Page 129 of Uncrowned

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Wow. Memories.” She grabbed a book called, Slade, pulling the paperback free.

“Start here. Just… protect that book with your life, Penny. To the death.”

My mind raced as I looked at the entwined couple on the front. “I will. I promise. You should probably get going.”

“Yeah.”

She turned, heading back for her room. I followed, watching her grow antsy and even paler through her thoughts. What was happening? Marian was shaken. Affected like I’d never seen.

I looked down at the book, glancing back up to her.

“Marian, are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m great.”

She zipped up her suitcase, turning to face me. Multiple expressions flashed, and her breath came out shaky.

“Penny…” Her hand came to rest on her stomach. Seconds stretched out as she shifted. I wasn’t sure if she was going to cry or be sick. I’d never seen her so rattled before. And she kept looking at the book. Fear. She was afraid, but of what?

“Why don’t you pack and come with me?”

My heart all but stopped through disbelief.

“Me? Go to Florida?” This wasn’t right. It was reckless. What was she hiding? I was breathless as I forced out the obvious, weak “Penelope” response, even if I didn’t want to. “But I have to work. The agents said⁠—”

“Katia knows you’re safe with me. Besides, I’m the boss,” she smiled. Pleaded? “You said so yourself. Come to Miami with me.”

She wasn’t just afraid, she was terrified, and even if it made me the worst person in the world, I wasn’t going to let her forget it.

Come…?

Oh, I was going to Miami, alright, and I might never leave.

CHAPTER 44

Vaughn

“You’re smiling.”

“What?”

“You’re smiling.”

My face sobered as I turned away from the jet’s window, looking across from me to throw Theodore a look. His knuckles were white as he held to the arms of his chair.

“You’re mistaken.”

“Nope—Fuck.” The plane bounced slightly as it landed on the tarmac. Theodore’s eyes squeezed as we began to slow. “I hate planes. Have I ever told you how much I fucking hate planes? Don’t ever say I’m not loyal to you. Shit.”

I couldn’t keep the smile from resurfacing.

The sun was bright.

The sky was blue.

Penelope… would soon be mine again.