Page 159 of Unmasked

And she was giving it up.

No… she was giving me up. It had nothing to do with the work and everything to do with distancing herself from me.

My fists squeezed.

Yes. That had to be it. I made her question Vaughn’s hold over her. I made her feel something other than his suffocating grasp on her mind.

I’d fix her soon.

When I finally got my hands on Penelope, there’d be nothing left of Vaughn. I’d erase him from her mind completely until all she knew was me.

I turned, glaring at George.

“The ball is tonight. I will figure out a way to separate her from Vaughn, and you will take her. Do I make myself clear?

George shifted on his feet.

“I’m afraid that’s not going to work.” He paused as I took a step forward.

“Why?”

“Because, Sire, I checked the list before I headed up here. Ms. Taylor will not be attending tonight. She sent word in not an hour ago.”

“Not coming?” Heat blistered only to calm. My lips pulled back on the side, and my pulse spiked. “Not coming. She’s not coming. That’s actually… brilliant. It’ll work in our favor. She’ll be alone. We can easily get to her then.”

At his expression, my smile melted.

“What?”

“What if she’s not at home? What if she stays at The Order?”

“Then I guess you better find a way in to get her.”

“That’s impossible, Your Majesty. It would be a wasted mission. I can’t do it on my own. I’d need… at least two dozen men. At least. The Order’s numbers are staggering. And that’s just what I’ve seen. It’s like another world underground. It takes up a huge portion of the entire city.”

My eyes lowered, and my mind raced.

“Two dozen?”

“More, if you can spare them, but two dozen might work.”

Slowly, I nodded.

“You must not let anyone know you’re my men. Find guns somewhere else. Everything, down to the clothes the men wear should be untraceable. You get in, get her, and then you take her to Esher. Make sure there’s no survivors on our side. I do not want this getting out. Make sure it doesn’t.”

CHAPTER 52

Vaughn

“Maybe I should say to hell with King Lawrence and go. I’m not sure I should leave you alone. I know Mr. Prescott and The Council will be at the ball, but I’m torn. What if I’m worrying about The Order for nothing? Maybe we shouldn’t separate. I just… I can’t shake this feeling something is off.” Her brows drew in. “I should be there to protect you. Just in case.”

“Oh, love.” I stepped in, cupping her face. “You’re still recovering from the Trials. Can you not see the armor I’m wearing with this robe for Christ’s sake. I think I’ll be fine. There’s so much publicity and important people there, the last thing you need to worry about is me.” I paused, taking in the tears so close to spilling down her face. I knew the fear she felt. That sense of panic for events you couldn’t control. It was exactly what I felt concerning Scotland and Rosemoor.

“You’re worrying over our separation. We haven’t had the best track record when we’re apart. I’m safe. If anyone needs to worry, it’s me. But I’m not worried, because if someone tried to break into The Order, they wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Then why call Theodore to come stay with me?”

My mouth twisted. “You can never be too safe.”