Page 103 of Queen’s Gambit

“I wish I could do more. I hope you know that if I really could stop this wedding, I would. Luckily, my bluff about his father worked.”

“I do, and of course it did. You were fierce,” I said, making her blush.

Sighing, she looked down.

“I’ll try one more time, Yuli. But don’t get your hopes up. Your father is exactly like a donkey, a stubborn old ass,” she said, and we all laughed even though I wanted to cry.

I hadn’t heard truer words.

“Do you really think he called Father?”

“That’s a good question. I’m going to go find out because if he did, then he’s going to get an ear full.” Grabbing her towel, my mother stomped away.

With my mood completely ruined, I sat back down. Frida was on my right, and Ella kneeled in front of me.

“Are you okay,” Frida asked, rubbing my back, and I shook my head.

“It’s stupid, but being here, I’ve felt free. I let myself believe that I was safe from Christov in this magical place. But he just proved that it doesn’t matter what I do or where I go. He’s set on making my life a living hell.” I wiped away the tears that were now freely flowing. “It’s a good thing that Eddie didn’t see him, or he’d be shark food.”

Is that such a bad thing? Ella signed, and I snorted.

Frida looked at me expectantly.

“Ella just asked if that was such a bad thing?”

Frida laughed. “Definitely not. I say cut him up small, so they never find a single piece.”

“Wow, I’m never getting on your bad side,” I said, nudging her shoulder with mine.

“I’m serious. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. There is something wrong with that guy.”

“Like I wouldn’t be suspect number one if he and his mistress disappeared from the same resort after they came looking for me?” I shook my head and rubbed the goosebumps on my arms.

“We’ll make sure we’re somewhere very public with lots of witnesses. We all know Edmundo will do it.”

God, it was tempting.

Mom walked back inside with her phone in hand. “Your father gave him the location.”

“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about him stalking you,” Frida offered, but it didn’t feel comforting. I wouldn’t put it past the crazy jerk.

“Why would he do that,” I asked.

“Apparently, he thought you two could connect and find some peace away from home. I informed him that Christov brought his mistress and that he and Christov are both idiots. I also told him to stay out of matchmaking because he was doing a terrible job.” Mom sat down beside Frida. “Men are fools.”

All but one. Eddie was different, and I wasn’t just some lovestruck girl wearing rose colored glasses. He was unique in every way. Frida was right. Eddie would kill Christov if I asked. He’d track him to the plane and kill him. But could I ask him to do that? Could I risk Eddie being caught and charged with murder of a politician’s son and an ally to my father…for me?

The answer to that was simple…no. I needed to fight my own battle and get away from this monster my way.

Besides, killing Christov didn’t guarantee a life with Eddie. In fact, it was less likely now that my father was hemorrhaging money. True to his promise of retribution for Vadin’s betrayal, Eddie had pulled all his deals and had actively blocked him from any alliances in Italy, France, Poland, and the UK. He then poured salt in the wound by making taking all the deals he had with Vadin and gave them to Dimitri. Mother said that he was trying to act unaffected, but she knew better. It was eating him alive. Good was all I could think. It served Vadin right for not seeing the potential in Eddie.

No, I would stick to my current plan and have no one to blame but myself if things went wrong. I could never risk Eddie’s future or his life.

Edmundo

It was our last night here, and as amazing as the week had been, it was nothing more than a blink in time. A mere blip of what I wanted to spend with Ana. Her departure tomorrow weighed on her, and she didn’t have to say a word for me to see it. Her eyes were guarded, she picked at her food, and she’d spoken only two words all dinner. With each passing hour that brought us closer to saying goodbye, she pulled the walls up around her heart.

I reached for her hand, and she jumped like she’d forgotten I was even in the room.