Page 48 of Queen’s Gambit

“And you still kept your hand on the table? You really are a crazy motherfucker,” Marcus grumbled.

“Maybe I am.” I looked in the rearview mirror at Paul. “You’re quiet. Are you good?”

“Yeah, all good other than pissing myself,” he said, making us laugh and breaking the last of the nervous tension.

I’d really done it. This deal was massive and important. It would put me on the map.

Thirty minutes later, we arrived back at Wayward. I pulled out my phone as the guys opened their doors.

“Go ahead, I need to make a call. Thanks for coming with me,” I said.

“Anytime. You know we’ve got your back,” Marcus said.

“What he said,” Paul seconded and then hopped out, leaving me alone in the darkened cab.

My gut was telling me it was time. Hitting Vadin’s number, my palms began to sweat.

“Privyet,” Vadin said.

“Mr. Mikhailov, sir, it’s Edmundo.”

“Edmundo? Do we have a meeting scheduled?”

“No, sir,” I said, wiping my hands on my jeans. “I wanted to inform you of the deal I just made. I hope you’ll enjoy hearing about it as much as I enjoyed making it.”

“You’ve piqued my interest, but I have a meeting in ten minutes, so you’ll need to be quick.”

“Then I’ll tell you in five.”

Taking a deep breath, I stared up at the dorm entrance and pictured Ana lying in bed, waiting for me to return, as I laid out what I’d done and why.

“So let me make sure I understand this. You don’t want any commission for bringing me this business?”

“No, I don’t.”

“We all want something in this world, so tell me what you want.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tried to keep my voice even.

“I’d like to look at a more permanent merger between our two families.”

“You want to marry Yulianna?” He sounded shocked.

“Yes, I want to be included on the list. I’m sure you have many options and need to weigh them carefully, which I appreciate and understand. I’ll continue to make major deals in the coming year that will give me an incredible stronghold in Italy and beyond. The arrangements will be extremely beneficial to the growth of your business in new markets.”

Vadin was silent on the other end of the call, and the only sound was his breathing.

“Tell me, Edmundo, and I’ll know if you’re lying to me. Have you had sex with my daughter?”

“No, sir, I have not. I wouldn’t disrespect you or Yulianna in such a manner. I have been looking out for her as you asked. But we’ve known one another a long time, our families have prospered together, and I have grown fond of Yulianna.” It was important not to let him know just how much I was in love with her. “I am simply asking for consideration, not a confirmation, at least not yet. I would like to prove my loyalty and worth.”

“Alright, Edmundo, I believe you, and you’ve given me a lot to think about. I’ll consider it if you continue to be an asset. We will talk again closer to Yulianna’s eighteenth birthday and see what you’ve accomplished.”

My heart hammered in my chest with excitement. It wasn’t a done deal, but it was a massive step in the right direction.

“Thank you, Mr. Mikhailov. I don’t take your trust in me lightly.”

We hung up, and I couldn’t contain my joy any longer as I pumped my fist into the night sky. It wasn’t a done deal, but it was a start. My foot was in the door and now all I had to do was kick it open.