Page 72 of Queen’s Gambit

“He has a girlfriend named Alina, but his parents refuse to acknowledge her. Despite that, they are very intimate if you catch my drift,” Frida whispered, looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. A couple of the servers walked by, but then we were alone again.

None of this made any sense, and an unease that I couldn’t name was poking at me.

“He acted like some jealous boyfriend out there but a lot meaner. He ordered me not to embarrass him. For what?”

“He’s a man with an ego. Christov clearly doesn’t like Eddie, and the two of you were dancing for like twenty minutes before he cut in. This ball gives him an excuse to be around you and keeps Eddie from retaliating. Or...it could just be little dick, big prick energy,” Frida said, making me laugh.

“Do you know any more about Alina? Is she from a prominent family?”

“I don’t think so. The rumor is that she’s a prostitute and that’s why his family won’t acknowledge her.”

I laughed at Frida’s flippant remark. That couldn’t be true…could it?

“Hey, are you okay,” Eddie asked, stepping up behind me.

My entire body relaxed now that he was with me.

“I am now. That was weird with Christov,” I said.

“It just got a whole lot stranger. Lawrence and his father are here,” Eddie said.

My mouth dropped open, and I was sure steam was streaming from my ears like a cartoon character.

“Are you kidding me?”

He shook his head. “Any idea why your father would invite that scum here on your birthday of all days?”

I shook my head but then remembered my father acting strange upstairs. Was this what he was hiding? Was he doing business with the Collier family and didn’t want to tell me? He never cared about letting me in on his business dealings before.

“Eddie, I don’t understand any of this. Something is off.”

“Agreed. We need to speak to your father and find out what’s going on,” Eddie said, just as the music cut out and my father clinked a glass.

“What’s he up to,” Frida asked.

I had no idea, but something was off. This wasn’t what we’d discussed for the announcement of mine and Eddie’s engagement.

“Yulianna, please join me.”

The whole ballroom clapped as they turned to look at me. I glanced around at all the smiling faces and then up at Eddie. He was smiling and clapping, but his eyes held the same curiosity that filled me.

Although my father was never one to shy away from being the center of attention, this was strange. Holding my head high, I nodded to those congratulating me as I passed. My father waited on the raised dais, lording over his kingdom.

As I climbed the steps I caught sight of my mother. Her angry face and tear-filled eyes put me on alert. My body tensed when she walked into the crowd and disappeared.

“You really do look lovely tonight, my daughter,” Father said, but I eyed him suspiciously.

Now standing above the crowd, I noticed Christov and Lawrence together. My stomach rolled as the memory of Lawrence’s hands pinning me to the wall came racing back. Why would he be here? Seeing his smirking and smug face reminded me that my father didn’t care about my feelings. Business was business among snakes.

“Thank you,” I said.

“It wasn’t my intention to announce this tonight, but it seemed fitting to make the evening a larger celebration.”

Father picked up my hand and stared at me, but I couldn’t read his expression. He was guarded, and I would’ve said nervous, but my father didn’t get nervous.

“It comes as no surprise that there have been many offers for Yulianna’s hand in marriage, but one man stood out among the crowd.”

Butterflies danced around inside of me, and my nervousness turned to excitement as I gazed at Eddie. He stood out just like my father said he did. He oozed power and confidence. The corner of his mouth lifted, and it was the sexiest smile I’d ever seen. I had no idea why Father was doing the announcement early, but the sooner everyone knew about me and Eddie the better.