53. Penelope
Penelope
“That’s the second time you took the last scone. Penelope, when did you take it? I’ve been sitting right here the entire time. I looked at the board for only a moment.” Theodore’s head shook. “Do you do this to Vaughn, too? Steal his food like that?”
I chewed, shrugging but wincing at the pain in my back as I moved a pawn forward on the chess board.
“Guess you’re just going to have to call for another plate.”
He seemed to think, shaking his head. “I’ve had so much sugar. I’m already going to be up all night. I swear, I’ve gained ten pounds since I’ve come here.”
“You were too skinny before. It looks good on you.”
Theodore smiled. “Really? You think so?”
“I do.” I glanced to the monitor of different cameras, taking in the time and debating on walking back to mine and Vaughn’s room to grab one of my pain relievers.
I told Vaughn I would, but they made me tired.
I didn’t like that. “How has it only been an hour? This is going to be the longest night ever.”
“Forget about that. Tell me more about how good I look.”
I laughed. “Do you not already have half the women of London begging for your attention? Don’t pretend you don’t. I’ve seen the news articles. You’re a sensation.”
“Thanks to you,” he emphasized. “Apparently dating a woman who becomes a duchess and then relinquishes the title does something for status. But now you’re engaged to Vaughn, and moving on with him so quickly, so I’m the brokenhearted ex that apparently needs consoling.
Oh, and healing since my attack. I don’t mind it. It’s good for the ego.”
“Well, you’re welcome. I’m glad it’s working in your favor.”
Again, I glanced at the clock.
“The time isn’t going to jump just because you’re looking at it. If anything, it’s going to go slower.”
“I hate him there with King Lawrence. The man is insufferable.”
Theodore moved a pawn forward.
“If it makes you feel any better, I have full confidence in Vaughn. He knows what he’s doing. The man is a strategizing genius.” Theo paused. “Hey, have you played chess against him? I bet he’s wicked good.”
I went to say something when quick movement in my peripheral had me turning to the monitor. I zeroed in on the bottom left corner of the screen where I’d seen it, narrowing my eyes as I waited for more movement. It was the east entrance, mainly used by the guards.
“I think I’m going to ask him—”
My hand came up, and Theodore got quiet, moving in closer to look at the screen.
“What is it?”
“I… thought I saw something. Movement. The guard should have gone through where I could see him. I don’t.”
I picked up the phone, pressing the Reeve’s number, only for me to realize it wasn’t dialing. I pushed harder against the digits, but no sound came through. I flew from the chair, grabbing my cell and racing for the door. The four guards outside jumped to attention.
“The landline is out. Possible intruder at the east entrance. Call it in.”
Theodore’s arm looped around my waist, pulling me back towards the inside of the study.
“Theo, what are you doing?”
“What Vaughn told me to do.” Theo’s voice was deep as he pointed to the guards. “Whatever you do, do not let anyone but The Unavowed past this door. I’m bolting her in—”
“You are not!” I jerked from his grasp. “I am the Queen of The Order. I can’t hide. I’ve been trained for this. You go and bolt yourself inside. I have to do my job.”
“Vaughn gave me specific instructions, and I will not disobey them.”
He came at me again, but my hand shot up, blocking and pushing him back. I withheld the cry that wanted to come at my fast action. “Here you take your orders from me. Get in that room, Theodore, and call Vaughn. I’m going to figure out what’s happening.”
I spun, jogging towards the Great Hall with my guards flanking behind me.
“Did you get ahold of the Reeve? Where is he?”
“He’s headed with men to the east entrance now, My Queen.”
My fingers were pushing buttons on my phone, bringing up the cameras. I jolted to a stop at what I saw, hearing popping in the far distance. I could see a team of men racing and shooting in the south entrance.”
“The east was a distraction. They’re coming in the south—” More pops rang out behind me as I spun. “And the north. Fuck. Call it in to the Reeve now!” I was already dialing Vaughn’s cell as I raced more into the Great Hall. “Have everyone hold them off but make their way here.”
The guards were quickly relaying my messages over their radio. Ringing had me shifting on my feet. Vaughn wasn’t answering. Were they going after him as well?
I hung up, hitting Mr. Prescott’s number. On the second ring, music broke through.
“Penelope?”
Louder shots had me crouching to take the extra gun in my guard’s ankle holster.
“We have a massive breach by men in tactical gear. The east, south, and north entrance. Get Vaughn and get your asses back over here now!”
Guards were rushing up, moving in close as I quickly hung up the phone.
“Divide. I want two guards at each side of every entrance,” I shouted. “They are not to get into this room. I want them dead. You aim for the head—”
Warmth sprayed across my face, and red blanketed my vision.
The guard closest to me dropped to my feet, nearly knocking me down as his weight fell into my legs.
My speech faltered, but my instincts had me spinning and aiming the gun for the side door.
A man in black, wearing a helmet with expensive gear mounted to it, had anger racing through me.
I didn’t wait as I pulled the trigger, letting one hit his helmet.
He stumbled, bumping into another man in black.
They were shooting.
We were shooting.
Hands were on me, pulling me back.
The sound was deafening, and ringing was all I heard as sound completely disappeared. I knew I was yelling at whoever had me, but I wasn’t sure they heard any better than I did. I twisted, bearing my weight down as I turned, seeing Theodore.
“Dammit. I said stay in the room!”
He was wincing. He couldn’t hear any more than I could.
And the shots kept coming. My guards were dropping, and Theo was pulling me again towards the stairs.
Just as we started to head up, men in black came rushing down.
I fisted Theodore’s shirt, forcing him back from where we’d come.
Before I could pull him towards the slave hall, we were being surrounded.
Voices wavered, breaking through the ringing. It was hollow. Echoing, sounding so far away.
“You son of a bitch!”
Theodore lunged, and it was only then I saw it under the helmet. The man—the one I knew as George. It had me ripping Theodore back with all my strength. If I didn’t, he was dead. This time for good.
Tears burned my eyes at the pain in my back, but I pushed it away as I faced the man who had his eyes right on mine. “I believe you’re here for me.”
I could barely hear myself speak.
“If you let him leave this room to wait in my study, I will go with you, and I will not fight.” I paused, narrowing my eyes at George.
“But if you hurt him, I will kill you before we make it aboveground. I think somewhere deep inside you, you know I’m telling the truth.
” I turned to Theodore. “You will wait in the study.”
“Like hell—”
“You will wait in the study. As your queen I demand it.”
My tone was so deep and thick, it had Theodore’s jaw flexing repeatedly. He shook his head. “I can’t—”
The gun shifted in my hand, and I brought the butt down hard against Theodore’s head. He collapsed to the ground, and sickness swarmed within me.
“Now he’s not a threat. Shall we be on our way?”
George took my gun, throwing it as he latched to my injured bicep, pulling me toward the main entrance.
The men surrounding us were firing… and dropping.
More of my guards were arriving, but George was pulling me so fast we were practically running.
I looked behind, counting the guards remaining. We turned down a hall. Another.
If a few more died… I could try and finish them myself. I was injured, but I could still fight. I had to try.
Seven.
Another hall.
Four.
A turn.
My men were catching up. They were coming out of side halls.
Three.
I jerked from George’s hold, feeling arms from one of the guards behind me wrap around my chest. Pain had me screaming.
He tried pulling me forward, but I twisted, slipping out of his grasp and kicking him square in the stomach as he threw himself right at me.
Orders echoed from George as he yelled out.
Turning to the next guard, I lunged. New pain flared before I could reach him, stabbing into my shoulder.
I only saw the wires for a moment before my body locked up, crumbling as it convulsed through the surge of electricity.
I tried to scream, thrashing through the jolts.
A pinch from a syringe registered in my arm and colors blurred.
The taser stopped and reality faded as I was scooped up.
We were running. I knew that. But every second I was getting further away.
And every shot didn’t bring my new captor down.
It was just me and him… and he was fast. Too fast as we slipped further away from The Order.