37. Vaughn
Vaughn
The moment Theodore left the building, I was ready, following him as he went back to his office.
I didn’t get out to bombard him with questions.
I wanted to. It was killing me to sit still.
Instead, I waited in my car, making sure no one was following or trailing him.
After the half hour, he returned to his fancy, little sports car, driving the four blocks to the parking garage for The Order.
The glow from my headlights cut through the dimness, and I pulled in next to his car, not even letting him walk the few feet over to me before I was asking questions.
“Did you see her? Did you get to talk to her?”
Theodore nodded, his face hard and distracted as he stayed quiet.
“And…? What the hell happened?”
Green eyes jumped up to mine. “I kissed her. … And she kissed me back. A second time.”
Shock lasted only a moment before I was rearing back, slamming my fist into his mouth. Theodore flew back from the force, stumbling and crashing into his car.
“You kissed my queen?”
“I didn’t have a choice. They were on to us. Shit.”
I pulled him up, smashing my fist into his face again.
Theodore let out a loud groan, not even trying to defend himself as I jerked him back upright.
Rage was roaring through me but also… understanding.
I hated it, and there was nothing I could do about the war waging inside me.
Despondency—Despair. How could one feel like they couldn’t go on another minute, and yet know they didn’t have a choice?
“You made your point to them. If you ever kiss her again, I will kill you—”
“I won’t.”
“Well?” I shook as I tried to get control. “What happened after that?”
“Fuck.” He wiped the blood running down from his nose.
“We agreed to meet Mondays/Wednesdays/and Fridays at four.” At the hope that hit, Theo shook his head killing it instantly.
“I saw the look on the lead security guy’s face.
There’s no way in hell they’re letting me back in that building.
I’m going to try, but I don’t see it happening.
I’m sorry. I tried everything I could think of.
I knew you were going to be pissed, and I was right.
Shit. I think you chipped a tooth.” He let out a groan as he winced and spit out blood.
“I should be burying my blade in you. I’m not sure if I want to do that or hit you again. Start walking before I think too hard on it.”
“It was the only way.”
My teeth ground into each other as I started following him. “She kissed you back? A second time?”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t like what you think. It was for you. Definitely not for me. It was in the way we were talking. She said she missed you/me very much. The pain. There was so much in her eyes. It was all for you.”
Aching took over my chest as possessiveness fought with love. For seconds I couldn’t speak. My head shook as I opened the door. When I opened the next door, the guards were waiting. We headed straight as I led us to my study.
“Did she tell you what this mystery thing was that she was referring to?”
“Art History.”
“What?”
“She was an Art History major. She emphasized the history. She’s going to start meeting with society there at the building so she can ‘get to know them’. I told her it wasn’t a good idea—”
“She’s not.”
“I told her. She said that if she was going to take her place in society, she must know people.”
“This is about me.” I cursed. “She wants information, and she’s going to try to get it through them. I shouldn’t have told her of my search for evidence.”
“Unavowed.”
My eyes cut over. “Yeah?”
“She said she’s doing okay. Marian is taking good care of her.
She’s working at their company, filing papers.
Her and Marian eat dinner at the restaurant at the very top of the building every night.
I don’t think she wants you to worry. You will, and I don’t blame you, but let’s give her the benefit of the doubt.
She’s safe in that building, that’s for sure, and… Penelope…”
He paused, letting me open the door to my study.
We headed inside, and he grabbed a handful of tissue from my desk, collapsing to the chair and making himself at home in the leather.
Blood was drying on his face and staining the top of his shirt.
As he stuffed tissue into his nose, I could see him get lost in thought.
“Penelope is strong. I have no doubt about that. And she’s wicked smart. She played that room like a fiddle. She’s up to something. It might pay off to see what it is.”
“Or it might kill her. She’s safe but from whom?
The ones keeping her there may be the very ones who try to take her out.
I don’t know their motives yet. I know they’re interested in me, but not which way their political affiliation leans.
It could be good or bad. Neither of us will know until it’s too late. ”
I jerked my chair out from the desk, collapsing into it. The weight of the world was sitting on my chest, and all I wanted was my future queen. From the way things were going, I had no idea when that might be.
“Did she say anything else? Is she going to call me?”
“She said she’d try. Honestly.” His head lifted, and he sat up higher on the chair.
“I’m not sure she should. Or will. I’ve been in the game a long time.
I can read people.” He paused, his eyes staying glazed through memories.
“There’s a determination in Penelope that I think we might be underestimating.
She has something in her head, and I’m not so sure she’s going to jeopardize that.
She may be young, but she seems to know what is at stake.
” Again, he got quiet through his thoughts.
“Then again, she’s very good with words, so she may be able to pull off talking on the phone.
I’ll continue to try to see her, but I think we should back off if it doesn’t work out.
Let her see what she can uncover. You may be surprised. ”
I didn’t want to back off. I wanted her here, with me.
But Theo was right, whether I wanted to admit it or not. It would be stupid for Penelope to call. There was no doubt someone was tracking her calls, or at the least, listening in on them. And they’d never be able to trace my number or location, but they’d hear my voice. They’d know the truth.
As if my heartbreak called her home, my phone rang.
Theo’s eyes shot up, and I took out my cell, nearly wincing through the pain that registered at me not being able to speak.
I hit the button, putting it on speaker but not saying a word.
After a few seconds, a deep breath came through the receiver.
“…Theodore… you wanted me to call. I…” a sniffle. “I wasn’t going to. But I had to let you know. I don’t think they’re going to let us see each other again.” I pointed to Theo as fear struck, and he scooted forward in his chair.
“I’m here. I didn’t think they would. But I got to see you.” His eyes searched mine. “And you called. That’s the most important part.”
“I shouldn’t have but…” her voice shook, and she sniffled again.
“But I had to. I miss you. I’m so sorry.
I wasn’t thinking.” She cleared her throat.
“The last time we saw each other, I said some things I shouldn’t have.
I think we both did. But we’re better now.
You came to see me. You confirmed why I have to do this.
If we’re ever going to be together, I want more for us. ”
I reached down, writing across a paper on my desk.
Tell her no.
Theo looked as if he wanted to argue, but he nodded.
“Penelope, about that. I don’t want you to.”
A long silence.
“I expected you to argue. I know I’m not a social person.
I’ve been hidden from society most of my life.
Trapped, if you will, behind my parents’ strict rules.
I can’t keep living a life where I’m hidden and afraid.
I will… but I really don’t want to. Please understand that if I’m ever going to make something of myself—both of us, really—we need friends, Theo.
Connections. Real ones who want to help us, not be wary of us. ”
I twisted my mouth, watching Theo study me. I lifted one of my eyebrows at him challengingly, but he only gave me a smile.
“I am very intimidating,” Theo said, winking at me.
“That’s the understatement of the century.”
I smiled as he laughed, not able to hold it through the dread.
“I love you. I do, and I know you love me. Let me meet with some people. I want to see if I can dazzle them with my charm. I want to make friends. I can do this. In return, maybe it’ll pay off.”
Or it doesn’t.
I scribbled down.
The threat was unspoken and he and I both knew it.
“Or it doesn’t. You don’t know these people, Penelope. Some are—”
“Rude? Manipulative? Theodore, who were my parents? I know exactly what type of people I’m dealing with. I was sheltered, I’m not daft.”
He looked at me challengingly, and it was my turn to roll my eyes at him. Rude and murderous weren’t the same thing.
“You will be careful, no matter what?”
She let out a long breath.
“I promise. There’s no guarantee I’ll even be able to meet with anyone, but I have to at least try.
I will call when I can. It won’t be often.
I have a lot of work here, and I know the same goes with you.
But I will text all the time, and if Katia, I mean Agent Marchase, says yes, maybe we can even see each other like you wanted.
I’d like that, Theo. I’ll be praying she says yes. ”
I felt my heart squeeze and cramp at the words I quickly wrote down. Theo swallowed hard, looking at me with a stare that made me feel exposed—raw.
“I love you, Penelope. More than the stars or the moon… or all the air in the world.”
She sobbed, and the pain was all too real. “I love you, too. I have to go. Text me good morning, good night, and I will keep you updated on my new friends. I’ll call when I can. Just give me a time when you’re not busy, and we’ll do this again.”
“I will. Goodbye, Penelope.”
The line went dead, and I leaned back, closing my eyes as I held to her voice for a moment more. I could still hear the sweet tone in my head. The way she said I love you. How much she missed me. The regret… We both had so much of that.
“I’m going to head out. I know you want to process this and need time alone.” Theodore stood. “Plus, I have court early in the morning.”
“Ice,” I said, sitting back up. “You don’t want the bruises to mar that pretty face of yours.”
Theo’s smile was big as he shrugged. “You’re one to talk. You’re not so bad looking yourself.”
“But I’m not pretty.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your queen didn’t seem to mind my pretty looks. The bruises were worth it.” My head tilted, and he winked.
“You’re teasing me. Do you want me to hit you again?”
He grabbed the knob. “Nope. I’m good. But if I am able to meet her again and you want me to—”
I stood and he laughed, putting up his hand to calm me.
“No more kissing. I promise.” He grew serious, time dragging out between us as we looked at each other.
“I’m glad you reached out to me, Vaughn.
Do you suppose it was like this between them?
Your namesake and mine? I’ve heard stories about how close they were.
They were best friends. More like brothers.
It’s why David Evans killed them both. My line would have done everything they could to avenge yours… and we would have succeeded.”
My brow creased as I stared into his unwavering green depths. I could see the warrior in him, and something about standing across from a man who held the same blood of my closest ally gave me a sense of déjà vu.
“They never stood a chance against our lines, which is why they resorted to lies and betrayal. The Evans reign ends with us. Just because they won in the past, doesn’t mean it secures their future.
We’re going to take back the Crown, Theodore, and we’re going to do it together.
Me, you, and The Order. We’re going to set the paths straight, and they’re going to regret the day they thought to stand against us. Virtus et Honos”
Theo smiled. “Virtue and Honor, your old motto.”
“Theirs. I’ll be changing mine to Virtus, Honos, et Regnum Recuperatum.”
His smile grew. “Virtue, Honor, and Kingdom Restored. That is perfect.”
“I thought so, too. I didn’t know you spoke Latin. Potestas nostra iterum erit.”
“I’m not the best, but I know enough.” Theodore stood taller, switching over to the language. “And you’re right. The power will be ours again.”
“They have no idea what is coming. And when they find out, it’ll be too late. They won’t stand a chance.”
“Indeed,” he replied, bowing deeply and changing back to English. “Goodnight, Unavowed.”
“Goodnight, Theo.”