A Deadly Promise: The Promise Series, #2

By C.K. Alber

Terrified after discovering the arsenal of weapons her scarred, veteran husband stockpiled, Alice Sweeney gathers up their baby daughter and flees. With his promise to eradicate her very existence still ringing in her ears, she leaves home and the nightmare her marriage has become, seeking refuge in Colorado with Cassandra, her best childhood friend.  

 

A haunted and grieving Doctor Francesco DeRosa searches for life's meaning after the tragic death of his beloved wife. He has become a shell of his former self, burying unrelenting heartache with work in a desperate attempt to sooth the gaping wound to his heart.  

 

Determined to put the past behind her, a brave and resolute Alice hardens her heart to romance and vows to never succumb to love again. Instead, she concentrates on adapting to her new surroundings and creating a better life for herself and her daughter.  

 

A surprising reunion with Francesco leads to a resurgence of unresolved feelings from their shared past, sweeping them both into an impassioned but forbidden relationship. When the horror of her past finally catches up with her, their budding romance is interrupted by an abduction and a close encounter with death.  

 

Can their love and will to survive overcome the unexpected forces threatening their newfound happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.K. Alber
• Release date: May 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781736283943

Book preview

A Deadly Promise

A novel by

C.K. Alber

A Deadly Promise

Published by C.K. Alber, 2022

Print Edition

Edited by Lori Corsentino

Cover Design ©2022 by Lori Corsentino/Harmony Creative Design

Images:  Conrado, Diego Cervo, Innovated Captures, Stephanie Zieber, Zeferli/Bigstock Photo

Copyright ©2022 by C.K. Alber

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, businesses, institutions, or locales is coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the author’s permission, except in the case of brief quotations or short excerpts embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

The first edition, A Promise of Revenge, is being replaced with this second edition, A Deadly Promise. The basic storyline is intact, but a significant amount of the story has been updated and changed.

Piracy of copyrighted materials is a violation of author’s rights. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Support the arts and literature by purchasing a legitimate copy through authorized distributors. Thank you.

C.K. Alber

Visit my website at www.ckalber.com

Printed in the United States of America

A Deadly Promise/C.K. Alber – 2nd Edition: May, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-7362839-5-0

A Promise of Revenge/C.K. Alber – 1st Edition: June 2018

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Dedication

To me—my family is my everything. I dedicate this book to the girls in my life who have special places in my heart:

McKenzie, Alexandra, Annika, Nina, and Gwen.

Remember this during your sweet lives, dear hearts. Having opinions and a voice matter. But also, be open-minded and understanding. Stand up for not only yourself, but also help those who cannot help themselves. And lastly—be confident that you can help make changes in our world. I love you all to the moon and back.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

Harriet Tubman

Chapter 1

August, 1974 ~ Denver, Colorado

Although it was August, the hottest month in Colorado, Alice Sweeney felt chilled to the bone. Standing by the sliding doors in the third-floor loft of Cassie’s—her best friend’s—home, she faced the Rocky Mountains and blew a heated breath into her palms as she took in the outlying plateau of land. Except for grazing ponies near the barn, the terrain was empty.

Alice ran her fingers through the short boyish haircut she had dyed black. Her other hand rested on her too slim waist.

‘Won’t be your husband Doug who causes your demise,’ Cassie had cried out. ‘Starvation will get you in the end.’

Starvation didn’t stand a chance. She knew Doug would find her, kill her, and whisk their daughter Michelle away. Peering out at the three o’clock sun blazing over the mountain chain, her glance once again encompassed the immediate area. She couldn’t see the gardens to the left or the orchard to the right from this vantage point.

Garden’s safe, but the orchard would be a stalker’s perfect place to hole up. Lethal hands will do me in, she mouthed before turning to acknowledge the squeal of her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter playing on the floor with colorful wooden blocks. Michelle, with her bouncy black curls and crystal blue eyes, was the reason Alice kept going.

She leaned out the entrance door and whistled for Rex, the Golden lab that belonged to Cassie’s son Jonathan. The large dog bounded up the steps and brushed past to drop on a rug in front of the unlit fireplace. Alice slide the bolt shut and lifted a knitted wrap from a hook near the door to cover her chilled shoulders. She picked up the book she’d been reading the day before and dropped into a bright red beanbag. Her head rested back onto a floppy cushion.

Storeee. Michelle interrupted her thoughts.

Her daughter pushed the hardcover from Alice’s hands and hurried over to the bottom shelf of the floor-to-ceiling bookcase to grab a bright orange book. Hurrying back, she fell into her lap, resting black curls against her chest. Blue eyes glittered with excitement as Alice began the story.

Mere moments later Alice pushed away sweaty locks from Michelle’s forehead as she slept. She brought her tiny fingernails, painted pink, to her lips and inhaled the sweet smell of baby lotion. She caressed chubby, rosy cheeks with the back of her finger and then carried Michelle to the Murphy bed, already pulled down from the wall and ready for her nap. After tucking a light blue blanket around her sleeping angel, she slid the doors open for fresh air and then returned to the bean bag and opened her book.

She had started Love Story at Cassie’s suggestion. Put it away twice, swearing off love forever, and then picked it up again, sobbing about Jenny’s illness. Had she ever loved her husband Doug in the way Jenny loved Oliver?

A long, drawn out sigh escaped Anne Algani as she looked yet again at the doorway. Stuck in the children’s section of the downtown Denver library, she fidgeted in her chair when she realized the person walking past was still not her sister Cassie.

She’d been here, waiting, for what seemed like ages. Her own temperament allowed her to be pleasant or sassy, depending on her mood. No matter how hard she tried, Anne couldn’t control the feisty and impatient part of her personality, this time brought on by the lengthy wait.

Hope flared as she finally glimpsed a slim woman with long tresses. It was funny. The guy she’d asked when she came in said Cassie wasn’t here. As with most people, Anne had to describe her sister, given they looked absolutely nothing alike. With fair skin, a slender build, aquamarine eyes, and auburn hair, Cassie favored their mother. Anne favored their Eastern European father with his olive complexion and intense green eyes.

Screams of joy interrupted her thoughts, bringing her back to the present. Cassie’s children, Jonathan and Josie, slid around the corner, almost knocking the pile of books teetering on the table to the floor.

Give Auntie a hug. Anne laughed as Josie and Jonathan bounced around in excitement.

Whew, what an afternoon, Cassie said as she wiped her forehead with a handkerchief.

The heat or the kids?

A little of both. Her sister settled the children on the floor with a pile of books between them. Use your quiet, inside voice, she reminded them.

Cassie sat on the hard wooden chair next to her. So, why’d you want to meet me here? She glanced around. My home would have been easier for the kids.

I didn’t want Alice to hear what I have to say.

Cassie frowned as she put a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned forward.  Her gaze didn’t leave Anne’s.

What’s wrong, Anne?

Well, you know I’m dating a man.

I figured that would happen soon enough. Is he a local?

No, actually he’s a man I knew in Virginia and we hooked up cause he’s here on business.

Alright, go on.

Rumor has it back home—

You mean Arlington?

She nodded. Anne tensed whenever discussing the place where she was born and grew up. The home Cassie forced her to leave after their father died. Anne bristled when Cassie laid her hand on her forearm.

Are you missing your friends?

She shrugged off the hand. Nah, I lost track of most of them and anyway that’s not what I came to discuss. Some people are talking that Doug’s on his way out here.

Cassie’s jumped out of her chair. What?

Josie and Jonathan jerked their attention to Cassie.

It’s okay. Mom just got excited, she whispered.

Yeah. The friend I’m seeing works with him and that’s all Doug talks about.

You mean he’s talking about what he did to Alice?

No, that would get him fired. Says he’s missing her and wants to bring her back home.

Why now? It’s been over two years since Alice came here from Virginia.

He wants his daughter back. Anne cleared the lump that had grown in her throat. He’s got legal paperwork for custody.

Over my dead body.

That’s not all.

Cassie’s chin trembled. She dropped into a soft leather chair, grabbing the armrests as if needing some support. Go on.

Someone in this neighborhood’s asking questions.

Cassie glanced at the door. Here? Why?

Your husband works right around the corner. Someone asked Michael’s receptionist where he lived.

Cassie gasped. She didn’t tell him, did she?

It’s a law office, silly. She wouldn’t give out personal information like that.

How do you know all of this?

Anne’s temper rose at Cassie’s question. I have friends here too, you know.

Of course, you do.

Helps to know people wherever you live. Anne glimpsed Jonathan and Josie. Unless your life’s consumed with brats.

Cassie smiled. Glad I know how much you love them, she teased. Wonder why Michael didn’t mention this to me.

Husbands don’t tell their wives everything. He probably didn’t want to worry you. If Doug hired a private investigator, that person could follow Michael to your country home and find Alice in a jiffy. And that would scare the pants off you.

Cassie glanced toward the door again. What can we do?

Gotta get Alice outta your house.

I don’t want her to take Michelle and go underground again.

Better idea.

And that would be—? Cassie asked.

Francesco’s house.

Cassie gasped and then shook her head. That would never work. They hate each other.

He needs help with the kids since his wife died and Alice needs a place to hide. It makes sense. Someone should say something. They gotta meet in the middle.

Cassie’s finger rested on her chin. I sense you’re leaving that part up to me.

Yeah. I have other things to do.

Studying, by chance?

No, I’m going to make a trip to Arlington to check up on things.

If you’re going to evaluate Doug and his issues, I won’t allow you to do that. He’s dangerous.

I have to go there on business.

Cassie’s eyes widened. You mean the house? Can’t the property manager take care of the paperwork and save you a trip?

Our house, Anne hesitated. I mean my house, needs some work done before I rent it out. I gotta sign the papers in person before any renovations can begin.

Cassie held her gaze. I know you, Anne. You’re going there to spy on Doug.

No, my friend will do that for me.

I don’t know. This sounds complicated and risky. Cassie rested her hand on Anne’s arm. When would you go?

A week or so. Haven’t decided yet.

How do we know Doug won’t head out here in the meantime?

My pal, the one I’m—,

Yeah, I know. The one you’re using.

Right. Well sort of anyway. Anne grinned. He’ll inform me the minute Doug takes leave.

And that should make me feel better?

Jonathan ran up, interrupting their conversation. Josie stayed two steps behind him. Ice cream, he whispered.

Alright, Cassie answered. She rose from the chair and clutched Anne’s hand. After ice cream, let’s go to Francesco’s.

If you insist. He’ll be the tough one to convince.

Maybe not. Alice will never agree to move into his house.

Anne snorted then laughed.

Jonathan put his finger to his lips. Quiet in here, he whispered as he glanced around.

Anne bobbed her head and lowered her voice. Alice secretly loves him, right?

The way she tells the story, it was a high school flirtation for an older man. Very much in the past and long forgotten.

Jonathan pulled at Cassie’s arm, drawing her attention away from Anne.

Come on, mom, he urged.

Cassie laughed. If I were a fairy, I’d wave my wand and—

Make ice cream appear? Jonathan asked.

Josie’s head bobbed. A candy castle too?

You need to use that wand of yours to get both Francesco and Alice to agree to this move-in idea, Anne said.

Cassie put her arm through Anne’s. Let’s get this over with.

Alice’s eyes flew open. She’d fallen asleep once she’d switched off the light. After placing a marker in her book and laying it on the floor, she rose, stretched, and moseyed to the window. The setting sun edged closer toward the western mountain tops.

She glanced at her watch and sipped from the bottle of soda.

Where’s Cassie? It’s almost dinnertime for the kids.

Her gaze went to her sleeping daughter. She bent to pet Rex. The dog stiffened. His ears stood straight. A slight growl erupted. The unexpected reaction caused the bottle to slip out of her hand and fall to the soft rug, spilling much of the contents.

Darn Rex. Don’t scare me like that.

Rex, now on all fours, started toward the window.

Stay, she ordered.

He dropped in place.

Alice moved to look out. A man wearing a dark-colored cap, sunglasses, Hawaiian shirt, and dark trousers shuffled down the lane, carrying a briefcase. He ambled along with ease as though he hadn’t a care in the world.

A tourist out here? She inhaled and let her breath out slowly. And in tennis shoes?

The stranger stopped in the circular drive and inspected the area. Cassie hadn’t mentioned she was expecting a visitor.

The man climbed the front porch steps and disappeared from view. She stretched her neck but couldn’t see him.

A pounding came from the front door. Anyone home? a deep voice hollered from below.

Rex growled. Michelle shifted on the bed in her sleep, edging close to the side.

Hellooo, the voice shouted.

Michelle got to her knees. Mommy?

Go back to sleep, sweetie, Alice whispered, patting her back.

Just need directions, the man yelled.

Rex, very much aware of the intruder, indicated by the rising fur on his back, was frozen in place and awaiting her command.

The man returned to the gravel drive, rested his briefcase on the ground, and raised his hands up in despair.

Shit. Alice drew in a breath. The lane gate is padlocked and too high to climb. How’d he get this far?

She peeked through the curtains. The unexpected visit left her heart beating double time. A warm flush started in her chest and spread outwards, leaving her shaky.

Calm down, at least for Michelle’s sake, she told herself.

Momieee. Michelle lifted her arms to be held.

Alice picked her up and watched until the stranger disappeared down the long lane. She continued watching until Michelle started to fidget.

Let’s build a house, baby.

Alice plucked blocks from the shelves and sat with her daughter putting the little wooden pieces together, distracting herself as she waited until Cassie and her husband Michael returned.

The sun had finally nestled behind the mountains and darkness encompassed the landscape outside. Would the man come back? She shivered as the hair bristled at her neck and goosebumps ran along her arms. After a long play with building blocks, dolls, and Jonathan’s cars Michelle tugged at Alice’s jeans.

I’m hungry. Her daughter announced.

Michelle had to eat. She knotted the wrap tighter around her shoulders, picked her daughter up, and not wanting to turn on the lights just yet, grabbed a flashlight and headed down the stairs to the second floor. She paused at each window. No car lights came down the lane toward the manor.

Where are they?

Cassie and her sister Anne both knew about Alice’s fear of being alone after dark, and darkness had definitely fallen. Blinking fireflies and the shrill sound of chirping crickets did nothing to relieve Alice’s growing anxiety. She was here, alone with her daughter, with no one else around.

She proceeded into the kitchen, dropped the flashlight on the counter where it illuminated the room, and placed Michelle in a booster seat on a chair. Alice then picked up the phone receiver and held it to her ear. The reassuring dial tone calmed her somewhat.

Good. Working.

Rex appeared and sat next to the door, giving her the look. She flipped on the outside flood lights.

It’s just Rex here with us, and he wants out. She chattered at Michelle as she opened the door just wide enough for him. The dog breezed out the crack like the wind.

The stranger’s visit still had her nervous. She returned to the window over the sink. She could see the lane curved from the highway. No lights. But the pine trees, down a mile-long lane, and then straight into the graveled circular drive were out of her viewpoint.

She glanced at the clock.

After nine. Has something’s happened to them?

Alice walked to the screen door and whistled for Rex. If he were here with them, he would let her know if something was amiss. A minute went by with no response. Then, finally movement, but it was only kitty showing for an evening meal. She squinted but couldn’t see anything beyond the bright outside lights.

Something isn’t right, she whispered.

She switched the outside lights off, pulled closed the curtains and drapes, and snatched up the flashlight. She then ran from room to room, checking windows and doors. She lifted Michelle and ran back up the stairs to the second floor. At least from there she could see down the lane. She sat and watched for what seemed like hours.

Nothing.

She returned to the loft. Michelle whimpered at all the jostling. Alice held her snugly against her chest.

It’s alright, sweetheart. She reassured Michelle with words of love as she put her down on one of the plush rugs. Sit here, my love, she said.

Pushing the door closed, Alice leaned against the thick wood to catch her breath. The first-quarter moon outside brought in little light. Inside, a near total blackness engulfed the room.

She scampered over to the windows and slid them closed. She started at the brightness of headlights coming down the lane. Blinded Alice jumped back behind the curtains.

The returning stranger, she mouthed.

Her knees grew weak. Her teeth chattered. Alice watched and waited. The dark ominous car moved slowly toward the rounded drive.

The unfamiliar vehicle stopped. Tension combined with tiredness became too much for Michelle. Alice picked her up and held her as she swayed back and forth, trying to quiet her sobbing daughter. This visitor would see only a darkened house, but he would surely hear Michelle crying. The betraying noise thankfully became muffled as her daughter turned her face into Alice’s chest.

The driver’s door opened but no one emerged.

Oh, no. Alice sucked in her breath.

Finally, a dark form climbed out. The beam of a flash light shone on the front of the house and then shifted upwards to the loft windows, rotating from one side to the other.

Alice barely jumped back in time. She continued to rock and bounce Michelle. The deafening silence was suddenly broken by the ringing of the phone located on the floor below. Alice’s eyes shifted from the door to the menacing car outside. Michelle stiffened as Alice’s tension grew and started to sob uncontrollably, gulping in breaths of air as she cried.

The bright light moved back into the car and then switched off. Nothing moved for what seemed like hours. Alice’s heart pounded and her ears rang as she stood rigid against the wall, sucking in great gulps of air. Her knees wobbled, threatening to give out as she held her daughter close.

He’s here.

Daddy? Michelle questioned with hiccup sobs.

Chapter 2

August ~ Arlington, Virginia

Gray clouds rolled in, bringing with them claps of thunder and lightning flashes. Doug Sanders lifted his face to the pelting rain as he walked through the storm. He refused to run for cover, feeling no need to get away from this magnificent celebration of nature.

He climbed to the second floor of the apartment building, his friend Joe following close behind. Clamping down on his teeth with each step, he thought about his plan. The desire to cause Alice’s demise was so strong that each hour of every day only that thought controlled his mind. That’s what made life bearable right now—killing her and getting his baby girl back.

The wind rose as he turned the knob, blowing the door inwards to slam against the wall. Rain poured in through the open windows, pooling onto the floor. Doug toed his loafers off at the door and plopped a bag of groceries and two-six packs of beer on the table. He walked into the kitchen and with both hands, sluiced rain from his dripping black curls into the sink. After drying his hands on a dishtowel, he tossed it to Joe.

Clean up that water under the windows. He then slid out a cigarette from the half-empty pack on the counter, lit it, and puffed with fury, flaring the end to a fiery orange.

Damn I hate this apartment.

Joe caught the towel and bounded across the room, closed the two open windows, and mopped up the mess.

Go on, Doug said as he studied the glow. What happened next?

I heard crying noises.

A kid?

More like a baby. Joe lifted a bottle from the pack, removed the lid, and sucked foam off the top.

From inside?

I figured it was coming from the third floor.

So, what’d you do?

Nothing. I watched. I listened.

That’s it? 

It got quiet and you know how I hate that. Joe wiped the neck of the bottle on his shirt and tipped it to drink.

Doug rolled his eyes. And then?

I left.

He cocked his head. Did you go back to your motel?

Yep, and I waited until dark. Didn’t want anyone to get suspicious.

And?

Returned with my rent-a-car but heard only a screaming baby again. Third floor.

Doug’s narrowed his eyes toward Joe. He lifted his hands in question.

Next day, I crept back to the edge of the yard. A couple of kids and a dog spotted me. Dog came after me, so I high-tailed it out of there. He swigged his beer. Wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Ah, that hits the spot.

Shit Joe. Don’t leave me hangin’.

And here I am. That’s it.

Doug rinsed and dried his hands over the sink before taking two long steps back to the table. He hit the vinyl top with the flat of his hand. Dammit, he swore.

Joe scrubbed his blond crew cut with his right hand. You told me not to get too close.

Taking in his Army buddy’s frayed set of green fatigues, golden cosmetic tan, and calculating dark green eyes, he remembered why he’d given that warning.

You didn’t wear this getup I hope. That gear would have caught anyone’s attention.

Nah. In the daylight, I went as a tropical sightseer.

Doug laughed, cracked his knuckles, and punched Joe’s arm.

So, what’s next, boss? Joe lit a cigarette and clenched it between perfect white teeth.

Not sure.

You gonna bring her back?

The kid?

Talkin’ ‘bout your wife.

Doug clamped his teeth together, tensing his jaw. A bang of thunder brought his attention to the window over the sink. He glanced at