Page 77 of Unmasked

My stomach twisted violently, and cloudy memories assaulted me. I tried to get my body to react, but nothing happened. I could barely get my fingers to draw in as he moved his hand down to trace my lips.

Move.

I needed to move.

To…

“Careful.” My head was cradled to the side. “You’ve been through quite a lot. Losing a baby can’t be easy… Truthfully, I didn’t see that coming. I should have.” His tone dropped, barely audible at the end as he moved to ease his fingers to trace my cheek. “It’s done. I think you’ll see in time that this was for the best.”

Somehow, I managed to jerk my head to the side, but it felt more like it was rolling over.

King Lawrence’s thumb brushed under my eye, catching a tear that began to leave me. My body shook through the sob, and I felt more wetness build and race down the sides of my face.

“Don’t cry. You’re safe now. You don’t have to worry anymore. You’re exactly where you should be. I’m going to take care of everything.”

Everything….

The words echoed as I began to drift away again.

Everything.

Take. Care. Of. Everything.

Take… everything.

Yes.

Hadn’t he done that?

Hadn’t he taken everything?

CHAPTER 24

King Lawrence

I didn’t give anyone an apology or an explanation for cancelling the hunt. With what they all witnessed as I carried Penelope in, they didn’t need one. I made it clear they had one of two options. They could stay in their rooms, or they could leave. Either way, they were not to say anything to anyone until the palace released a statement on the events.

Simple.

Effective.

To the point.

No one argued. No one challenged my order.

The one obstacle left was the one before me. As I headed back inside her room and to her bed, I took in Penelope’s position. She hadn’t moved at all since I’d left her.

Her hands were still crossed over her abdomen. Her slightly pale face was perfectly straight, looking to the ceiling, and her black hair was neatly brushed back, just like I wanted. Straight legs weren’t bent. Her feet weren’t turned or pointed out.

Composed.

Peaceful.

“She’s stable for the moment.”

The physician’s voice had me looking over as I loomed over her unconscious body.

“Define stable.”