41. King Lawrence
King Lawrence
“You? You’re the one in charge of Penelope’s isolation?”
No matter how much control I tried to hold to, it was impossible to keep the rage from my words.
My patience had died months ago. And even though I’d finally tracked down Penelope’s location, it didn’t do me any good.
Every request. Every call. Every fucking letter I sent either got rejected or declined.
And it was all because of her. Because of this American bitch sitting before me.
I didn’t need to know her to read the woman like an open book. Her entitlement—her power over Penelope went beyond mine, and she knew it.
“Agent Katia Marchase,” she stated. “I do believe you’ve been searching for me for quite some time. I was told by my superiors to come meet with you. What can I do for you, King Lawrence?”
“If you knew I was searching for you, why didn’t you come sooner?”
Her smile grew, and she lowered to the chair in the sitting room, making herself comfortable.
“I stay quite busy. I can’t alter my schedule because of some… crush.”
My brows rose but anger only thickened in my tone. She didn’t want to be here anymore than I wanted her here, but I did want information on Penelope.
“I beg your pardon?”
“No need to deny it, Your Majesty. Penelope Taylor is a beautiful woman. And a popular one.” She shrugged. “I can’t make time for every man who tries to beg for her attention. My job is to protect her. I’m doing that.”
“First, this isn’t a crush,” I growled. “I am the king. Penelope is of noble blood. Her protection falls under my authority whether you understand that or not. Besides…” My lids lowered further into a glare.
“I am searching for a queen. Penelope has always been in the running, and that hasn’t changed now. I demand that you allow her to see me.”
“Hmm.” She paused, her lips tugging back at the side the smallest amount. “I don’t like that word. Demand… it’s just not going to work with me. If anything, it’s quite the deterrent.”
“You will allow me to see her.”
Her head cocked to the side. “You’re not convincing me, and I don’t have to… No… I don’t think I will.”
My fist tightened, and I forced myself to sit in the chair across from hers. My breaths were heavier, but I slowed them, forcing a smile, changing my behavior as I pushed the anger back.
“Alright. How do I see her? What can I do for you to change your mind?”
“Ah. There we go.” She beamed me a smile. “I like this approach a lot better.” She moved to the edge of her seat, leaning towards me. For a long moment, she didn’t speak. “…Nothing. I won’t let you see her. She’s not ready.”
My face tightened, and I repressed the need to rip her up and beat her to death.
“Not ready? Have you not read the headlines from the last few months? She’s clearly not in favor of being isolated and trapped in that tower you have her locked inside of.
How is she not ready if she wants to leave where she is to begin with?
You’re keeping her hostage, and I won’t stand for it.
It’s been ten months. Ten bloody months. Enough is enough.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed threateningly, I could clearly see I’d triggered a sore spot within her.
“It’ll never be enough. Penelope doesn’t know what is best for her.
After the horrors she went through, she still wants to go home—back to the same place she was taken.
Her decision-making has been altered. I can’t allow her to return to a place that holds such threat.
Her masked captor is still out there. Until we find him, I’m afraid she’ll have to stay right where she is. ”
“Find him?” I exploded, standing to stare her down. “You haven’t yet. You may never find him. If her safety is such an issue, bring her here. I will have her protected. I can keep her safe.”
A smile grew until her teeth were exposed.
“Safe? Like with those women you cane?” Her eyes scanned my face, coming back to my stare.
“I looked into you. I mean, really looked into you. Does caning those women make you feel better about yourself, Your Majesty? Does it make you feel good to see them cry? To hear them beg you for mercy?” She paused.
“Or maybe you imagine they’re her. Yes… Did she not reject you and mix herself in scandal? Did her dismissal sting that bad?”
My pulse pounded into my chest. I continued glaring down at her. Hating that she could be so bold, and yet there was nothing I could do about it.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about. Those women, they like it. They beg for it.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” The agent stood to face me.
“Until my superior tells me any different, she stays with me.” She paused.
“Just so you know, I did consider dumping her on you. Favor is on your side, and I probably could have washed my hands of her, but… I have to admit, I’m having fun.
She keeps me entertained. Tell me, did it ever dawn on you that it wasn’t me saying no? That it might be her?”
“Penelope wouldn’t—”
“I’m not surprised you don’t believe me.
You’ve probably convinced yourself that she’s madly in love with you.
She’s not. She never will be. And she’d be a horrible queen.
But I’ll be sure to pass along your… concern over her.
She’ll hate to hear it, and that will make my day. It was nice meeting you, Your Majesty.”
Concern.
Fucking concern.
The only concern Katia Marchase needed to worry about was her own safety. Lying bitch. I’d figure out a way to get to Penelope, whether the agent liked it or not.
As I watched her leave, emotions twisted and warped. They tightened around me, growing in their suffocating strangulation. I was not going to stop trying to meet with her. I didn’t care if Katia Marchase kept denying my requests.
This couldn’t go on forever.
No.
If I couldn’t meet with Penelope, she would get free eventually. When she did… I would be waiting.