55. Vaughn #2
“You see my dilemma. I don’t think you entirely understand how much you screwed yourself by killing under my roof and then making demands of the one person you should have been begging mercy to.
And now you have your wife trying to protect you.
But she’s guilty too, so…” My arms locked at my lower back as I stared Drayton down. “Now, you’ll both beg for it.”
Marian’s scream had Drayton spinning to come face to face with Elec, who had a gun against the side of his head. Guards were pulling Marian deeper into the room. Drayton surged forward, immediately getting ripped back before he could take two steps.
“Marian! Marian!”
The room split in sections as guards secured Drayton. Marian was drawn further back while the two guards Marian was meant to torture were brought in. The room was turning into chaos as Bram paced not feet away, just as trapped as everyone else.
I kept my voice loud, wrapping my hand around the back of Penelope’s neck, bringing her closer to me.
“You see, the upside-down crown symbolizes something very dear that was stolen. Those who pledge their loyalty know the risks that come with taking the vows. It’s a very lengthy initiation for Master and guard alike.
We have rules. We have guidelines. But you’re marrying into this, Mr. Pennington.
You haven’t had the chance to see what others sometimes die trying to get.
To disrespect me and break my rules… well… it breaks you.”
Tables were pushed out of the way as Marian was pulled off to the side. The rapists were forced to the wall while Drayton kept fighting against his guards.
“If you hurt her any more than she already is. If—”
I let go of Penelope. My fist cracked against Drayton’s mouth, snapping his head back.
“One more threat, I don’t make you suffer, I make her.
She doesn’t need her tongue to conceive an heir.
She doesn’t need fingers or toes. She doesn’t need arms or legs.
I will take a body part from your wife for every time you think to threaten me.
If you don’t believe me, try. Threaten and watch me act.
The only one who is going to lose here is you. ”
“Unavowed, this was not part of the plan. You’re walking a line you really don’t want to cross.”
I turned to look at Bram. “A line?” I shrugged, smiling.
“I see no line, only what is my right. I’m breaking no rules.
This man killed one of my guards. He wants the death of two others.
Do you know the cost of blood? My blood?
Those guards are mine. They’ve given their life to me.
So… you want a piece of me dead? Fine. But nothing is easy.
Mr. Pennington and I made a deal. I’m collecting on it.
Mrs. Pennington volunteered to take his place.
Ask her. This,” I said, waving my hands around the room to all the guards, “is just for everyone’s safety.
See, I’m being nice. I’m being a good host.”
“Penelope.” I turned, cupping her face, wanting nothing more than to kiss her. “You will follow my orders as before. Go to our room and ready yourself for bed. I will be there when we are finished.”
“May I—Can I …” My lids narrowed at her challenging questions. “I didn’t get to spend time with Marian like you said. Can I at least tell her goodbye?”
Hesitation had me looking towards Marian before I brought my attention back to Penelope.
“Do you think that is wise?”
She glanced down, but I saw the queen, the defiant woman who pretended to be angry with me appear as she coldly lifted her eyes to mine. “For my training… yes. I have to say goodbye.”
“Make it quick.”
I kept the anger in my tone, knowing it was all for show. Penelope raced forward, but I followed. Drayton stepped in, keeping at my side as we got closer to Marian.
“This will be no easy game,” I said, looking over, “but it should go quickly if your wife can follow orders. There’s hope. She appears to be a fast learner. I have to say, after everything I know of her, I expected more of a fight. There’s balance. You’re lucky.”
I glanced over to Drayton but went back to watching Penelope break through the ring of guards. The moment she got close, their arms lifted, shooting up. Their fear was valid.
Everything was coming together.
“Balance?”
“You’ll see. Her fight—I have a suspicion it’s… waiting. Let’s not let it fester. We’ll mold it. Craft it. Outlets are important.” I pointed to Elec, and the guards immediately began to push him over to us, but I addressed Drayton. “You’re part of the Gardens. You were just accepted.”
“Yes.”
“Why, Mr. Pennington? Why do you want to be there?”
I could barely focus on the question I asked Drayton.
I watched Penelope hug around Marian’s stiff body.
She was far away again. There were tears, but she wasn’t breaking down like a woman should.
She needed this. Marian Pennington needed to break down the wall she’d built inside of her, and I was going to allow her to do that. Not just for her… but for us.
“I have anger. A lot of it.”
“Because of her? Because her accusation cost you your title as heir?”
Drayton’s jaw clenched repeatedly. “It’s so much more than that. My title. Our love. Time. Everything’s been taken from me. Every decision, every hope. Every fucking dream. It’s the story of my goddamn life, so, unfortunately, the need to hurt someone isn’t new. It’s been there since I was a boy.”
I nodded, my face morphing to different emotions as I continued to watch Penelope. I forced my gaze away, finally looking at Elec.
“Main Master Elec, I’m curious on your take. You live this life. You’re a trained professional in this sort of thing.”
“I’m a psychologist on top of a Main Master, yes.” Elec’s voice had my head turning fuzzy as it came through monotone. It made me want to attack him. I got defensive but stayed calm.
“Who would you say is more suited for The Garden of the Gods. Is it our dear Mr. Pennington with all his closeted rage and sadism or… his fragile, little wife?”
Elec laughed, looking at me with an expression I knew all too well.
“Marian is far from fragile. She’s no different than a grenade.
She’s only going through the motions because the pin remains.
She’s experiencing unfamiliarity and shock.
To her, it’s black and white and she’s lost. The…
color and screams should bring her back.
Once her true self breaks through, we’ll see that explosion that’s waiting to go off.
” Elec peered over to her only to come back to me.
“That’s what you intend to do, correct? You’re letting her have her revenge? ”
“Without getting a little of my own?” I laughed, bringing my attention back to Drayton.
For seconds, I didn’t speak. “Black and white is boring. Letting her have her revenge is easy. She deserves it. She has suffered far worse than any of us. What I have in store…” My lids narrowed into a glare.
“This will hurt you more than her. I happen to like her. I don’t necessarily like you. Not yet.”