Page 154 of Unmasked

“It started out with him boasting to a group of men about the pretty girls he transports. I guess a few were looking for jobs and were curious. The pub owner is in our pockets. He said the captain didn’t imply the women were trafficked, but he didn’t hide the fact that they were being taken against their will. I guess he mentioned they can get pretty loud and rowdy at times, but that they had their benefits. The captain then mentioned he had to drop off the girls to The Order, and then he was headed back out to sea for his fishing quota.”

“Hmm.” Penelope picked at her food. “Well, that’s a problem.” She paused, glancing back up to him. “Ready him while I eat. I’ll go to him after I finish. Am I correct that the other men he spoke to are at least being tracked or detained?”

“Yes, My Queen. They are detained, but they’re unconscious. We’ll keep them that way until you decide what you want to do.”

She gave a nod, and Able slipped out of the door. I took her in as she ate but stared up at me.

“I think I’m going to get my own desk. Do you think Theodore will be jealous?”

I laughed. “Probably. You can have that one. It is your desk.”

Her head shook as she took a bite. “It is yours, and I won’t take it.” She paused as she chewed. “Do we have Luke’s number? I’m going to need to call and talk to him.”

Slowly, I nodded. “I have it, but I don’t know him yet. I haven’t had the chance to speak with him. I hear he used to be Everleigh Whitlock’s main bodyguard.”

“Whitlock. Bram Whitlock’s wife? The Council member?”

“That’s right.”

“Interesting,” Penelope said, lowly.

“She used to be a slave. Everleigh, she’s a… beast. A true warrior. The stories I’ve heard would shock you.”

Interest flickered in Penelope’s eyes. “Is that right? What sort of stories?”

“She escaped Whitlock.” I paused. “That was their Order, before the Gardens. Bram was the Main Master there. He almost died. His best friend, West, tried to kill him so he could take his spot. He was in love with Everleigh, too. Needless to say, Bram didn’t die, and came back, reclaiming his position. By then, so much had changed. Everleigh ended up escaping, and Bram spent a long time trying to track her down.”

I laughed, continuing. “He had scouts out searching the world for her. She always found them and would send them back to Whitlock in a white box with a red bow for Bram. I heard he went crazy for a while there. Needless to say, it only got worse after that.

Penelope’s hand rested at her mouth, but the fascination was there.

“Everleigh and Bram’s story is intense, but they made it out alive, mostly thanks to Gavin Draper from Red Island. That wife we thought Redmond had killed… that was Layla, a slave Everleigh rescued. And she’s alive. Gavin fell in love with her and… well… it’s a long story, but Gavin did save them. It’s quite the tale. I only wish I knew more.”

Penelope nodded.

“Me too. I’m so happy Layla’s story didn’t turn out as we feared. As for Everleigh. She sounds strong. I want to meet her.”

I laughed. “Perhaps soon. I do believe she’ll be at King Lawrence’s ball with Bram and Elec.”

“Elec. The Main Master for The Garden of the Gods. The hypnotist.”

“That’s right. They’ll all be there.”

Penelope’s face fell as she stared down, eating more.

“You’re thinking something.”

She glanced up.

“Yes.” A conflicted expression drew in her features. “I would love to meet them but.” She stopped. “Would you be horribly upset if I didn’t go to the ball? I really don’t want to see King Lawrence. After our last conversation, I think it could make things worse. I think maybe with you there, it would be best for me to be at The Order, just so one of us is here.”

Relief flooded me, and I felt like the weight of mountains lifted from my shoulders.

“Upset? More like relieved. The last thing I want is for you to be around that bastard. I think you staying here is for the best. You’ll be protected here, and that’ll make the night go by so much easier. I hate that I even have to go. I’m not sure what he expects to get out of it. Especially now that you’ve relinquished your title and have made it clear that you will not be with him. Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll cancel.”

“I wish.” Penelope pushed back her plate. “King Lawrence isn’t going to let this go. Something bad is brewing… I can feel it. I just don’t know what it is.” She brought my computer to life. “Show me how to bring up surveillance. I want to see the new video from this alarm. Something isn’t right. I plan to figure out what it is.”

CHAPTER 50