Page 132 of Uncrowned

At the woman’s gaze up, Marian followed… and she froze. It had intrigue blossoming as Drayton stepped in closer to her. He may have worn a smile, but I saw the lust that mixed with hate as he addressed her.

As the dark-haired woman walked away, Marian and Penelope tried to flee, but it was Drayton who wasn’t allowing them to. More, I moved in closer, watching him challenge Marian as she kept stepping back. It appeared they were arguing, but she nodded, looking over to Penelope, who didn’t appear very happy either.

When Penelope stepped back and said something firmly to Marian, I almost headed in her direction. Had it not been for her moving in to take Quinton’s arm, I would have. The sight stopped me in my tracks. The weight of the knife beneath my suit’s jacket suddenly felt heavier. Blood. All I wanted to do was spill blood as Penelope headed back to the restaurant with the good-looking man who couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

CHAPTER 45

Penelope

Had I thought I was the only one wrapped in boyfriend drama?

Marian’s unraveling yesterday had me watching her in a new light. In fascination. I’d seen the dedication at the front of the book she’d let me borrow.

To Marian and Drayton, the cutest couple I’ve ever seen.

But… wow.

I had not expected there to be a story about false allegations, drugs, and mystery surrounding the woman who’d become my best friend. I was quickly seeing that just because her future may rest with Bastian Allard, her heart did not.

Marian and Drayton had spent hours talking on the phone after we’d ran into them in the lobby. They talked for so long, I’d fallen asleep to Marian’s giggles. When I awoke in the morning, she was already dressed and pacing. They were planning to meet at the book convention. For what… I didn’t know, but I was excited for her.

She loved Drayton. That was obvious, but she also feared seeing him because of how messy their past was.

As we walked around the book signing, I wasn’t the only one searching him out. We’d already been walking around for hours. He still hadn’t appeared. I was beginning to fear he wasn’t coming… and so was she.

“I don’t like how quiet you are, Marian. Are you sure you’re okay?”

She forced a grin. “Of course. Let’s go check on Jenn. Her assistant was struggling with the large crowd when we passed. We already hit up all the tables. Let’s go see if they need help.”

Just the thought of seeing Jenn again made me happy. I never expected to like Marian’s dark romance book, but I was obsessed. It reminded me of Vaughn… Of the dangerous, hot moments we’d shared together.

“Do you think he’ll come?” I couldn’t help but ask as Marian looked around. It took her a good minute to respond.

“I don’t know. The signing has already been going on for a while. Drayton’s never been one to be late. He probably came to his senses and already headed home.”

“Maybe he can’t get in. You saw Bastian outside when we walked up.” I couldn’t help the concern that laced my words.

After Bastian saw me walking into the restaurant with Quinton, a barrage of people stood. They were guards dressed as hotel guests. The entire place went crazy and so had Bastian. Especially when we’d all walked up on them kissing—a kiss Drayton had stolen from Marian. That only had her stepping between the two men as things got heated. Drayton made the comment that he and Marian weren’t over. Now, Bastian was outside the signing just sitting in the lobby while readers came in and out.

“You should have seen all his guards. I don’t see how Drayton would make it up here, Marian.”

“Drayton said there were a lot, but he has my number now, and he’s able to actually call it. If he can’t make it inside, I’m sure he’ll let me know. If not…”

She didn’t continue. She shrugged, and I threw her a sympathetic look. A squeal from a woman had me looking up, and I felt my feet plant. Time stopped. I held to Marian in a death grip.

“Penny? What is it? Penelope?”

The forcefulness of her voice had me shaking my head back and forth. I searched the room in a panic.

“He’s—I saw—I think—” I pulled her two steps forward almost causing her to fall.

“He, who?”

“I saw—I think—There was a mask. Behind that big logo—” I pointed a few tables over and jumped as a figure stepped around the author’s banner, swooping in to grab a reader. They squealed, and I clutched to Marian as the taller one spun the blonde-haired girl around in a circle. It was clear from the dark, long curls that were peeking out from the back that it was a woman who was wearing the mask.

“Oh, Penny, that mask is from a horror movie⁠—

“I know but…I…I…”