Page 130 of Queen’s Gambit

Their shadows moved, and their voices got less distinct.

Sucking in a deep breath, I walked back into my room. Lilya was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. She had fat tears rolling down her cheeks but didn’t make a sound. Picking Lilya up, I sat on the bed with her on my lap.

“Mommy, why is Daddy so angry?”

I was so torn. We were long past the stage of not turning Lilya on Christov, but did I want to be that mother? In the end, all that mattered was her safety.

“Baby, there’s something I need to tell you. Christov is….” She blinked at me, her eyes so wise beyond her years, and yet she was still a four-year-old child. “He’s not mad at you. He was mad at Auntie Alina for trying to hurt you.”

“But everyone was saying bad things.”

“I know baby girl. Sometimes, adults say really mean things to one another when they’re angry. But I promise that I’m not angry with you, and neither is Eddie. He’s still really excited to see you soon.” Her face lit up at Eddie’s name.

“Mommy?”

“Yes?”

“What’s a whore?”

I snorted, not expecting that. Smoothing back her hair, I leaned in and kissed her forehead.

“That is a grown-up word, and when you’re old enough, I’ll tell you what it means. Why don’t you eat your snack and get some rest?”

Nodding, Lilya took her snack and went into her room to play. I closed my eyes as I thought about how to get us out of this.

As soon as Lilya was tucked into bed and sound asleep, I looked up at the hidden camera and began signing what I’d overheard. Vlad and Mylo had learned sign language for emergencies, and I knew they would be watching.

Six Hours Later

There was a soft tap on the door before it unlocked and opened. I stood from the bed, careful not to wake Lilya. One of the housemaids slipped inside. I recognized her, but we’d rarely spoken.

She held a tray of food, and I watched as she closed the door and walked across the room to place it down.

“Ma’am, I’m so sorry for the way you’ve been treated.”

She stood there awkwardly, twisting the front of the maid’s outfit and licking her lips. She glanced at the door before wiggling her fingers like she wanted me to come closer. Her remorse seemed genuine, but at the moment, I didn’t trust anyone.

“I’m Vlad’s girlfriend,” she said, and my eyebrows shot up.

I didn’t know he had one, let alone that she was in the same house. Good for him. I walked closer, and she whispered.

“My name is Kira, and I’m going to help get you out of here.”

Kira lifted the first large silver dome on the tray. It was filled with food, most were Lilya’s favorites, and despite all the other emotions, appreciation for this act of kindness filled me with joy.

“Thank you, this is very sweet,” I said, touching her shoulder. A light blush dusted her cheeks. She was very pretty and seemed genuinely sweet. I could see why Vlad had fallen for her.

Kira lifted the second dome, and instead of dessert, there was a gun with a silencer. She quickly covered it again.

“The guards are lazy here. They’ve never had to worry about anything. No one is even manning your door. They go for lunch together during shift change, which is around eleven. They won’t be back for a couple of hours. If you’re going to make a move, that’s when you should do it.”

I nodded and she grabbed my hand, putting a metal key into it. I knew it had to be for my door.

“What about Sabastian? I don’t want him involved. He’s an innocent child.”

Kira nibbled her bottom lip. “Alina’s mother comes to pick him up every Wednesday for a visit, but that only gives you a day to plan this out.”

“I’ll make it work, thank you.”