Page 51 of Queen’s Gambit

“That’s my friend. He’s waiting for me.”

The guard nodded.

“Very well, but you should report the incident in the morning,” he said.

“I will.”

The front door closed just as Paul reached me, and the chills took over. Holding out my hand, I could see it quivering like a leaf.

“Yuli, what happened? You look as white as a ghost.”

He touched my shoulder, and it helped ease some of the dread.

“Not here,” I whispered. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, but I’m always hungry,” Paul said, and I gave him a small smile.

Acting as normally as I could, I loaded my tray with food, and we found a seat in the far corner, away from everyone. It was noisy for only fifty or so students, providing the perfect cover.

With my back to the corner, I kept an eye on the door while Paul sat at the end of the table.

“What’s going on, Yuli?”

“I need you to promise you won’t say anything to anyone,” I muttered under my breath as I picked at the pasta on my plate.

“Do you mean from Eddie as well?”

I nodded.

“That’s putting me in a really hard spot, Yuli.”

Grabbing his hand, I squeezed it hard, hoping he understood how serious I was.

“Please, at least not until I figure out what to do.”

“This sounds serious.” His expression was free of all emotion as his eyes searched my face.

“It is. Please, I’m begging you. I have to tell someone and…I trust you.”

Paul took off his glasses, laid them on the table, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Okay, I will keep whatever it is to myself for now.”

Eating a little bit of food to keep my stomach from heaving, I glanced around to make sure no one was listening before I started in on what had happened with Lawrence. Paul’s passive expression quickly morphed into something far more sinister. His nose flared, and his eyes filled with anger. Up until this moment I hadn’t thought Paul capable of such strong emotions.

“Please, Paul. If Eddie finds out...I’m scared of what he’ll do, and if my father finds out, he’ll lock me up for sure. I can’t have either of those things happen,” I said.

“Yuli, I understand your fears, but this is serious. He broke so many rules with that one act. You could have him expelled if you tell Dean Martin.”

“And what if he doesn’t expel him? Can you picture Eddie letting it go?”

Paul sat back and ran a hand through his hair.

“No, I can’t. But this is a powder keg, Yuli. Lawrence is a mouthy asshole. Do you think he’ll keep his mouth shut? He’ll want to rub this in Eddie’s face.”

“I don’t think he will,” I said, shaking my head. “He wants my father’s power, which means he needs me. More specifically, he wants to get me pregnant. I can’t believe this.”

The reality of what had, and had almost happened, settled in my chest.