49. Vaughn
Vaughn
With every high came a low.
Now that the celebration was over, now that the trials were finished, I saw the damage, and it left a heaviness behind that I couldn’t ignore.
The lacerations and stitches on Penelope’s back.
The scars that would come of them, along with the knife wounds.
The marks would never go away. On top of the permanent reminders, she lost the one thing she’d been trying to obtain her entire life.
I knew what it was to strive for a lost title.
I was living it. To get a taste of it, only to have it stripped away again, I couldn’t help the pain that came along with the guilt.
Sure, a part of me loved hearing the anger in King Lawrence’s tone as she relinquished her title, but I saw the aftermath.
I knew, even if Penelope pretended it didn’t matter, somewhere deep within, it did.
Full lips parted and I stayed on my side, staring at her sleeping form. She was on her stomach. Her arm was bent, her fingers resting near her lips, and the dark red comforter was resting just above her ass. She’d been out now for hours, sleeping harder than I’d seen her in a long time.
It was to be expected. Lord Oxley had told me enough when he’d given her the pain pills.
But if I knew Penelope, she’d be ready to get up.
She didn’t like sleeping too long. As I went to reach for her, her phone started ringing.
Penelope’s lids flew open. She groggily turned for the bedside table, squinting as she took in the number. Quickly, she looked over at the clock.
“Damn. Almost ten?” She cleared her throat, hitting the button. “Reeve, hey, what’s going on?”
She winced as she sat up, drawing the comforter up to cover her chest. There was a pause as he said something.
“No, it’s okay. I needed to wake up anyway. What happened?”
More silence. I sat up, letting the transition of our roles sink in. A smile came, but also an unease as I wondered what was happening. I wasn’t sure I liked this new role swap. I wanted to be the protector. I wasn’t used to the idea of her leading The Order. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be.
“I see. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be there soon.”
Penelope hung up, turning to face me.
“There was a captain last night at one of the pubs by the port apparently drunk and hinting of Order business. They have him detained. It would appear someone new triggered the south entrance, but it could just be the man was homeless and looking for shelter. The Reeve is looking more into it.”
I nodded, watching as she crawled from bed and headed for the bathroom.
I’d taken a shower and went through my morning routine hours ago.
As I got up and got dressed, I listened to her try to speed through hers.
She opened the door, her toothbrush in her mouth as she headed for the closet.
Focus had her barely looking over as she grabbed a pair of trousers and a black silk button-up blouse to place on the bed.
Not two minutes later, she was rubbing lotion on her face and coming back to take out a pair of stockings.
Captivation left me soaking in every move she made. Love kept me blissed out in a comforting peace. But possessiveness was never far behind. It lingered, promising to protect her. To never leave her side in case she needed me.
They may have tested Penelope on her ability to safeguard me, but the true threat would be focused on her. And I’d be ready for when that happened. Because it would. It always did.
“We didn’t bring The Order’s phone home with us.” Penelope paused in tucking in her blouse. “What if someone important tried to call and I missed it?”
“Love… come here.”
Penelope finished zipping and buttoning her trousers. She was fastening the belt as she approached. The worry on her face was real. I reached up, cradling her jaw.
“You are The Queen of the Order. They wait on you.”
“But… Mr. Prescott—”
“Is your contact. The Council may be in charge, but that does not change who you are. They know this. You are the queen… You… You will call when you’re ready. That is the end of it. Okay?”
Full lips pressed together, and she gave a nod.
“How are you feeling?”
“A little pain. It’s not too bad. The medication is still working.”
“Good. Take a deep breath. Nothing that I’ve heard is cause for urgency. We get there when we get there.”
“You’re right.”
I gave her a reassuring smile. Penelope slid on her flats, reaching up to smooth over her hair.
She had it in a bun at the nape of her neck again.
Her makeup was natural minus the hint of charcoal eyeliner.
As she walked for the bedroom door, I couldn’t help but soak it all in.
Authority. She had it. Power emanated, and anyone I knew would be a fool to underestimate her.
“I’m going to call and have breakfast waiting for us.” I was already holding my phone, following behind as we headed through the hall to enter the large kitchen and living area. “Are you sure you don’t want to take more time? You have injuries.”
“Bruises. The lacerations are barely worth stitches. I’m more sore than anything. I’m fine. I want to go in.”
A moment passed before I nodded. “Breakfast. Do you want anything different than usual?”
Penelope slowed, stopping as she looked around. At her silence, I looked up from punching in the number on my phone, glancing around to see what she was doing.
“Penelope?”
“Wait.” She blinked heavily, looking out of the back windows that gave view to the large patio and garden in the back. “Something is… different… or…”
I was careful of her stitches as I pushed against her lower back to take us out of the center of the room. We entered the kitchen, stopping behind a small hall that led to my home office. “What do you mean, different? Explain.”
“I don’t know. Hold on.” She craned her neck, taking her time looking through the windows. Again, she scanned, finally straightening. “The chair.” Her head tilted, moving as she took a few steps closer. “The chair is angled. And… between those two hedges. Was it always hollower there?”
My brow creased. “I’m not sure. The chair does seem to be slightly tilted out.” I walked around her, signaling for her to move closer to the wall. As I headed to the window, I let my senses take over. I checked the locks, taking in every detail of the back yard.
“I have the alarm set if someone tries to get in, but I don’t like this at all. With King Lawrence’s unstable behavior, we’ll ramp up security. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“I agree.”
I walked back over to Penelope, leading her into the home office and through the secret entrance that led down to the room I once kept her in.
As we headed through the door that led to The Order, we were met with Penelope’s four guards.
They bowed their heads in acknowledgement, getting onto their cart as we climbed into ours.
The drive was short, and I used the time to call the kitchen to have our food ready.
We parked just outside of the main hall, away from the familiar traffic of the Masters.
The Reeve was posted outside the study door with our food cart, meeting us as we walked up.
“Unavowed. Queen.” He smiled, opening his mouth to speak to me, but quickly turning his attention to Penelope as we headed inside.
My lips tightened, and I grabbed our trays, carrying them inside.
As I walked around, I placed my tray at the desk, pausing.
She would sit here now. My desk… would become hers.
I glanced around the room, taking in the chairs on the other side of the desk, and the one in the far corner by the books.
“Reeve, increase patrol around mine and Vaughn’s home.
Something felt off this morning. A chair near the garden seemed messed with.
Have them pay attention to the back. There are two hedges that someone might have been slipping through.
It’s noticeable enough for them not to be able to miss it.
I’m not sure if it was like that before but have them keep an eye on things. ”
“I’ll call it in now, Your Maj—”
“No.” Penelope’s voice cut him off. “I’m sorry.” She turned to me as I put her tray behind the desk and swapped them out. “That reminds me of King Lawrence. I don’t want to be called that. What else can he call me?”
My mouth opened but closed. “Penelope, it’s who you are now. I suppose if it bothers you so much… My Queen or High Mistress might work.”
“My Queen is fine, I guess.”
“My Queen is great,” Able confirmed.
She shifted, clearly uncomfortable as I gestured for her to sit at the desk.
“Tell me about the captain we have detained.”
She walked around, sinking into the large chair, watching me as I headed to the other side to take my seat before her. I took in the clutter on the desk, not able to really scoot anything around so my tray would fit.
“The captain’s name is Desmond Harvel. He runs mostly out of Red Island. He’s one of the younger captains we deal with.”
I made a soft rumbling sound. It had Penelope’s attention coming back to me.
“Red Island. Isn’t that the location responsible for Redmond’s death?”
I nodded at her question. “Yeah. Although, Gavin Draper doesn’t run the island anymore. The Council released him of his duties. His brother runs it now. I believe his name is Luke.”
“Luke.” Penelope nodded. “And what all did this captain say?”
I balanced the tray on my lap, eating my food as The Reeve read notes from his phone.
“It started out with him boasting to a group of men about the pretty girls he transports. I guess a few were looking for jobs and were curious. The pub owner is in our pockets. He said the captain didn’t imply the women were trafficked, but he didn’t hide the fact that they were being taken against their will.
I guess he mentioned they can get pretty loud and rowdy at times, but that they had their benefits.
The captain then mentioned he had to drop off the girls to The Order, and then he was headed back out to sea for his fishing quota. ”
“Hmm.” Penelope picked at her food. “Well, that’s a problem.” She paused, glancing back up to him. “Ready him while I eat. I’ll go to him after I finish. Am I correct that the other men he spoke to are at least being tracked or detained?”
“Yes, My Queen. They are detained, but they’re unconscious. We’ll keep them that way until you decide what you want to do.”
She gave a nod, and Able slipped out of the door. I took her in as she ate but stared up at me.
“I think I’m going to get my own desk. Do you think Theodore will be jealous?”
I laughed. “Probably. You can have that one. It is your desk.”
Her head shook as she took a bite. “It is yours, and I won’t take it.” She paused as she chewed. “Do we have Luke’s number? I’m going to need to call and talk to him.”
Slowly, I nodded. “I have it, but I don’t know him yet. I haven’t had the chance to speak with him. I hear he used to be Everleigh Whitlock’s main bodyguard.”
“Whitlock. Bram Whitlock’s wife? The Council member?”
“That’s right.”
“Interesting,” Penelope said, lowly.
“She used to be a slave. Everleigh, she’s a… beast. A true warrior. The stories I’ve heard would shock you.”
Interest flickered in Penelope’s eyes. “Is that right? What sort of stories?”
“She escaped Whitlock.” I paused. “That was their Order, before the Gardens. Bram was the Main Master there. He almost died. His best friend, West, tried to kill him so he could take his spot. He was in love with Everleigh, too. Needless to say, Bram didn’t die, and came back, reclaiming his position.
By then, so much had changed. Everleigh ended up escaping, and Bram spent a long time trying to track her down. ”
I laughed, continuing. “He had scouts out searching the world for her. She always found them and would send them back to Whitlock in a white box with a red bow for Bram. I heard he went crazy for a while there. Needless to say, it only got worse after that.
Penelope’s hand rested at her mouth, but the fascination was there.
“Everleigh and Bram’s story is intense, but they made it out alive, mostly thanks to Gavin Draper from Red Island.
That wife we thought Redmond had killed…
that was Layla, a slave Everleigh rescued.
And she’s alive. Gavin fell in love with her and…
well… it’s a long story, but Gavin did save them.
It’s quite the tale. I only wish I knew more. ”
Penelope nodded.
“Me too. I’m so happy Layla’s story didn’t turn out as we feared. As for Everleigh. She sounds strong. I want to meet her.”
I laughed. “Perhaps soon. I do believe she’ll be at King Lawrence’s ball with Bram and Elec.”
“Elec. The Main Master for The Garden of the Gods. The hypnotist.”
“That’s right. They’ll all be there.”
Penelope’s face fell as she stared down, eating more.
“You’re thinking something.”
She glanced up.
“Yes.” A conflicted expression drew in her features.
“I would love to meet them but.” She stopped.
“Would you be horribly upset if I didn’t go to the ball?
I really don’t want to see King Lawrence.
After our last conversation, I think it could make things worse.
I think maybe with you there, it would be best for me to be at The Order, just so one of us is here. ”
Relief flooded me, and I felt like the weight of mountains lifted from my shoulders.
“Upset? More like relieved. The last thing I want is for you to be around that bastard. I think you staying here is for the best. You’ll be protected here, and that’ll make the night go by so much easier.
I hate that I even have to go. I’m not sure what he expects to get out of it.
Especially now that you’ve relinquished your title and have made it clear that you will not be with him.
Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll cancel.”
“I wish.” Penelope pushed back her plate.
“King Lawrence isn’t going to let this go.
Something bad is brewing… I can feel it.
I just don’t know what it is.” She brought my computer to life.
“Show me how to bring up surveillance. I want to see the new video from this alarm. Something isn’t right. I plan to figure out what it is.”