Page 136 of Queen’s Gambit

I had no idea how he found out, but he was never touching Lilya. The sound that came out of me could only be described as a mother’s protective roar.

He wanted to hurt me…fine, but no one threatened Lilya, not now, not ever. Even though I knew I shouldn’t, and warning bells were going off in my head, it didn’t stop me from raising the gun he hadn’t noticed.

“You’re not going to shoot me. You’re too weak,” he slurred, and without another thought, I squeezed the trigger.

Christov released my hand as his went to his stomach. He stumbled back and landed in his chair, staring at the wound. He looked up at me in disbelief.

“Fuck you, Christov. No one threatens my baby girl and lives. My only regret is that I didn’t do this four years ago.”

“You won’t get away with this. I’ll kill you and everyone you love,” he said.

He groaned and fell off the chair when I shot him a second time.

“Maybe you didn’t hear me the first time. Fuck you.”

I limped as fast as I could out of the office and up the stairs like the devil was nipping at my heels. We had to get out of here before the guards returned and found….

Oh my god, what did I just do? I killed Christov. Oh no, oh no, oh no.

The Crash

“Ana, the most important thing is that you two get out of that car alive. Everything else…we’ll figure out, no matter what. I will always, always love you, Ana. You and Lilya are my heart and soul. But crying won’t do either of you any good. Pull yourself together and get the hell out of there. Right now.”

“But Eddie, what if I never see you again?”

“We will. Now go, Ana. Hang the fuck up and go. Stay alive, and I promise we’ll be together one day.”

“I will always love you, Eddie.”

“And I love you, anima mia. Now go!”

Tossing the phone, I tried to get Lilya’s window open, but it wouldn’t budge. Shit. Getting up on my knees, I reached for her seatbelt.

“Mommy, I’m scared.”

“I know, baby,” I said, fighting the jammed buckle.

The cracks on the passenger window were spreading and adding to my panic. Screaming, I jerked on the stupid strap.

“Let go!”

Lilya began to cry harder. The fear was finally too much for her. She clutched the bunny to her face as tears poured down mine. There was a flash of lights through the snow, and I heard the roar of snowmobiles as they pulled up.

The compromised window gave in like someone had punched a hole through it, and the icy water flowed into the car.

“Unlock the doors,” Vlad yelled.

I hit the button, but it didn’t click and I bit my lip.

“They won’t unlock.”

“Okay, try opening your windows.”

Vlad was on the bank with some soldiers. I hit the buttons, but nothing happened.

“Nothing, they’re all dead,” I yelled back.

“Cover Lilya’s head, I’m going to try and break the window.”