21. Penelope
Penelope
I used to like the silence. I felt comfortable there. Safe, even.
I didn’t feel safe right now. I hadn’t for days. How could I when I didn’t recognize the man beside me? He wasn’t the same, and that was my fault.
“Don’t talk. Don’t remove the blindfold. You hear nothing. You say nothing.”
Anger. It coated every word that left Vaughn’s mouth.
Had I known pulling back after the best night of my life would have caused this cold, silent treatment from him, I might have handled the situation better.
How was I to know that telling him it might have been a mistake would trigger such a furious response?
He said we could stop. He seemed to understand.
Who was I kidding. I shouldn’t have used the word mistake.
I hadn’t meant it. Well… maybe I did. I was confused, and I hated that I didn’t know what to do.
I had to leave—I had to stop feeling things for him.
I almost—I could have—I wanted him just as much as he wanted me, and I was in trouble.
I was ready to give in to all these fears just to have him—give in to a life that was certain to hold impending doom.
The cold stone beneath my feet penetrated my very bones. Goosebumps tightened my skin, and screams sounded in the distance. The wail sent the hair on my arms standing on end. It had Vaughn holding to me tighter.
“You shouldn’t be here yet. I hate that I even had to bring you. Damn Redmond for getting us into this mess.”
There was strain mixing with the rage in his voice.
We turned a corner and more sounds registered in the distance.
People were talking. There was laughter and music.
My brow creased, and Vaughn’s fingers flexed.
We came to a stop as he cursed under his breath.
Footsteps approached. The closer they got, the tighter he held.
“It isn’t every day I seem to catch you down here.”
“Lord Summerlyn. What a pleasant surprise. Perhaps you should come around more often.”
He laughed, lowering his voice.
“I would if I had the time, trust me. Is the auction still set for next Friday?”
“It sure is.”
“Perfect. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I hope you’re at this one.” A pause. “Speaking of which, look what we have here. That body is perfection. Will this one be in the line-up?”
Vaughn pulled me in closer. “This one is mine.”
“Damn. You wouldn’t be willing—”
“No.”
The threat was clear.
“Right. Have fun. I have a meeting coming up. I’m going to be late if I don’t head out. See you at the auction.”
“I’ll be there.”
I nearly fell as Vaughn took off at a fast pace. I was practically running having to keep up as he dragged me behind.
“Lord Summerlyn comes here? You mentioned Lord Oxley the other night, too. Are you telling me there’s—”
“Shh, Penelope. What did I say?”
I bit down hard, trying to hold in the shock and anger that Lords would be at a place like this.
We went down further, stopping. Creaking immediately sounded to a door, and I was turned again as the barrier shut behind us. The blindfold was pulled off. I blinked, trying to bring the dim room into focus.
“Vaughn.” Redmond’s voice was full of surprise as he stood from an oak desk. Books decorated the walls, and there was a bar set up not much further down. “What are you doing here? You didn’t call to tell me you were coming.”
“I didn’t have time. I got a call not half an hour ago.
One of the members from The Collective High Council is in the city.
He’s coming to meet with me over our situation, plus other things.
” Vaughn ran his fingers through his hair.
“We have a lot to discuss. I’m not sure how long it will take.
” His eyes darted to me, and I saw his worry as his gaze jumped down to my forearms. “I need her watched and protected.”
“You want me to babysit—”
“Protect. Do I need to remind you why you still breathe?”
Redmond’s jaw flexed. “No. But in a few hours, I have my own meeting with a few captains from the port. You know how short they’re in town. I can’t miss it. If you’re not back by then, she can stay in here. I can put two guards at the door. She’ll be safe.”
Vaughn’s head went to shake but stopped as he turned to me. For a long moment he stayed quiet—clearly not sure what to do.
“Penelope, I’ll make it as quick as I can. It will still take a few hours.”
“Okay.”
Tentative eyes searched mine. “You’re going to sit here and be good. Don’t give Redmond a hard time, and you don’t leave this room. Not for anything. It is dangerous out there. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.”
“Penelope, I’m serious.”
“I’ll stay.”
Apprehension had him hesitating before he nodded.
“I’ll be back. Be good.” He headed for the door, stopping to turn back to Redmond as he grabbed the knob. “I didn’t get a chance to feed her dinner.”
“I’ll have her some food brought down.”
Vaughn’s gaze came back to me, and I saw how hard it was for him to open the door.
“They’ll make you whatever you want. I’ll try to hurry.”
“I’ll be fine. Go ahead.”
Vaughn stood straighter, nodding as he jerked open the door and disappeared. When it closed, Redmond let out a sound, shifting in his chair as his eyes went back to the paperwork in front of him.
“How’s your back?”
He kept his head down, writing something on the paper. “Hurts like hell. I hear you had your own bandages not too long ago.”
My arms wrapped around my waist, and I trailed my fingers over the wounds that were healing.
“Metal cuffs. I’m fine now.”
He glanced towards me but went back to the papers. There was a chair in the far corner with a blanket folded on the back of it. I bit my bottom lip as my mind raced.
“May I find a book to read over on that chair?”
Still, he didn’t look up.
“Go ahead. Any idea what you want to eat?”
“What’s good here?”
He did look up then. A smile began to appear but disappeared almost just as fast. He seemed to rethink something before he twisted his mouth.
“Steak.”
“I’ll have one of those then.”
“Sides?”
“I’m not picky.”
He nodded, picking up his phone.
I turned to the books, running my finger along leather spines. None of the titles were familiar, nor did any sound appealing. It wasn’t until I was three shelves down that I smiled, pulling the book free.
“You have Little Women.”
“What?”
Redmond’s neck craned as he looked towards me, holding up the book.
“Little Women.”
His head shook, confused.
“I didn’t put that there. Must have been Vaughn’s father. Maybe it’s his mother’s. Most of these belong to his line.”
My lips separated, and I looked down to the book I was holding.
“This is his father’s room, then?”
“Not anymore. His father was murdered when Vaughn was six.”
“Oh.” My voice was so soft that I barely heard it. “What about his mother? Is she still alive?”
Silence. A good minute passed before Redmond looked up.
“It is not my place to tell you anything. If Vaughn wants you to know, you’ll know.”
My shoulders sagged, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Please. I won’t say anything. I’m just curious.”
“And I’m already almost dead. No way.”
“I won’t ask any more questions, and I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the time. I promise. Can you at least tell me if his mother is alive?”
“No.”
“No, you can’t, or no, she’s not alive?”
He threw me a hard look, placing his forearms on the desk.
“Come on. Please. I’m trying so hard to understand. I want to be able to… accept this—accept him. It’s just all such a mystery. I’ve known Vaughn for months now. Time is not helping me adjust.”
“How about this? No to both. There. No.”
I smiled but felt it melt. “So, she’s dead, too.” Sadness had me looking down at the book. “Poor Vaughn. Was it before or after—”
“Absolutely not. That’s a story you won’t get from me. That comes from Vaughn. I can’t believe I thought you might actually be quiet.”
“Do you at least know if she—would she… come here?”
“I don’t know.”
My lips pursed. “How long have you been here?”
“You are relentless. I know what you’re trying to do.”
“What?” I shrugged. “You won’t tell me. You can’t be upset that I’m trying to figure out who the man is who says he’s keeping me whether I want it or not. I think I deserve to know what I’m getting forced into.”
“And you will know when he tells you himself.” He paused. “It is odd he hasn’t told you. Have you asked him?”
“A few times. He says he’ll tell me more when he’s ready.
Ready for what, I don’t know. I mean… I’m here.
He’s not crazy like I thought. There’s clearly another world to our own just like he said.
And bad people I need to be cautious of…
” I gestured to Redmond, who rolled his eyes.
“I hate waiting. I guess he’ll just tell me when he’s ready. ”
“He will.”
A knock at the door had Redmond standing. I placed down the book, half expecting my food. I was starving. What I saw instead had me standing.
“High Master, I’m afraid we have a problem.”
A man in a navy uniform was at the door with what appeared to be two others. He had white upside-down crowns embroidered on the tips of his collar. He had brown hair and appeared to be in his forties. He was taller than the other guards, but not by much.
“What sort of problem?”
“It’s the heir.”
“What heir?” Redmond snapped, only to groan. “Of House Hamilton.”
“That’s the one.”
“I swear, I may end up killing that kid before it’s over with. What did he do this time?”
“It’s what he won’t do, High Master. I’m afraid you’re going to have to come talk him down. If he kills another of my guards—”
Redmond’s hand lifted. “Alright.” He turned to me. “Your food will be here soon. Stay.” He pointed to someone. “Keep post at the door. Her food is on the way. She’s not to leave.”
Who he was talking to, I had no idea. I couldn’t see. He shut the door so fast, I couldn’t even tell what direction they were headed.