44. Vaughn
Vaughn
“You’re smiling.”
“What?”
“You’re smiling.”
My face sobered as I turned away from the jet’s window, looking across from me to throw Theodore a look. His knuckles were white as he held to the arms of his chair.
“You’re mistaken.”
“Nope—Fuck.” The plane bounced slightly as it landed on the tarmac. Theodore’s eyes squeezed as we began to slow. “I hate planes. Have I ever told you how much I fucking hate planes? Don’t ever say I’m not loyal to you. Shit.”
I couldn’t keep the smile from resurfacing.
The sun was bright.
The sky was blue.
Penelope… would soon be mine again.
I was ecstatic.
No… Phenomenal.
“Your loyalty is noted. Cheer up, Theo, we’re in Miami. This is the best thing that’s happened all year.”
“I am happy that you’re finally not biting my head off. Of course, we still have to get Penelope and Marian—”
“We’ll get them.”
“You heard The Reeve.”
Theodore looked further down the jet, taking in the large team of guards I had from The Order.
“Are we sure we can trust Bastian Allard’s guard? That man is clearly not loyal.”
“Not to Bastian, no, but who would be? The world thinks he’s so great. They have no idea who he truly is.”
“Do you think we’ll run into him? He left a few hours before we did.”
I laughed. “I can only hope.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“He knows we’re coming.” I tapped against the chair. “I made sure of it.”
“Vaughn… do you find it odd that Marian brought Penelope with her?”
I couldn’t deny it. It wasn’t just odd, it was baffling.
“It is, but I’m not going to complain. It’s almost been a damn year. Maybe the SLB has backed off and we just haven’t heard about it yet.”
“Maybe. What if things don’t go well with Bastian? What if this is a trap?”
“If it were a trap, Mr. Prescott would have warned me. He told me King Lawrence is losing favor. He’s neglecting his duties and pushing away those he needs the most right now.
” Again, that damn smile resurfaced. “People in high places are starting to talk. They’re starting to pull to me.
This is great news for when I get my evidence. It’ll help with the transition.”
“And Bastian?”
I swatted towards Theo as if the question was nothing.
“If the bastard doesn’t want to die, he’ll stay out of my way.
I’m taking them both, whether he likes it or not.
Marian’s mother, Melissa LaRoe, is dead.
Elec, the Main Master of the Gardens, killed her not days ago.
I heard it directly from The Collective High Council this morning.
They’re sending me a link of the video to prove it.
I’m told Elec lost it. It was gruesomely…
amazing. Rumor is that she messed with his mind with that hypnosis stuff and manipulated him too.
“Anyway,” I continued, “Mr. Prescott gave me a free pass to take what I am owed, and I’m not passing up the opportunity to make Marian pay. Especially now that shit has hit the fan.”
My head shook in amazement. “He says they’re ending the LaRoe line.
All are dead in her family but Marian, and from what I hear, they may kill her anyway.
I, of course, petitioned to have her, but I wasn’t the only one.
Her bloodline is supreme. She may be forced to marry immediately, and they know that’s not what I want her for, so I’ll only have a short window for revenge before I have to return her.
Time is of the essence.” My lips pulled back, and I couldn’t stop the happiness surging through. “The tables are finally turning.”
“They always do.”
Theodore and I unbuckled as the plane came to a stop.
I stood, going through the motions as we unloaded and headed for the hotel.
We were running behind. We hadn’t expected Penelope to leave.
Had we been prepared, we could have retrieved them before they left for the states.
As it was, now we’d not only have to face her security detail but Bastian Allard’s as well.
And he had a jumpstart on us by a few hours. They both did—he and Marian.
It was a disadvantage, but I wasn’t worried.
It didn’t even matter that I had his guard in my pocket.
Bastian knew better than to get in my way.
We’d had a run-in close to a decade before.
Crossing me made him a target, and he was too big of a coward to try again.
He may have been putting up a front as a warning to save face, but he’d have his men stand down when the time came, or I’d destroy him.
Cars and buildings blurred as we headed to the hotel, and for once Theodore kept quiet. I kept seeing flashes of Penelope. Of her wearing the blindfold. Of us together. Did she look the same? Was her hair longer? Shorter? How would she react when she finally saw me again?
A year…
A fucking year apart.
It was a tragedy.
It didn’t seem real.
Torture. That’s what it felt like when we weren’t together.
But not for her. Penelope was going to fight me with everything she had.
Maybe she even hated me. As much as I wanted to say it didn’t matter, it did.
I couldn’t be without her. I didn’t want to be king if she wasn’t at my side. I would, but I didn’t want to.
The SUV approached the large hotel and I pointed. “Don’t take me through the garage. I’m going through the front.”
An uneasy quiet settled in the SUV with the three guards who rode with us. One immediately radioed in the other two SUVs that followed behind.
“You sure about that?” Theodore looked nervous as he looked around to the other men in the vehicle.
“We’re going through the front doors.” I glanced to The Reeve’s second who was in the front passenger seat.
“Abel, you can check us in. We’ll stay close, but we post up and get eyes everywhere.
According to Dale, Bastian’s traitor lead-guard who is helping us, he’s given orders for their men to observe but keep their distance.
It’s time we put him to the test and see just how much we can trust him. ”
“I don’t like it,” Theodore ground out. “It’s too dangerous. What if Elliot—”
My lids narrowed at the name, and Theodore stopped. “I don’t even know why I ask. We’re going to kill him.”
“You’re going to kill him. Take some men and get it over with.” I smiled. “I am going to keep an eye out for my queen. Tonight, we’ll meet back up in my room and come up with a plan. I want to be alone for a while.”
The SUV eased through the valet line. The moment it stopped, I opened the door, getting out. Theodore and three SUVs of my guards moved in as I headed through the automatic doors, slowing as I looked around the busy lobby.
Able headed for the front desk, and the other men began dispersing into the crowd to take their place to watch over me. I spotted Bastian’s guards immediately, watching them shift as they noticed us. One even spoke into his mic, but they didn’t move.
“Well.” Theo pointed to Able in the distance. “I’ll be in the room changing. I’m sure as hell not going to take out a professional killer in these shoes. If I die, I expect some sort of park or university named after me.”
“I’ll do you one better than that. But I forbid you to die. We’re too damn close to getting back the Crown. I haven’t been training you for nothing.”
“I am turning into quite the badass. I may actually not die, just get my ass handed to me.”
“You better not.”
Theo winked and bowed his head the smallest amount. “I’ll see you tonight.” He looked across the lobby at the multiple guards from The Order watching over me. “Be careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
“Mmhmm.”
Theo threw me a look, turning and meeting Able as they headed deeper into the hotel. I moved to the far side of the lobby, ignoring the fact that I was being watched by nearly all of my men. They weren’t going to let me out of their sight no matter what I ordered them to do.
Heading to the far side of the room, I took a seat on a bench by the entrance to an upscale restaurant.
I watched the people, scanning the couples, groups, and random singles.
None were Penelope, and I knew at some point, if she came down, she’d appear at the elevators on the opposite side where I had a view.
But would she be able to leave her hotel room?
It was questionable. I couldn’t shake that this could be a trap, either. As much as I didn’t think it was, I couldn’t be sure. Desperation wouldn’t let me accept it.
A good hour passed as my emotions went up and down.
My mind raced with schemes and uncertainties.
Everything faded as blue caught my eye. My attention went to the elevator, and air seized in my lungs as Penelope and Marian headed for the restaurant, both deep in conversation.
Penelope smiled, and I felt myself scoot closer to the edge of the bench.
I gripped to the wood underneath me, holding on with everything I had so I wouldn’t go after her.
Dark hair was loose and reaching to her elbows.
It was longer than it had been when I took her.
She appeared even more porcelain now. Pale but flawless.
It had the rosy color of her lips and cheeks almost appearing painted on.
And the blue. Had there ever been a more beautiful color on her?
Her eyes practically glowed as she looked around.
Even from as far away as I was, they seemed to dominate her face.
I couldn’t see the exact color, but the brightness was like a magnet.
They took a seat, Penelope facing me. She appeared so happy… so… engrossed in whatever her and Marian were talking about. My awe faded, twisting with a sense of jealousy—abandonment? Was she so happy without me?
The questions came vanishing as I watched her straighten.
A tinge of worry joined with something else and she faked a smile.
Whatever she said had Marian turning to look behind her.
I immediately saw her annoyance, following her gaze to her fiancé a few tables back.
What the hell was that about? She’d almost appeared angry as she spun back to Penelope.
More, they talked. My own envy dialed back as I got lost back in Penelope’s beauty.
For a few minutes, Penelope’s gaze traveled around the area but mostly stayed on her friend.
Her eyes cut in my vicinity, and my heart nearly stopped as she jolted in surprise.
Her excitement brought me confusion. She was looking by me, but not at me.
I looked around the lobby, but only one thing stood out.
A woman with dark hair streaked with gray, and two very large men.
Men… I’d seen before during my research on Marian. But how did Penelope know about them?
As I tried to piece it together, the women were already rushing in my direction.
Penelope’s giddiness had me seeing red as I tracked them.
The closer they got, I was sure my queen would spot me.
She was feet away, and she strolled right by me, straight to the front desk where the woman stood next to Drayton Pennington and his cousin Quinton.
Rape.
Marian had accused Drayton of it before, and now she was heading right for him? Looking… happy?
I stood, moving slowly across the room as I watched the scene unfold. Penelope’s shyness had her standing at Marian’s side, and I suddenly realized that it wasn’t the men the women were elated over… it was the woman. They weren’t even looking at the men through their excitement.
But it didn’t take long.
At the woman’s gaze up, Marian followed… and she froze. It had intrigue blossoming as Drayton stepped in closer to her. He may have worn a smile, but I saw the lust that mixed with hate as he addressed her.
As the dark-haired woman walked away, Marian and Penelope tried to flee, but it was Drayton who wasn’t allowing them to.
More, I moved in closer, watching him challenge Marian as she kept stepping back.
It appeared they were arguing, but she nodded, looking over to Penelope, who didn’t appear very happy either.
When Penelope stepped back and said something firmly to Marian, I almost headed in her direction.
Had it not been for her moving in to take Quinton’s arm, I would have.
The sight stopped me in my tracks. The weight of the knife beneath my suit’s jacket suddenly felt heavier.
Blood. All I wanted to do was spill blood as Penelope headed back to the restaurant with the good-looking man who couldn’t keep his eyes off her.