Page 43 of Queen’s Gambit

He pulled back and touched his forehead to mine. My lips felt sore and swollen but in the best way possible.

“I’m scared of what I’ll do to keep you.”

“I will do anything,” I said, giving his lips a soft kiss. “Anything, Eddie.”

“God, I love you,” he whispered roughly.

“I love you more.”

Eddie’s phone rang, jerking us both out of the intense standoff.

“Hello? Okay, I’ll be right there.”

He hung up and tapped his phone on his leg. Eddie didn’t move and stared into my eyes as if he still had a million things he wanted to say, but then sighed.

“The food is here. I’ll be right back.”

“Wait…how did you get them to deliver all the way out here?”

He smiled and winked.

“I have my ways,” Eddie teased, walking out the door.

After he left, I resumed my earlier pacing. Eddie was my forever, but unlike him, I would play dirty to ensure our life together. I’d learned at a young age that being a woman meant that I needed to be more conniving and cunning than any man. I would let Eddie play his hand for now, but if things didn’t go our way, then all bets were off. I’d meant what I’d said and would do anything to keep him.

Edmundo

“I’ll be back soon, anima mia,” I whispered in Ana’s ear and slipped from the warmth of her arms.

“What time is it?”

“Early. Two in the morning.”

“Where are you going?”

Ana pushed herself up into a sitting position as I pulled on my jeans and a hoodie. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were still half closed with sleep, and she was adorably rumpled. She hated that I thought she looked stunning when she first woke up—like a flower opening its petals and stretching for the sun. She was exquisite.

“I have a meeting. One that may help us achieve our goal,” I said, squatting in front of the bed and placing my hand on her knee.

Our conversation from two weeks earlier was still weighing on me, and I found myself flip-flopping over the right decision multiple times a day.

“Really? Can I come?”

I shook my head. “Not for this one. It could be dangerous and I don’t want to say too much until the deal is complete. It could get our hopes up for nothing.” Her eyes went wide as she bit her lip. “I’ll be fine. Marcus is coming with me.”

“I’m not sure that makes me feel better.” she said, and even though she didn’t mean it as a joke, I smiled.

“Trust me, I’ve got this.”

With a sigh, Ana nodded. “Okay. When will you be back?”

Standing, I kissed her forehead.

“If I’m lucky I’ll get to steal an extra hour with you before your alarm goes off.”

Ana reached out and gripped my fingers. She didn’t have to say the words for me to know that she was worried about me.

“I’ll be safe. I promise.”