Page 107 of Uncrowned

Reeve: Smart. Your followers will trail behind.

I didn’t bother to answer or argue. I didn’t want to be followed, but now that I had stepped into my position as High Master and The Unavowed, there was no going back. Privacy didn’t exist anymore. It couldn’t. If I needed help, it would be there.

Two guards rested ahead, and I nodded, heading up the stairs and exiting The Order. The private underground parking garage opened up, and I left the darkness of the small room to step into the dim lighting of the parking spaces. I unlocked my car, climbing in and starting it.

How many times had I said, call Penelope? How many times had I sat in this very seat and listened to her talk for hours?

My jaw clenched as I threw it in drive and squeezed into the steering wheel. As I wound around and emerged into the light of day, I couldn’t stop from calculating a way to see her.

I wasn’t used to not getting my way. What I wanted was mine. What I wanted was her.

CHAPTER 36

Penelope

“Chicken nuggets and French fries. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Mac and cheese. Pizza.” Marian laughed as we loaded our plates with food. We were at the restaurant again, our favorite place lately. “This is not a meal, it’s a feast. The most random feast to ever be.”

I held up a fork full of potatoes. “But it is ours, and we will eat it all.”

We laughed, and I tried to let myself enjoy my moment with Marian. I was sick over wondering when Katia was going to show up and cart me away to some new location. The fact that it had been a few hours since the delivery gave me hope, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Someone would come, and when they did, I’d be ready.

“Oh my God.” Marian’s eyes rolled in bliss. “The pizza. Taste the pizza. I swear it’s like I’m home in Chicago again.”

I took a bite, my eyes flaring through the flavors that burst over my tongue. “So good.” I chewed, shaking my head. “I have no words. This is heaven.”

“Right! I swear, this is seriously the best thing ever.”

“I’m going to eat this every night,” I managed, taking another big bite. “Seriously sinful.”

“Hotdogs.” Marian paused, chewing. “From Chicago. I’m going to show you⁠—”

The smile melted from her face, and I watched her mask slide into place. A man I’d seen a handful of times came through the door, heading right for us. He was older with salt and pepper hair, and he was wearing a suit. My hands trembled but I clenched them under the table.

“Elliot.” Marian straightened in the chair. “Is everything okay?”

“A word, please?”

I felt my hand come out at his look towards me. Marian stood, and so did I.

“I couldn’t help but notice the look. I’m sorry, if it’s about me, I’d very much like to hear it.”

Marian looked between us, hesitating before she nodded.

“There’s a man downstairs. He’s a lawyer—barrister,” he corrected. “He specializes in criminal law. Goes by the name Theodore Hart.” My pulse jumped. “He has a box he claims is Ms. Taylor’s. He refuses to hand it over to anyone but her. He says she knows him. He’s using legal jargon. Says he’s worried about her and is threatening to take action if she doesn’t appear.”

Marian turned towards me.

“Do you know this man?”

I swallowed back the fear. I didn’t personally know Mr. Hart, but I had heard him mentioned from my father during all of his legal battles. And if he was connected in society, he could be a Master from The Order.

“I do. I would like to see him, please.”

Multiple expressions played on Marian’s face.

“I should call Katia.”

My hand came up. “I won’t be leaving with him. I just… I want to see him. I’ve been so disconnected from my friends. I—” Tears came, and I embraced the desperation within. “I’ve lost everything. Seeing Theodore, I just need some sense of home, please.”