Page 169 of Unmasked

“Shh. It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

My mouth opened, but it was so dry, I couldn’t get words to form. My tongue felt like a sponge. I swallowed, feeling it help a little.

“You’ve had a hard night. I hear you’re quite the fighter. George has made me give him my word that I won’t uncuff you. Are you that dangerous, Penelope?”

“… Take… them off… and… find out.”

King Lawrence chuckled as he stayed seated next to me, going back to stroke my face.

“I’ll take your word for it. I’m not in the mood to fight. I have other things I’d much rather be doing.” He paused, lowering his fingers to leave my jaw and move down the length of my neck. “Do you remember Scotland?”

“Unfortunately.”

At my weak response, his fingers paused just inside my blouse on my collarbone. I put all my strength behind jerking away from his touch, but I barely moved.

“You’re fighting me good. You shouldn’t be able to move. I like your fight. You’re going to need it eventually. Just not yet. And to make sure that doesn’t happen,” his hand waved deeper into the room.

Movement stirred in my peripheral, and I managed to move my head slightly in the direction to take in a man I’d never seen before.

“Meet Dr. Ayden. He’s my other physician’s replacement.”

“…Sick.”

“Necessary. For how long depends on you.” He turned. “Leave us. I’ll let you know if I need anything.”

His touch began to move again, and the doctor stepped back, disappearing as a door shut behind him. I felt the IV in my hand as I slowly moved my fingers. I tested the strength in my arms, barely able to flex my hands. I outstretched my legs, pointing my toes as I slowly rotated my feet. I was extremely weak and delayed but not completely incapacitated.

“I have to say, Penelope, I’m really disappointed in you. I was so sure you’d be stronger than Vaughn. That I wouldn’t have to break his hold, but… here we are.” He paused, his brow drawing in as he leaned back from me. “I guess I should ask before we go further. Is there any baby I should know about?”

My lids narrowed. It was too early to know anything, but everything in me screamed to lie.

“No.”

“Thank God. I really didn’t want to have to give you that horrible stuff again. After all, we can’t have any ties to a man who will be dead soon. Not if we want the line to die completely.” He unbuttoned my top button. “Good riddance. The man is unstable. First, he takes what is mine. You. Then he breaks it. Impregnates it. Nearly kills it. And breaks it some more.” He unfastened another button, running his finger through my cleavage. “Now, I’m going to have to completely destroy everything he’s created. He wanted you strong. I want you obedient. They’re not the same. Not even close.”

I was getting sleepy again. The medication was suddenly hitting harder. I blinked through his words, trying to force my own from my lips.

“I don’t… love you.”

“You will. That’s the beautiful thing about conditioning, Penelope. Before you know it, it’ll be like Vaughn never existed. All you’ll see is me.” He moved to the next button. “After all, it’s only fair.” His gaze lifted from my cleavage to meet my eyes. “All I see is you.”

I closed my lids searching for the strength to fight. To thrash and scream. I could barely stay awake enough to speak.

“You killed… my child. I hate you. I do not… consent… to you… doing this.” A shuddering breath left me. “Let me go.”

“Consent.” A light laugh left him. “What is consent when the person asking for it isn’t of sound mind? You don’t know what you want. You only know what Vaughn would expect of you. How do you know you wouldn’t like being with me until you were with me? What if you end up liking me better?”

“I… won’t.”

He shrugged, easing the blouse open. “Only one way to find out.”

“Don’t.”

The tear that escaped spoke more words than I could manage. It held my fear. My refusal. It had King Lawrence reaching over to rub his thumb over the wetness.

“No need for tears. You’re not going to be in trouble for being with me. Vaughn’s never going to find out, because he’ll be dead before he does.”

A sob left me and more tears fell.