30. Vaughn
Vaughn
HEIRESS PENELOPE TAYLOR ESCAPES CAPTOR—REVEALS PARENTS’ GRIM FATE
In a stunning turn, heiress Penelope Taylor has reportedly escaped from a masked captor and is now cooperating with authorities.
Missing for months, Taylor insists her captor was an unknown individual.
Investigators have confirmed that she believes her parents are dead.
This has only intensified scrutiny surrounding the disappearance of the wealthy Taylor family.
While authorities continue probing possible links to her father's questionable business dealings, officials have yet to confirm whether those activities played any role in the kidnapping.
Was Ms. Taylor targeted… or was she collateral?
The community remains divided over the disturbing case. Some fear a dangerous predator may still be at large in London, while others suspect the situation may be tied to deeper conflicts connected to the elder Taylor’s controversial financial ventures.
Police declined to release further details regarding the identity of the alleged captor or the circumstances of Taylor's escape, stating only that the investigation remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, King Lawrence's interest in the unfolding situation has raised additional questions. Palace officials have yet to comment on the matter.
“I told you, Unavowed. I knew she’d protect The Order.”
A smile tugged at my lips, but I quickly covered it by turning and continuing to pace outside my throne.
“I never had any doubt. It is good to see news of her in the paper. Do we have any leads on where they might be keeping her? She’s been gone over a week. They have to have her settled somewhere by now.”
The Reeve shook his head. “I’m afraid not, Sire, but I have everyone on alert. They’re out looking. Our reach is vast. I’m confident we’ll hear something soon.”
“Vast.” My brow creased. “You’re right. It should be. She might not even be in London anymore. The SLB has connections all over.”
“She’s still here. We have an entire team with software watching the airport and ports. Even in a disguise, she wouldn’t have escaped us.”
“Unless they got her out the first night.”
“We’ve checked the cameras. I’m confident she’s still in the city.”
“Let’s hope so.”
I rolled up the paper, fisting it as I continued back and forth. The mention of King Lawrence still had my blood boiling. Of course he was showing interest. If they suspected I had anything to do with her disappearance, they might tell him. They might ruin everything.
“Sire, I’ve been delaying this, but while I have you, we really must discuss the upcoming auction.”
“I agree. I was looking over inventory just this morning. The menu is smaller than the last three auctions. Is there a reason for that?”
The Reeve took out a small notepad.
“There is. Redmond was meeting with the port captains to verify stock. As far as I know, he settled and locked in prices, which will assure a bigger supply for next auction, but this one will be lacking the usual variety.”
“Unacceptable. I’m not having my first auction suffer because of those greedy bastards. Do what needs to be done. I want this supply to be the best. Crack the whip on those guards and tell them to stop killing and raping the best slaves. If I have to step in, they’re going to regret it.”
He wrote in his notepad. “I’ll take care of it.”
“And I want the ritual before the auction, not after. The spilling of virgin blood is meant to be honored. It is the highlight, not what the hell we have on the menu. I will consort with The Judic, but I believe they will agree. From here on out, our focus is tradition. It’s our brotherhood. It’s not the fucking stock.”
He nodded. “Banding together is exactly what the guard needs right now. Those are wise decisions. Will you be making meals mandatory in the Great Hall for the Masters as suggested before?”
“I think I will. All Masters in attendance at The Order will dine with me for each meal. Let’s make that non-negotiable.”
The Reeve wrote down more.
“About dining. Redmond banned certain dishes from the Great Hall. Will that rule still apply?”
I knew exactly what The Reeve was referring to.
“The foundational rules cannot be changed. I can do nothing about the delicacies they choose to eat. Babies—their slaves. My Masters get what they pay for. If they want to eat that amongst their peers, they may.”
His hand wiggled from scribbling.
“Perfect. Is there anything else? If not, I will contact the scouts to bring in more supply.”
“Nothing. I’ll call if I need you.”
The Reeve bowed, turning and leaving the Throne Room. I turned, facing my throne, not able to look at it without remembering Penelope sitting on my lap as I stared down my guard.
Penelope.
I brought up the paper, scanning the headline again.
I was proud of my future queen. She didn’t break. Deep inside, I knew she wouldn’t, but for her to prove it for everyone to see… it made the love I had for her grow to suffocating heights. She remembered who she belonged to.
Ringing had me pausing and reaching for my phone. A hard thump hit into my chest, just as it always did when my phone rang. Penelope didn’t have my number, but maybe someone had seen or come across her.
“Hello.”
My voice was deeper than I intended.
“Hello. This is Theodore Hart. I’m returning a call concerning a message I received.”
The barrister. It took him long enough.
“That’s right. I’m the one who called you, Mr. Hart. I’d very much like to meet with you concerning a friend I have who might be in trouble.”
“In trouble? Have they been arrested?”
I paused. “Sort of. It’s a little complicated. I hear you’re the best, and that’s exactly what I need.”
“Of course. Can I get some details on what this pertains to?”
“I’m afraid it’s best to speak about it in person. My friend is very important, and I’m willing to pay generously to help them.”
“I see.” Papers flipped in the background. “I’m actually available tomorrow at noon. Are you free for lunch? We can meet somewhere.”
A smile stretched across my face, and I lowered to my throne.
“That works perfectly for me, but not in public. I will have you picked up, if that is alright. Discretion is critical in this case.”
Slight hesitation. “Then I will leave my office and walk down half a block. There is a restaurant on the corner—Carmine’s. You can have me picked up there. I will see you then, Mr…”
“Soon.”
I hung up, not giving him a name. I picked up my phone, dialing my directory.
“Tomorrow, I want a car to pick up Mr. Theodore Hart in front of Carmine’s. He’ll be there at noon. Have him brought to me. Do not let him know where he’s coming. He is not to know nor see where we are.”
“Yes, Unavowed.”
I hung up, standing from my throne. The guards nodded, lowering their heads as I headed for my bedroom inside The Order.
One… I’d never gotten to share with Penelope.
The truth was, I couldn’t go home. Not now that she wasn’t there.
The emptiness inside swallowed me whole.
It left the ache in my chest so unbearable that I couldn’t function.
The Order was safer. Safer from the tears and cries that haunted me that last night.
She wanted me. She loved me. She fucking needed me, and I’d left her.
Great king—horrible man.
When The Reeve told me about Redmond’s death, the only thing I could do was run to restore order. To make sure chaos didn’t break out. I figured I could fix things with Penelope when I returned. Twenty-seven hours later, I pulled up my cameras to see her gone.
GONE.
Had I ever felt true fear before that?
I thought I had when I saw her arms covered in blood.
I thought I had when I witnessed her lying in the bed and feared her dead after the attack from the guards.
Fear wasn’t just losing her to death. At least dead, she wouldn’t hurt anymore. True terror was knowing the woman I loved was out of reach and there was no way I could protect her.
“Sire.”
I nodded to the set of guards who lowered their head at my advance. I walked by them, pausing as I glanced at the door past mine… the queen’s chamber. I didn’t go forward like I wanted. I opened my door feeling sadness build.
She was everywhere, and nowhere.
I couldn’t bear it. I wanted to walk the city again. Drive down every road. I wanted to tear every building apart.
Shutting the door behind me, I took out my phone, staring down at it.
More than anything I wished I could hear her voice.
Even if only long enough for me to apologize for the way I treated her.
How would she ever know? What if she didn’t come back and always thought I didn’t want her?
Or that she assumed I thought she was weak?
What if she chose him?
My lids squeezed shut, trying to force away the pure hatred that came with the thought.
Penelope… the new queen of England. And not my queen? But his…
Harder, I squeezed into my phone, only to toss it on the bed.
He’d do it if he knew I was alive and suspected that I wanted her. And the headlines were what fairytales were made of. King rescues new Queen from an imprisoned life with blacklisted royalty.
I’d never allow them to be together.
Penelope belonged to me.
I’d kill him.
And if it came down to it, I’d kill us both.
I shrugged off the dark gray suit jacket, tugging at the tie and removing it. Buttons popped at my jerk, but I didn’t care as I stripped down. I opened the closet, pulling out a black suit. As I put it on, I couldn’t stop the obsessive thoughts.
I had to find Penelope.
I had to get to her or at least get a message to her.
What did the SLB know?
What information did they want concerning me?
Theodore Hart had no idea what he was walking into.
What I needed not anyone could do… but he could.
And he would. He had the connections. He had access to the different departments.
And I could offer him a life he could only dream of…
or take everything from him if he refused.
I may have not been the true king, but I had connections and power. He was about to find out just how much.