because I'm so dizzy that there's four of him standing before me.

"Poison? Really?"

"You can fucking talk," I say, my voice croaking and wincing as I try to stay upright.

"As if I would ever touch anything you served me," Alexei grunts.

"Can't blame me for thinking you're stupid enough to try it," I say, gritting my teeth.

"So you did try it?" he huffs. "You are so fucking-"

"It only would've taken one little sip," I say, struggling on my feet, sweating harder by the second. "And this would be done but of course-"

"What's that?" he says, folding his arms and acting like he can't hear me. "You seem faint. Were you stupid enough to take things that were left out unattended?"

"You're such a fucking cu-" I can't tell if I stop speaking because he cuts me off or because of the flash before my eyes as I struggle to stay conscious.

"At least what I gave you isn't going to kill you! You fucking idiot," he says. "Your family is right there watching us. You were going to give me something that would kill me in one drop?" His arms flail wildly.

"I am dying," I say, as sweats beads and my vision goes blurry. Against my better judgment I grasp his bicep to help me stay upright. He scoffs at the contact, but doesn't swat me away.

"You're so dramatic. It's a small overdose of your medication. You might vomit but you'll be fine."

"You're too pussy to try to kill me?"

"You're not supposed to be doing this," he argues back, his face going hot as he holds his temper in so my uncle can't hear us. "You're impossible."

"Every time you're here I'll keep fucking trying it, mark my-," I say. I want to say mark my words, but I throw up in my mouth a little bit.

"I thought you were dying?" he says, getting up in my face. "Apparently you won't be around long enough to try again."

"I'll pass out any second now! Can't you see how much I'm sweating!"