Page 85 of Unmasked

Words were warping amid the sickening throb that seemed to drum with every heartbeat.

King Lawrence. He’d been here talking to me… touching me… kissing me?

My hand flattened on my stomach through the cramping. All the concerns over the king disappeared as more came back. The pain. The blood. It was all such a fog but… real?

I nearly collapsed again as I fought to jerk up the length of the silk nightgown, pushing my hand between my legs. Panties… A pad…

Air caught through the sob, and my head shook as I pushed past the lining, removing my fingers to see it on my fingertips—blood.

Trembling shook me, and the denial was immediate as I screamed. The volume was so loud. So full of the pain that was killing me.

No.

This wasn’t real. None of this could have happened. We were on the plane. I was sick… And then I was with King Lawrence… in his… lap.” Colors blurred. Lord Summerlyn… blood. My baby. Gone? And I was stripped from my clothes… Nothing. Nothing but whispers. Touches. Kissing? But I had not been wearing this. And I hadn’t had the new brand.

No.

Refusal was immediate through the lingering disorientation.

King Lawrence would be here if that was all true. Right?

My arm lifted. I turned my hand over, trying to ignore my bloody fingertips as I took in the area where the IV had been. Gauze. But…

No. No. No.

I eased to the edge of the bed, holding to my stomach. Aching took over almost every inch of me, and I felt more blood leave me. My body seized from my movement. Nausea had me covering my mouth as a gag threatened to come.

Nothing was right. Each step was off balance. The drugs. Whatever they’d been giving me was still in my system. I had to get out of here. I had to get home.

Even as the thought registered, getting my body to comply was almost impossible. I scanned the room seeing nothing of mine. No purse. Even my clothes were gone. I couldn’t wait.

My steps were clumsy as I made it to my door and opened it. Terror had me trying to stay quiet. What if King Lawrence was still here?

My head peeked out.

There were no guards posted at either end of the hall. There were no aides. It still didn’t make me feel safe. Something was wrong. Shouldn’t someone be here? If not King Lawrence, then Vaughn?

Did he not come for me?

The thought was baffling.

It didn’t feel right. I had talked to Vaughn. He’d been with…

Another sob came as I used the wall to keep my balance.

Theodore. Our poor, sweet Theodore. He’d been attacked. He had almost died and probably would have had had Katia not told Vaughn about the contract.

The room pitched, and I crashed to my knees, heaving. Bile poured from my mouth, and the pain in my stomach intensified. My eyes rolled, and darkness began to fade in.

Pushing my fingers into the wood, I stayed on all fours as I let the lightheadedness pass. I wasn’t sure how much time went by before I was able to stand again and walk along the wall. When I finally made it to the entrance, I knew the king was gone. If anyone was here, I couldn’t see them. But why would I? My parents used to have more servants. Their job was to stay invisible. Maybe they were too afraid. I was afraid… It’s why I didn’t call out. I didn’t know who I could trust.

I opened the door, shivering as the cool air met me. Smoke left my mouth, and I walked outside, stumbling towards the stables and the garage area. That’s where they’d parked the vehicles before, and I needed one.

Tears. They continued to fall. Pain. Heartbreak. Questions.

I didn’t allow myself to feel the pain of losing my baby. I couldn’t right now. I had to be strong. I had to get home. But as much as I tried not to think about it, the truth was too much. The evidence left me with every step. And I couldn’t escape it.

The cost of my life with Vaughn had been blood. I’d gained access to The Order because of it. And now… I was leaving Scotland with no baby and… more blood.