45. Penelope
Penelope
Had I thought I was the only one wrapped in boyfriend drama?
Marian’s unraveling yesterday had me watching her in a new light. In fascination. I’d seen the dedication at the front of the book she’d let me borrow.
To Marian and Drayton, the cutest couple I’ve ever seen.
But… wow.
I had not expected there to be a story about false allegations, drugs, and mystery surrounding the woman who’d become my best friend. I was quickly seeing that just because her future may rest with Bastian Allard, her heart did not.
Marian and Drayton had spent hours talking on the phone after we’d ran into them in the lobby.
They talked for so long, I’d fallen asleep to Marian’s giggles.
When I awoke in the morning, she was already dressed and pacing.
They were planning to meet at the book convention.
For what… I didn’t know, but I was excited for her.
She loved Drayton. That was obvious, but she also feared seeing him because of how messy their past was.
As we walked around the book signing, I wasn’t the only one searching him out. We’d already been walking around for hours. He still hadn’t appeared. I was beginning to fear he wasn’t coming… and so was she.
“I don’t like how quiet you are, Marian. Are you sure you’re okay?”
She forced a grin. “Of course. Let’s go check on Jenn. Her assistant was struggling with the large crowd when we passed. We already hit up all the tables. Let’s go see if they need help.”
Just the thought of seeing Jenn again made me happy. I never expected to like Marian’s dark romance book, but I was obsessed. It reminded me of Vaughn… Of the dangerous, hot moments we’d shared together.
“Do you think he’ll come?” I couldn’t help but ask as Marian looked around. It took her a good minute to respond.
“I don’t know. The signing has already been going on for a while. Drayton’s never been one to be late. He probably came to his senses and already headed home.”
“Maybe he can’t get in. You saw Bastian outside when we walked up.” I couldn’t help the concern that laced my words.
After Bastian saw me walking into the restaurant with Quinton, a barrage of people stood.
They were guards dressed as hotel guests.
The entire place went crazy and so had Bastian.
Especially when we’d all walked up on them kissing—a kiss Drayton had stolen from Marian.
That only had her stepping between the two men as things got heated.
Drayton made the comment that he and Marian weren’t over.
Now, Bastian was outside the signing just sitting in the lobby while readers came in and out.
“You should have seen all his guards. I don’t see how Drayton would make it up here, Marian.”
“Drayton said there were a lot, but he has my number now, and he’s able to actually call it. If he can’t make it inside, I’m sure he’ll let me know. If not…”
She didn’t continue. She shrugged, and I threw her a sympathetic look. A squeal from a woman had me looking up, and I felt my feet plant. Time stopped. I held to Marian in a death grip.
“Penny? What is it? Penelope?”
The forcefulness of her voice had me shaking my head back and forth. I searched the room in a panic.
“He’s—I saw—I think—” I pulled her two steps forward almost causing her to fall.
“He, who?”
“I saw—I think—There was a mask. Behind that big logo—” I pointed a few tables over and jumped as a figure stepped around the author’s banner, swooping in to grab a reader.
They squealed, and I clutched to Marian as the taller one spun the blonde-haired girl around in a circle.
It was clear from the dark, long curls that were peeking out from the back that it was a woman who was wearing the mask.
“Oh, Penny, that mask is from a horror movie—
“I know but…I…I…”
Marian wrapped her arm around me. “Is that what he wore?”
I nodded, pulling free and smoothing down my dress, embarrassed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” she rushed out. “I should have warned you. There was a mask or two at the last convention. I completely forgot to prepare you.”
We started to walk again but only got a little further before I stepped right into Marian, reaching back for her hand. My heart exploded and I knew…
My time was up. There was no escaping the powerful body under the suit. Vaughn had come for me, and he was headed our way.
Marian began to look around, seeing what I did. The room was suddenly full of readers wearing the same mask. It left me confused. I started doubting myself.
“Marian—”
She quickly spun us for the main doors.
“Let’s just go grab a snack. I was getting hungry anyway.”
I nodded, barely able to control the fast breaths leaving me. We kept looking over our shoulders. I couldn’t stop the anxiety. I was practically running. He wouldn’t come. This wasn’t him. But the size… the expensive suit…
If… If it was him… No. I couldn’t mess this up. I had an image to uphold. I was the scared mouse to Marian. I had to keep pretending to be.
“I don’t know w-what’s—I just need—Wait…
” My blood went cold as I searched the big room.
“Where did he go?” I looked around wildly as I slowed, letting out a small cry as I turned.
My hand rose to my chest, and I swallowed hard, shaking my head in denial.
“That wasn’t him. It wasn’t. And he’s gone.
” Deep pants. “I’m not afraid. I’m… I’m not.
It wasn’t him. I just… I have to go.” My eyes finally tore from the room to come to Marian. “Maybe you should stay.”
“What? No way.”
Marian led us to the double doors, but I pulled back knowing there was a chance. If that was the case, I had to prepare for that too.
“I just want to go to the room. You’ve been planning this for months. I won’t ruin that. Stay here.”
“I’m not leaving you alone. You’re terrified.”
Her voice was stern. I was about to argue, but before I could continue, a man I quickly recognized stepped in from not two feet away.
My eyes burned. My heart ached. I held in the tears, forcing myself to face Marian.
The irritation she had when she looked at him…
I knew she assumed he was one of Bastian’s guards.
“I just want to be alone. I know it wasn’t him, but the thought startled me. I’m already getting better. I just want some time by myself.”
“I can take Ms. Taylor back to the room. I can stand outside the door and make sure she’s alright. And she can call if she needs you.”
Marian’s lips parted in confusion even though she was already shaking her head.
“Thank you for the offer, but I can take Penny to our room.”
“No.” My hand settled on her shoulder. “Stay, Marian. I’m getting tired anyway, and I need to process. We’ve been walking around for a few hours now. I think a nap and alone time would do me good. Have fun. Tell Jenn I said hello and that I can’t wait to read Blake.”
“Are you sure?”
My face softened. “You take such good care of me. I’m okay. I promise. I need this time to myself. Please.”
She forced a smile. “Alright. But I’m not staying long. An hour. Two, tops.”
“You’ll stay until…” I glanced at the guard—from The Order—only to turn back to her. “Stay as long as you need.”
My eyes met familiar ones. It was Keith, the man who’d saved me from the rapes.
The one I’d exchanged vows with. As I turned and headed for the door, I quickly wiped the tear that escaped.
My hand was shaking. My heart was racing.
He opened the barrier, and I moved in close, hiding behind his wide form as we passed the area where Bastian Allard sat.
“He’s here to take me.”
It wasn’t a question.
Keith glanced down to me, nodding. “It’s time, Ms. Penelope. We’ve been trying a long time to bring you home.”
Home.
Another tear slipped free. My mind battled whether to run.
To scream. Would this new imprisonment be worse than the SLB’s?
Maybe. At least with Marian I’d gotten into a routine.
And I was safe. Here, I’d have to face Vaughn.
I wasn’t sure my heart could do that. He’d lied to me—at least by omission.
I couldn’t even trust him. His motives were unclear. Secretive. Not to mention dangerous.
“Keith—”
“We know something is wrong between you and The Unavowed. He hasn’t been the same now for a long time. You’re having doubts, which I understand, but don’t run or force me to subdue you. I really don’t want to do that.”
My bottom lip eased out at the confliction. “He sent you on purpose. He knew I would honor my vow.”
He gave a soft shrug, but I knew he was agreeing.
“How have you been, Keith?” I asked quietly. “How’s The Order?”
“It would be a lot better if you were there.”
I smiled.
“I barely know the place, but I have missed something about it. Not him,” I forced out, “but The Order. I shouldn’t.
It’s a terrifying, evil place, but… I guess…
You all support someone I… loved. I’ve done a lot of research the last year.
I’ve left no stone unturned. You’re backing the true king.
I don’t believe the first King Vaughn committed treason. ”
“None of us do. The Unavowed—”
My mouth twisted, and he cocked his head.
“He didn’t… hurt you, did he?”
I bit the insides of my cheeks, trying to contain the anger that arose at Katia’s voice in my head.
“Not like how you mean.”
“I see.” We turned, and he hit the button for the lift.
The doors opened, and we headed inside. Instead of choosing a floor, he pushed for the garage level.
“I know it hasn’t been easy for you, Ms. Penelope, and it’s not about to get any better.
Have grace for The Unavowed. He means well.
He does. And I think if you’d just talk to him—”
“Keith.” I turned, feeling my true self surge to the forefront.
My eyes fell flat, and any good emotion I had disappeared in the darkness within.
“The Unavowed will get treated exactly as he deserves. The grace inside me died when I found out everything he told me was a lie. I said vows to you and to The Order. You get my grace. Vaughn gets the Penelope he created.”