Page 101 of Forgotten Sacrifice

I bristle. “I see the board fine.”

Aldo drops me off at Vince’s house, and I use my key, entering the kitchen through the garage. “There’s my little Grandmaster,” Vince says, working behind the stove. “I made your favorite: pizza Margarita and salad with ranch. For dessert, I’ve prepared a chocolatesemifreddo, topped with a cherry compote and whip cream.”

There’s a bundle of yellow roses on the table, and I grab them, flinging them in the trash. “We’re not friends, Vince!”

I storm to my room and hang up a fitted sheet over the door. Not as good as slamming the door, but it’s the best I can do.

I fall to the floor, hugging my knees. Vince has laid so many chess traps, but I refuse to be dumb enough to fall for any of them.

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

Luna

“Luna, breakfast,” Vince calls.

I enter the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and spoon, along with the bland and nowexpiredcereal.

“Piccola, I’m sorry,” he says softly.

Ignoring both the man and the delicious smells filling the kitchen, I open the fridge and grab the milk, closing it with my hip.

“What do you want me to do here, Luna? I can’t go back and change it,” Vince implores.

I silently pour the milk, topping it with cereal.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Feeding myself.”

“You pour the milk in the bowl before you pour in the cereal?” he says incredulously. “So much I have to teach you.”

“You’ve taught me all I need to know about your world. My coach suspects Wesley Morrell is cheating, but becauseyou mademecheat, my hands are tied. If I bring it up and there’s an inquiry, I could go down with him.”

“You never cheated,” Vince argues.

“You think anyone would believe that? I was wearing a cheating device; under the rules, that’s enough!”

He rubs the back of his neck. “What can I do to fix this?”

I lift my chin. “Let me go.”

Vince shakes his head. “You know I can’t do that.”

I grab my bowl and spoon, storming to my doorless room.

“How long will the silent treatment last?” Vince asks as we pull out of the garage.

I answer by putting on my headphones and staring out the window.

We arrive at the library, where my coaching sessions are being held until Madhouse Chess Club opens. “I have some business to take care of this morning. I’ll be back later this afternoon.” Vince holds open my car door open for me.

“Whatever.”

He smiles. “Got a word.”

I brush past him, entering the library. Waiting until he pulls off, I exit and meet up with my Uber driver.