Page 5 of Unmasked

For the first time… I wasn’t sure if I was the one shaping her anymore.

CHAPTER 2

Penelope

“We start small. Not an event. Nothing planned. It’s a short walk to the twenty-four-hour bakery on the corner. There are a handful of reporters outside waiting to see if I make an exit. I keep four men with me—Able, Mark, Kip, and Steven. It’ll take ten minutes to get there. Not only does it make a statement to those watching, but we might get lucky and draw them out. At least enough to mark them so we can start tracking to see who they are.” I kept the emotion from my face as I took in the guards. “And if we’re lucky, she’ll appear.”

Able was just as serious as me as he gave a stiff nod.

“It’s smart. I approve.”

“I’ll grab my purse.”

His mouth parted. “Ms. Penelope, it was a test to gauge whether you were capable of making decisions on your wellbeing.”

“And you said I passed. I want to go to the bakery and get a muffin. Marian and I went every day at two o’clock. I’m almost four hours late.”

The men looked amongst themselves, shrugging and turning their attention to their leader, Able, who seemed to think about it. Finally, he nodded.

“It will make a statement like you mentioned, and we’ll have to pass the other team’s townhome along the way. It’s a good option in case something goes wrong, not to mention they’ll have an aerial view. I’ll notify them. A few can take their place in the bakery and along the way. The others can stay put. It’ll be a good exercise if all goes well. Mark, call and prepare them.”

Did I want to smile? Yes. Did I give in? No. The hesitation alone was enough to stop me. It wasn’t time to smile. It was time to prove myself, which is exactly what I’d been doing now for days. To have Vaughn, to live a life with him, safety and strategy were nonnegotiable.

This wasn’t a simple walk to the bakery. Life wasn’t simple anymore. It wasn’t meant to be.

I was a target. That would never end so long as I was with Vaughn. He needed a queen, and I needed to prove that I had what it took to step into that role.

“It’s settled. A muffin run will at least give Rose a break from baking. I should really hire some more help. I think she could use it.”

“Noted,” Able said, following me out of the training room to head downstairs. “We have trusted connections for this sort of thing. I’ll call The Reeve when we return so that he can reach out to our contacts.”

“Perfect.”

I slowed as we made it to the foyer, taking my time. My brow creased, and I turned, looking at the group of men who were making their way down the stairs.

“You mentioned the other townhome having an aerial view. Should we be doing that too? What if someone sees us leave and tries to break in or⁠—"

Able pointed to the top of the landing. “Damon and Jorge’s job is to stay on top of surveillance. The rest will pull guard, two on each floor until we return.”

“That works.” I reached over, grabbing my small purse that was resting on the table near the entrance.

The four guards stepped in, but it was Able who tilted his head and met my stare.

“Remember your lessons on answering the press. Keep it short. If anyone attempts anything, you do not react. You leave it to us. Only fight if you have no choice. Never let anyone know what you’re capable of. What they don’t suspect is what will be their downfall. You’re Penelope.” His voice was calm. “Passive. Quiet. Victim. Let them believe that,” he continued. “Let them doubt and underestimate you. What they don’t see or know… is what will destroy them.”

I took a deep inhale, nodding as I stared at the door.

They were out there. Not many, but enough.

The press. Maybe SLB in the distance.

Waiting.

I wasn’t a mystery to society; I was a question they hadn’t gotten answers to.

I was the taken. The daughter to a title long gone—a duchess if the king willed it.

Penelope Taylor was somebody. They had no idea just how true that was.