Page 90 of Queen’s Gambit

I looked him up and down before locking eyes with the lowlife once more.

“What my father sees in you, I’ll never understand. Edmundo is a thousand times the man you’ll ever be. And if you insist on marrying me, I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that the world knows what a spineless piece of shit you really are.”

“You bitch.”

Crack.

The pain from the slap was instant. My palette and brush flew across the room as I hit the floor. The heavy boots of my guards were all I could see through the tears that sprang to my eyes.

“Get off of me,” Christov growled as they dragged him toward the door.

“Make sure he remembers not to hit a woman on his way out,” I ordered.

“With pleasure,” Vlad and Mylo said.

Pushing the hair out of my eyes, I smiled and wiggled my fingers at Christov before I started to laugh. Oh, he was predictable, that was for sure. Point for me.

I was just pushing myself up as Vlad ran back into the room.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you for the quick garbage removal,” I said as he helped me stand.

“You’re welcome. I didn’t even want to let him in. He has a mean streak. I’ve known many men like him, and if you keep pushing, he’s going to snap and do worse than smack you,” he said as I touched my cheek.

“I know, but I need to stand my ground.”

“You want him to kill you?”

“Oh, he’s already planning that. I want him to show his true self. Maybe then, and only then, my father will see who he’s tied me to. Make sure my father’s guards casually hear about Christov mistreating me today. Maybe one of them that has his ear.”

“I will, but that’s risky, Yuli,” he said, real concern shining in his eyes.

“I know,” I said, patting Vlad’s arm. “Even if it doesn’t work, at least I tried, and I’ll move on to my next plan and then the plan after that until…well, lets just say that I’ll be free one way or another.”

He gave me a small smile and shook his head.

“You’re quite the woman, Yuli. I’ll go get you some ice for your cheek.”

“Thanks, Vlad. Can you please shut the door on your way out?”

I waited until it closed before I picked up my phone and called Paul. It rang three times before he answered. Loud music was playing in the background, but I could tell he was walking away as the noise began to fade.

“Yuli. Hey, sorry about that.”

“It’s fine. I assume you’re at the reception?”

“I am, but it’s good to hear your voice,” he said, making me smile.

We’d become close at Wayward, and our friendship had continued even after I left.

“Don’t try to change the topic with flattery. Just give it to me straight. How was the wedding,” I asked, hating the thought of Eddie standing at an altar with anyone but me.

“Honestly?”

“Honestly.”

“It should’ve been you. They looked like stiff cake figurines.” That image made me smile. “And this may be my own bias, but you would’ve made a far more exquisite bride.”