Page 176 of Unmasked

“Penelope. I think… I… love you. I don’t think,” he rushed out. “I must, because I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything in my life as much as I’ve wanted you. Can’t you see? Can you try, just for a moment. Push Vaughn away. See me. See how much I want you. This.” He gestured to me. “You must see I’m serious about us.”

“You’re raping me.”

His head reared back as if I’d slapped him.

“I’m showing you my love. The first time…” His brow creased. “I guess that was rape towards the end.”

“No… All of it was… I said no. I meant it.” I swallowed hard, testing my fingers as they drew in. “You love me?”

His hand cupped my cheek, and his lips pushed hard into mine.

“I swear I do.”

“Then act… like it. Stop the drugs. … Clean me. I am a queen… not a whore.”

He swallowed hard and confliction had him growing quiet.

“I suppose it is time to get clean.”

“And feed me.”

“…Right.” He blinked through my orders.

I shifted my shoulders, trying to hide how I was getting stronger. Lawrence pulled out of me, turning to roll off the bed. As he headed into the adjoining bathroom, I fisted my hands as hard as I could. My fingers flexed, and I scanned the room for some sort of weapon. I wasn’t even sure I could stand on my own, but I had to try something.

“It has to be a few hours after lunch. And you barely ate any breakfast. I can’t believe I forgot to feed you.” A growl mixed in with King Lawrence’s statement, and the shower started. “No wonder you’re so upset. I was so ravenous to have you, I didn’t even consider how much energy I was taking out of you. Of course you must be hungry.”

Footsteps.

I glanced up to the IV, my lips parting as I realized the bag that was hanging was empty. Was that why I was getting stronger? Or was the doctor running late?

If he came in now, he’d drug me again. I’d lose any strength I was gaining.

King Lawrence headed back in, now wearing pajama pants. My mind scrambled as he headed for the bedroom door. I couldn’t let him call in the doctor.

“Wait. Where are you… going?”

He paused. “To have them make us some food.”

“Yes but…” His head tilted at my pause. “You’re not going… to kiss me or anything? Just… leave me? Just…treat me like nothing. A whore you can’t even bother covering up? You… could call for food. You… don’t love me.”

“What?” He walked to me in a fast pace, sitting on the edge of the bed. Slowly, he eased the cover up over my breasts. “Of course I love you.” He smiled. “You don’t want me to leave? I knew you’d start to come around. Penelope, I’ll never leave like you’re worried about.”

“But you were about to. Call for food.”

“I can’t. My phone is off. I’m literally going to walk to the next room and tell them to make us something.”

“Yell it from the door.” My eyes filled with tears. “Don’t leave me.”

His smile softened and grew even more.

“Alright. I’ll yell it. I won’t leave anywhere.”

The king stood, walking and opening the door. “Make us some food!” He turned, smiling back at me. “And hurry up with it.”

He closed the door, making his way back to the bed. Knocking was almost immediate. Lawrence turned back to the door and panic had my arm jerking down in the cuff.

My eyes cut back up to the empty bag, and I scanned the end table and surrounding area for something… anything.