61. Vaughn
Vaughn
“Teams are waiting instruction. What would you like them to do, Sire?”
I took in the Reeve who was dressed and eating lunch with his second, Wallace, who was sitting on the opposite side of us. Able’s arm was still in a sling, but he hadn’t suffered any major damage from the two shots. I kept my voice low as my glare narrowed even more.
“It’s been almost twenty-four hours. We’re done waiting for a response. Burn it down. All of it.”
“The entire palace?”
My eyes lowered, and the fury only grew. “The palace, every property Lawrence owns. We’ll eventually find where he’s held up with Penelope. He can’t run if he has nowhere to go.”
“Done.” Able nodded.
The anger was there in his agreement. We were all bullets, ready to target and kill anyone who got in our path.
The Order was moving in the shadows as Council Members came and went.
With the king’s bed burning, they knew we were behind it.
But even though they ran this place, they were quickly seeing they didn’t rule us.
I did. And I wasn’t budging with where I stood.
I.
Was.
King.
All they could do was accept that and figure out a way to orchestrate it to the public. I wasn’t going to break my back to prove anything anymore. They knew evidence existed and where the hell it was. They could come up with whatever story they wanted, so long as they made it happen.
“I have a meeting. I better see something on the news soon.”
The Reeve was already lifting his phone, gesturing to Wallace as they both responded.
I took in the Great Hall, keeping my steps fast as I headed for the exit.
They were every bit as heavy and menacing as I felt.
I reached into my pocket, pulling out my phone.
I hit Lawrence’s number, hanging up at the voicemail that immediately cut on.
Nothing.
His phone was still off.
He didn’t appear to be staying at any of the properties we’d checked so far.
Before I could make it out of the Great Hall, I had to wave away a food tray from a slave who raced forward.
I surged into the hall, turning and winding deeper.
Bram’s head was peeking out between two guards at the doors of my War Room.
It had my brows drawing in. I didn’t wait as I took off running towards him.
“What is it? Did you find her?”
He held the door open for me as I slowed and headed inside.
“Maybe. Luke and Everleigh called early. Come see what you think.”
Nausea twisted my stomach as I moved into a jog, coming to stop before one of the large screen monitors.
“Luke. Everleigh.” They were both on video, their icons small compared to the live footage that was projected. “What did you find?”
Luke waved his hand. “Well, two things, actually. Let’s start with the first. And mind you, this is not current footage. The feed is delayed by half an hour. Maybe longer. It comes in choppy, but what we need is movement. This location in Esher has it.”
My head shook, confused. I stepped in, watching for seconds as I saw nothing. Then, the smallest blur had my lips parting as I moved in closer.
“Someone’s in the window.”
“Yes, now watch as I speed up the feed.”
My heart raced as a brunette man in a gardener’s uniform began to walk through the large front yard, taking in the privacy fence that surrounded the small estate.
From the arial shot, I could see another man step from a small shed in the back, wearing the same uniform.
But these men did not appear to be gardeners.
They were young. Fit. And they were watching everything but the landscaping.
The blond-haired man took in the back of the fence, starting to walk the length as he scanned everything.
“They’re doing surveillance.”
“Not just them,” Everleigh said, moving the view out even more. She put the focus on the street.
“Watch the road. The same two cars circle every few minutes. Do you see that white repair van three houses down?”
I nodded eagerly.
“In about fifteen seconds, you’re going to see the car pull up and a man step from the van and talk to the two people in the car. We’ve recorded times. They’re all on a schedule.”
“I’m going.”
Bram’s hand lifted. At my head cocking to the side, he let his palm pulse.
“Wait until you see the next video they have. This place may be a distraction. There’s another.”
A small growl left me.
The video changed, and I took it in. It was of a large manor, and I knew it immediately.
“That’s Rosemoor. They’re not there.”
Luke stopped moving the feed.
“How do you know?”
“The place technically belongs to Penelope. Lawrence and I have already met there. He’d never take her back there to hide from me.
It would be too obvious. Besides, the new horse trainer is mine.
If the king or Penelope were there, he would have let me know immediately.
” I took a step closer. “They’re in Esher, and I’m going to get her.
” I paused, taking in Luke and Everleigh.
“I can’t thank you both enough. I won’t forget this. I swear I won’t.” Turning to Bram, I let out a deep breath. His hands lifted in surrender. “This is all you. The Council will not interfere. I’ll get your team the schedule for his surveillance team and guards.”
Pressure gripped my shoulder, and I faced Theodore and Elec who’d been sitting back quietly. Theodore’s eyes were hard as he took me in.
“What do you want me to do?”
Before I could talk, Elec’s hand slowly lifted.
“May I?”
“Sure.”
He nodded, looking between me and Theo.
“Allow him to stay with me. I’ll prepare things. He wants this George fellow. I’m assuming you still want my help with Lawrence?”
I took in blue eyes.
“Yes. I want him to suffer.”
“We’ll be here. Gather your men.”
Nodding, I pointed to the two guards at the door as I approached. “Call Wallace and The Reeve. It’s time to gun up. We have a location. I want the best men we’ve got.”
“Then, you want me, Sire. I have special tactical training. And I want to be there for our queen. I’ve put in numerous times to be on her detail. I’m just waiting for her new personal guard to be chosen.”
“Make the call and start getting ready. I want to leave as fast as possible.”
“Right away.”
I unbuttoned my jacket and shirt, shrugging them off as I headed to the table that held my own gear.
I put on a black fitted shirt, grabbing the vest and relishing in the weight as I strapped it on.
I picked up the black tactical pants, not even caring as I unbuckled my belt, kicking off the dress shoes and slacks.
My mind was only on one thing… Penelope.
How was she?
Was she hurt?
Afraid?
Had he crossed the line—
I couldn’t go there. Maybe because after the emails, I feared I knew the answer. He’d already pushed the limits on her personal space before. He’d poisoned her. Drugged her. Touched her. Caressed her. Had he done it again? Gone further this time?
Guards began to pile in as I slid on the boots and holstered my weapons. Wallace quickly headed up and the Reeve followed.
“We have a location?”
“It appears so.” I glanced over at the Reeve, nodding to Elec in the distance. “Get The Magister and Judic ready, just in case. I’m taking Wallace and two teams with me. If Elec Wexler asks you for anything, you give it to him. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sire.”
“You and Wallace head over to the monitor with your leads and let Luke walk you through what they’ve found. Devise a plan. I’ll be back. Have everyone ready to go when I return.”
Able stepped in closer, lowering his voice. “The previous order—”
I didn’t need him to continue. “Nothing has changed. Burn them all, minus the house in Esher.”
He gave a sharp nod, heading for Bram and the monitors. I turned, keeping a steady pace as I left the Throne Room. I turned down halls, making my way to mine and Penelope’s room. I shut myself inside, leaning against the barrier as I closed my eyes.
Heartbeats hit hard.
Screams and yells wanted to come.
The need to destroy everything around me was a feeling I couldn’t escape. My mind said, time. In time I would have Lawrence. In time, I could make him pay. In time, his life would be mine. That did nothing to extinguish the violence within.
A good minute passed as I tried to get control of it.
Two.
Three.
More…
Knocking had my lids lifting, and I turned, opening the door. Serious eyes were narrowed, and Elec lifted an eyebrow. His hand came out and it took me a moment to make sense of what he was holding.
“You haven’t eaten anything. You need strength. Eat it while you tell me what you’re going to do for Penelope.”
Confusion had me shaking my head.
“…Do for her?”
Elec pushed the sandwich into my hand, and I took a bite as he strolled in. I shut the door, turning to face him.
“Let’s not pretend we don’t know what she could be going through. If anyone knows, it’s us. She’s going to need you. A lot. She’s going to need more than that.”
I could barely swallow but managed as he headed to the dresser, picking up a gold brush, turning it in his hold as he picked up the matching handheld mirror.
“I will support whatever Penelope feels is best.”
He made a sound. “You could do that.”
I took another bite as he continued.
“Or you could let me handle it. I could fly in a medical team. They’d be here by morning.
As for her mental care, I can help… ease the trauma she’s experienced.
Not forget,” he rushed out. “Not unless you’d prefer that.
” His mouth twisted. “But I am a doctor in this sort of thing. What’s she’s likely experienced.
” He got quiet. “I don’t think I need to tell you the side effects.
I will help both of you however you need. ”
“You’d do all that for us? Why?”
A multitude of emotions flashed over his face.
“When I first met you here at The Order, I hated you. I thought you were a thug on a power trip. But… you let Drayton and Marion leave with me. What you did, it changed Marion. With the darkness, you actually helped her. You weren’t completely selfish in your actions.
” He paused. “I understood it. And I saw something else too. I saw through your mask while I was here. Penelope’s as well.
” He swallowed hard. “You love each other. The true kind of love. I loved like that once. … I was happy… and I had a child on the way. But—” His head gave a hard shake.
He placed the brush and mirror down. Again, he pointed to the sandwich, and I took a big bite despite it was almost impossible to chew or swallow.
“It’d be a damn shame to watch you both lose that love because of this. I want to help.”
“Thank you. I think we’re going to need it. I think—Penelope.” My head lowered. “She has to be okay because if she’s not.” I stopped, but Elec came forward.
“Penelope is strong. I’ve seen that. The way she handles The Order.” He forced a smile. “She’s a fighter. If anyone can get through this, it’s her. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she’s okay. I’ll fly in my team. We’ll get her the best care. You have my word.”
I nodded, studying his eyes.
“I feel I’m going to be forever indebted to you.”
He laughed. “Possibly. Then again, someday you may end up helping me as well. Let’s not think of that now. You came here for something.”
I finished off the sandwich, already feeling more energy as I headed to the closet.
I opened the secret case in the wall, taking out the fake signet ring I’d had photographed and stolen from Lawrence’s underground room at the palace.
I slid it on my middle finger, reaching in to grab the black iron circlet as well.
I looked in the small mirror, easing the thin, dark band over my head.
When I turned to face Elec, he bowed his head, cutting his eyes up to meet mine.
“Your Majesty.”
“It’s time.”
He stepped back, and I shut the case, turning and heading out of the closet.
“You know they’ve chosen.”
I looked over to him as we left the room.
“Bram didn’t say anything.”
“He doesn’t have to. I have my own sources.”
I slowed, but I didn’t come to a complete stop. “I’m king?”
Elec couldn’t contain his smile. “You’re king. I’m sure they’ll tell you soon.” He pointed at my hand. “Don’t lose that fake signet ring. I’m guessing they’re going to want it back for their story.”
I picked up my pace.
“They can find it in the ashes of what’s left of the palace. Tonight, the past dies for good.”