Page 76 of Queen’s Gambit

“Almost all of them,” Frida said, smiling with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “How do you think I’ve learned all the best gossip?”

“Devious woman, I love it.”

We slipped into the shadowy hallway that was only a little wider than my shoulders. How on earth did the staff drag laundry and carry trays of food through these?

I was completely lost when a noise caught my attention, and I tugged on Frida’s hand.

“Do you hear that,” I asked, keeping my voice softer than a whisper.

We craned our necks as we listened, and sure enough, there were two faint voices.

“Where are we?”

“Near your father’s art exhibit.”

“No one is allowed to be in this end of the house.”

“There is a fork in the passage up ahead.” Frida pointed.

Gripping my hand tighter, she picked up her pace and I was glad that I thought to remove my heels.

We stopped and listened again when we reached the intersection. I pointed to the left, and Frida nodded. We quickly scurried along until the voices were less muffled.

Frida stopped and put a finger over her lips as she slid a small flap to the side, producing a peephole. Raising up on my toes and peeking into the room, I wanted to growl as soon as I spotted Christov. I didn’t know the woman with him but assumed it was Alina.

“I think that’s Alina,” Frida whispered, seconding my suspicions.

The conniving witch was wearing one of the catering outfits. She’d been here the entire time.

Alina was in his arms as tears ran down her cheeks. I knew how she felt. It seemed like none of us wanted this arranged marriage. So why did Christov agree and push so hard? If he married Alina, I would be free. Was the addition of my father’s wealth really worth this much pain, anger, and sadness? That was a stupid question. Of course, it was. That was all anyone ever wanted from me except Eddie.

“I don’t know if I can wait that long,” Alina said.

“I can’t kill her right away. We’ve been over this,” Christov said.

My mouth dropped open, and Frida gasped. Thankfully, they didn’t seem to hear us.

“You promise to get rid of her so we can be together?”

“Yes, my love. We’ll be together no matter what.”

She ran her hand down the front of his suit jacket.

“I just need to wait until my inheritance is signed over, and that won’t happen until my father dies. We need to be patient. He’s old, and it’s unlikely he’ll live another twenty years. If he goes too long, I’ll speed up his untimely demise. Besides, as of now, Mr. Mikhailov is fronting my new business, but he won’t if his daughter is found in a ditch the day after our wedding. It may take some time, but I’ll make it happen,” Christov said soothingly to Alina, like he was comforting her about losing a puppy, not killing someone. That someone being me.

They smiled at one another, making me sick to my stomach. Money…it was always money. Why did it corrupt people into the worst versions of themselves? How much was my death worth? One million? Ten million? One billion?

I shouldn’t be surprised. I’d seen something dark in Christov at the dinner months ago and again tonight.

“God, I love you in this sexy little outfit,” Christov said, licking his lips.

Yuck.

“I thought you’d like it. You were brilliant sneaking me in with the caterers,” Alina said, lifting her skirt.

Thankfully, she had her back to us because it was easy to guess that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

“I want you,” Alina said and kneeled before Christov.