Page 131 of Uncrowned

Torture. That’s what it felt like when we weren’t together. But not for her. Penelope was going to fight me with everything she had. Maybe she even hated me. As much as I wanted to say it didn’t matter, it did. I couldn’t be without her. I didn’t want to be king if she wasn’t at my side. I would, but I didn’t want to.

The SUV approached the large hotel and I pointed. “Don’t take me through the garage. I’m going through the front.”

An uneasy quiet settled in the SUV with the three guards who rode with us. One immediately radioed in the other two SUVs that followed behind.

“You sure about that?” Theodore looked nervous as he looked around to the other men in the vehicle.

“We’re going through the front doors.” I glanced to The Reeve’s second who was in the front passenger seat. “Abel, you can check us in. We’ll stay close, but we post up and get eyes everywhere. According to Dale, Bastian’s traitor lead-guard who is helping us, he’s given orders for their men to observe but keep their distance. It’s time we put him to the test and see just how much we can trust him.”

“I don’t like it,” Theodore ground out. “It’s too dangerous. What if Elliot⁠—”

My lids narrowed at the name, and Theodore stopped. “I don’t even know why I ask. We’re going to kill him.”

“You’re going to kill him. Take some men and get it over with.” I smiled. “I am going to keep an eye out for my queen. Tonight, we’ll meet back up in my room and come up with a plan. I want to be alone for a while.”

The SUV eased through the valet line. The moment it stopped, I opened the door, getting out. Theodore and three SUVs of my guards moved in as I headed through the automatic doors, slowing as I looked around the busy lobby.

Able headed for the front desk, and the other men began dispersing into the crowd to take their place to watch over me. I spotted Bastian’s guards immediately, watching them shift as they noticed us. One even spoke into his mic, but they didn’t move.

“Well.” Theo pointed to Able in the distance. “I’ll be in the room changing. I’m sure as hell not going to take out a professional killer in these shoes. If I die, I expect some sort of park or university named after me.”

“I’ll do you one better than that. But I forbid you to die. We’re too damn close to getting back the Crown. I haven’t been training you for nothing.”

“I am turning into quite the badass. I may actually not die, just get my ass handed to me.”

“You better not.”

Theo winked and bowed his head the smallest amount. “I’ll see you tonight.” He looked across the lobby at the multiple guards from The Order watching over me. “Be careful.”

“I’m always careful.”

“Mmhmm.”

Theo threw me a look, turning and meeting Able as they headed deeper into the hotel. I moved to the far side of the lobby, ignoring the fact that I was being watched by nearly all of my men. They weren’t going to let me out of their sight no matter what I ordered them to do.

Heading to the far side of the room, I took a seat on a bench by the entrance to an upscale restaurant. I watched the people, scanning the couples, groups, and random singles. None were Penelope, and I knew at some point, if she came down, she’d appear at the elevators on the opposite side where I had a view. But would she be able to leave her hotel room?

It was questionable. I couldn’t shake that this could be a trap, either. As much as I didn’t think it was, I couldn’t be sure. Desperation wouldn’t let me accept it.

A good hour passed as my emotions went up and down. My mind raced with schemes and uncertainties. Everything faded as blue caught my eye. My attention went to the elevator, and air seized in my lungs as Penelope and Marian headed for the restaurant, both deep in conversation. Penelope smiled, and I felt myself scoot closer to the edge of the bench. I gripped to the wood underneath me, holding on with everything I had so I wouldn’t go after her.

Dark hair was loose and reaching to her elbows. It was longer than it had been when I took her. She appeared even more porcelain now. Pale but flawless. It had the rosy color of her lips and cheeks almost appearing painted on. And the blue. Had there ever been a more beautiful color on her? Her eyes practically glowed as she looked around. Even from as far away as I was, they seemed to dominate her face. I couldn’t see the exact color, but the brightness was like a magnet.

They took a seat, Penelope facing me. She appeared so happy… so… engrossed in whatever her and Marian were talking about. My awe faded, twisting with a sense of jealousy—abandonment? Was she so happy without me?

The questions came vanishing as I watched her straighten. A tinge of worry joined with something else and she faked a smile. Whatever she said had Marian turning to look behind her. I immediately saw her annoyance, following her gaze to her fiancé a few tables back. What the hell was that about? She’d almost appeared angry as she spun back to Penelope. More, they talked. My own envy dialed back as I got lost back in Penelope’s beauty.

For a few minutes, Penelope’s gaze traveled around the area but mostly stayed on her friend. Her eyes cut in my vicinity, and my heart nearly stopped as she jolted in surprise. Her excitement brought me confusion. She was looking by me, but not at me. I looked around the lobby, but only one thing stood out. A woman with dark hair streaked with gray, and two very large men. Men… I’d seen before during my research on Marian. But how did Penelope know about them?

As I tried to piece it together, the women were already rushing in my direction. Penelope’s giddiness had me seeing red as I tracked them. The closer they got, I was sure my queen would spot me. She was feet away, and she strolled right by me, straight to the front desk where the woman stood next to Drayton Pennington and his cousin Quinton.

Rape.

Marian had accused Drayton of it before, and now she was heading right for him? Looking… happy?

I stood, moving slowly across the room as I watched the scene unfold. Penelope’s shyness had her standing at Marian’s side, and I suddenly realized that it wasn’t the men the women were elated over… it was the woman. They weren’t even looking at the men through their excitement.

But it didn’t take long.