Page 91 of Forgotten Sacrifice

“Of course I do!”

Vince flashes a mischievous grin.

“I swear to God if you don’t tell me?—”

“You’re getting a chess club in AC.”

“What?” I gasp, grabbing onto his wrist.

“Fuck the Chess Hall. I’ve got the financial backer, and your club is going to be bigger and better.”

I squeal again, but stop myself from hugging him. “Really?”

Vince nods. “It’s in the works as we speak. All the club needs is a name. I’ll let you do the honors.”

“A name.” I consider for a moment. “Madhouse Chess Club.”

“What does that mean?” Vince asks.

“One of the most famous grandmasters in history, Bobby Fischer, was a complete misogynist. He’s quoted saying that women shouldn’t be allowed in chess clubs; that the club would become a ‘madhouse.’ It will be a big middle finger to him, and current players who feel the same way.”

“Like Brit Boy?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

His lips curve into a devious smile. “Madhouse Chess Club it is.”

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Luna

“This is crazy!” I yell in Vince’s ear as men on bikes zoom dangerously close to us on one side, vendors barking at us from the other.

“Bellachaos.Stay close!” He takes my hand, leading me through a sea of people.

“Bella ragazza, you needcurniciello!” An old man holds up a red horn charm strung on ribbon. “Bring you good luck.”

I pause, jerking Vince to a stop. “Before you say no such thing, what could it hurt?” I turn to the vendor. “How much?”

He shakes his head, pointing to Vince. “He buy it and gift to you, or no magic.”

“You heard the man,” I tell Vince.

“Love being hustled right out of the gate,” he mutters. Switching over to Italian, he and the man have a back and forth before Vince hands over some Euros.

“Your overpriced souvenir,” Vince says, handing me the charm.

“My good luck charm,” I correct him. “Glass half full or half empty depends entirely on you,” I throw his words at him.

“Love the dime-store philosophy.” It’s his turn to throw my words back at me.

“Taught by the best dime-store philosopher in all of Jersey,” I say.

Vince shakes his head with a laugh, pulling me along.

We make our way through the city until we reach a beautiful urban oasis of a park. My heart nearly skips a beat when I spot the Grandmaster seated at a chess table by himself.