Page 134 of Unmasked

I stiffened the smallest amount. Just hearing the words sent my anxiety skyrocketing again. But she was right. I loved her, and this was her role, not mine.

“Let’s go.”

I stood, taking Penelope’s hand, leaving the table as Mr. Prescott approached. Turning, I didn’t lead us towards my study. I kept it business, leading us to the Gathering Room.

The moment we were inside, I gestured for the table, watching as he walked around and took his seat.

“Penelope will attend our meetings from now on. Her first trial is tomorrow. We have faith she’ll pass.”

“Of course.”

He nodded and Penelope and I took our seat across from him.

“What happened?”

His face hardened. He took out his phone sliding it to the middle of the table.

“Penelope must call King Lawrence.”

I grabbed the phone, pushing it back in his direction.

“She will not.”

He looked at her.

“You must call. And it has to be on my phone so that it is recorded and patched into The Council in real time.”

“Wait.” I looked between them. “What the hell is happening?”

“It’s just for precautionary measures. Some discrepancies have come up. We’re covering all bases.”

Penelope’s head tilted down, only to come back up as she took in Mr. Prescott.

“I will call.” She paused, glancing at me. “His behavior is getting out of hand. They have to at least hear how bad it’s getting.”

My jaw set, but I nodded as she picked up Mr. Prescott’s phone. She hit his number, putting it on speakerphone and placing it on the table between us.

Only one ring sounded before King Lawrence’s voice growled through.

“What?”

Penelope’s eyes were round as she jerked her gaze to mine.

“It’s me.”

A pause.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize the number. It says ‘Unknown’.”

She shifted in her chair. “It’s a private phone.”

“I see.” He let out a deep breath, but his anger didn’t lessen. “You hung up on me. You turned off your phone.”

“You asked me to kill someone so you could watch. That is not a normal question for someone to ask. I needed time to adjust. Besides, I didn’t like your repeated messages. What you said isn’t true about me and Vaughn. I love him. I’ve told you that. You don’t listen.”

“Because I see what you can’t. You don’t love him⁠—”

“I do. I keep telling you that.”