Page 128 of Queen’s Gambit

Y: Will do. Thank you, Vlad, for everything.

V: This isn’t over, Yuli.

Y: You’re right. It’s not.

I bit my lip and debated about whether it was safe to reach out to Eddie. Taking the chance, I blocked my number so I’d show up as an unknown caller if Christov had Eddie’s phone.

Y: Plan B

Not daring to say more, I turned off my phone just as we pulled into the driveway.

“We’re not going to see Eddie,” Lilya asked, her voice so soft that it broke my heart.

“No, sweetie, not right now,” I said, holding her a little tighter.

“But I want to go.”

“I know you do. So do I, but it’ll have to wait.”

“Okay,” she said.

Her eyes were sad as she hugged her stuffed bunny to her chest. The last time we’d seen Eddie, he gave it to her as a gift and it had quickly become her favorite. She wouldn’t go anywhere without him. I knew exactly how she felt, but it wasn’t the comfort of a small stuffed animal that I needed.

The men jumped out and reached back in to grab Lilya.

“Don’t touch her, or I’ll break your fingers,” I snarled at them. “We’re getting out.”

Lilya wrapped her arms around my neck and hung on so tight that I could hardly breathe. But there was no way I was telling her to loosen her grip. The men escorted us into the house. Alina stood in the foyer looking about as happy to see me as a snarling possum.

I ignored her furious expression as we marched up the stairs to my room.

“Get in there,” one of the men said, giving us a little shove.

They slammed the door and I heard the click of the lock from the outside. A moment later, they did the same with Lilya’s door.

“Assholes,” I muttered under breath.

“Mommy, why are you shaking,” Lilya asked, touching my cheek with the ear of her stuffed animal. “Mr. Bunny makes me feel better when I’m scared,” she said, running the velvety softness up and down my cheek.

My eyes filled with tears.

“I failed you,” I said, and she tilted her head like she was examining my expression.

Lilya was far too smart for her age, and that worried me. No child should have to worry about abuse, but my fear extended beyond that. There was no telling what Christov and Alina had planned, and she would remember it all.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t cry, Mommy.” Lilya kissed my cheek. “Let Mr. Bunny make it all better. Eddie says he has magic powers.”

I closed my eyes and hugged my sweet daughter.

We were standing in that same spot when the door was suddenly unlocked and thrown open. Christov marched in, and even though I never wanted to back away from him, I did now. He held out his hand.

“Give me your phone.”

I pointed to my purse on the bed.

“It’s in there, get it yourself.”