by Lola Gabriel
For three days, he’d hidden her inside the palace, in plain sight, so to speak. He had set her up in Keppler’s suite, knowing that his brother rarely ventured into the Hollows, and even if he did, he wasn’t apt to visit the suite Wilder had put aside for him.
Reef only accessed the rooms through the external courtyard and kept Penny on the roof when the cleaning staff came through. If anyone was suspicious, he didn’t know it, which didn’t help steady either of their nerves. It was too risky, and any minute, the charade could come crashing to a stunning halt.
He landed in Keppler’s courtyard and poked his head into the apartment, where Penny was laying on the stunning sleigh bed, reading a book.
“Is that the same one from yesterday?” he asked, knitting his brows together.
“Are you kidding? This is two from that one.”
“We have the internet, Netflix…”
“You have Netflix?” Penny choked dubiously. “How the—? You know what, I don’t even want to try and comprehend this.” She put the book aside and patted the bed at her side. “Come and sit with me a bit. I feel like you’ve been go-go the past day or so. Where did you fly off to today?”
Reef looked away guiltily. He didn’t want to tell her where he’d been. He hadn’t told her that the bodies had been recovered by someone in the Hollows. He had no way of knowing how she would react to such information.
She was furious enough when they died, Reef recalled. How can I tell her that I am authorizing their bodies to be poked and prodded at for medical research, even if it is for her benefit? He decided he would only tell her after Yari concocted a serum. If Yari concocted a serum.
The backup plan was still Violet, but whoever she was didn’t meet any of the sprites Reef apparently had in his database. Every day, he would show Penny any available pictures of the dark-haired sprites he could find, but none ever jogged Penny’s memory. So she remained captive in a tower, like a princess who needed rescuing.
And I’m the prince to do it, Reef thought with determination. “I was just following up on some leads.”
“What leads?” Penny asked hopefully. “Does someone know where Violet is?” Reef shook his head and sat at her side, reaching forward to nuzzle her neck.
“Let me ask you something,” he murmured. “Answer me truthfully.” Instantly, he felt her body melt against him, and he encased her in his muscular arms.
“Ask away.”
“If it was safe for you here, if you could wander around freely and do what you wanted, would you ever consider staying?”
Penny laughed, but it came out as a choked sob. Reef pulled his head back and looked at her in surprise.
“Did I upset you?” he asked with concern.
She shook her head and blinked the tears from her eyes. “No,” she murmured. “I would stay here with you in a heartbeat. The life I left behind…” She sighed loudly and shook her head. “Let’s just say no one is missing me back at home.”
“You were asking about calling your parents a few days ago,” Reef reminded her. “Someone is missing you. I’d be missing you if you weren’t so deliciously pressed against me right now.” And I always do when I’m away from her.
“They’re my parents. They have to love me. But…” Penny was reluctant to go on, but Reef shook his head.
“I think after everything we’ve been through, Penny, you can tell me what’s on your mind.”
She smiled wanly. “I just went through a rather difficult break-up. My ex didn’t take the separation well, and he basically ruined my life and standing in the span of two weeks.”
A spark of rage lit through Reef, but he contained himself. “Go on.”
“I guess I never realized just how bad it was until the end, until I took a stand and said I was out of there. Once I did, and he saw I wasn’t coming back…”
“What did he do?” When Penny tried to shift her gaze away, Reef held her look firmly.
“It’s so trivial now,” she laughed, looking around the room. “I mean, in hindsight, it’s almost funny. He got me fired and turned my family against me by telling them I had a drug issue.”
“What? This was a man who was supposed to love you?” Reef demanded in disbelief. “Who does that?”
“He cleaned out our bank account and withheld my belongings, so I would talk to him, but I knew that as soon as I did, he’d reel me back in. So I resisted.”
“Good! That bastard. What’s his name? I can pay him a friendly visit.” Penny grinned at him, and Reef saw the appreciation in her eyes.
“He’s not worth the fire,” she joked. “It’s done now, anyway. I’ve been gone for so long, I’ve basically confirmed my family’s suspicions. He’s won in his own stupid way.”
“What’s the prize? Being a smug prick?”
“Nah. He was always a smug prick.” Reef pulled Penny tightly to him and kissed the base of her neck, gently turning her on her side to curve his frame into hers. “Anyway,” she said quickly, as if to finish the conversation before it got any heavier. “If I hadn’t gone through all that, I wouldn’t have met you. And now look at me—living in a palace, snuggled against a real, live dragon prince—”
“Fearing for your life,” Reef finished curtly. Her back stiffened at the reminder, and he felt like kicking himself for saying something so stupid. He decided to put his mouth to better use, laying kisses along the lines of her neck and shoulder.
Penny instantly responded, reaching for his arms to join their fingers together, pulling his hands toward the front of the silk nightie he had bought her only the previous day. He was glad she was making use of his presents this soon.
When she gets back to the Sunside, I’ll buy her the most beautiful house, filled with the most lavish gifts. She’ll have a new outfit every night of the week, jewels for this creamy, soft throat…
Penny sighed and arched back against him, her form falling into a perfect groove with his. They were meant to be together. They fit together. That was why Reef had had the dream about her. Everything about them was perfect, no matter how strange their circumstances.
As their joint hands fell lower toward the hem of the nightie, Reef’s fingers curling up to expose her luscious, athletic thigh, his kisses grew more heated.
She will get home safely, and home will be where I am with her, not where people who are supposed to love her are treating her like a stranger. She’ll never feel betrayed again, not under my protection.
Reef could feel the intense beat of Penny’s heart through the thin material of her gown, the rhythm matching his own, and he closed his eyes, peeling away the lace of her panties, his excitement to possess her again mounting in his loins.
“Reef,” Penny murmured softly. It was followed by a soft gasp as his palm grazed over her core.
“Hmm?”
“I would stay here with you forever if I could.”
The words unleashed something in Reef, something primal and desperate. Suddenly, his gentle touch intensified, and the nightie was across the room. Penny moaned as his free hand looped around to caress her breast, teasing at the taut skin of her nipples, manipulating her to a climax with only his touch alone.
“Penny,” he breathed into her ear. “I love you. I’m never going to let you go.”
It was all Penny needed, her release instant, and even in her cry of pleasure, he heard the emotion choking in her voice.
“Take me,” she begged.
“Tell me you love me, too,” Reef told her, hoping that he was not asking too much of her when she was most vulnerable.
“Oh, God, yes, I love you. I don’t think I even knew what love was before you.”
He took her and savored her mewls of delight, his thrusts rising to meet her as she pushed against him.
“We’ll always be together,” he rasped, his movements becoming frenzied in his desire. “You and me against the world.”
“Oh, yes!”
Their climax superseded any other one they had known be
fore, and Reef knew it was because it had been borne from love, not simply lust and attraction. He knew that Penny felt for him the same way he felt for her, and it had brought him somewhere he’d never been.
I made her a promise I intend to keep. We’ll be together always. Even if I have to torture Yari to make it happen.
13
In some ways, Penny had never been happier. At first, the idea of staying isolated inside the palace had been almost stroke-inducing, but as the days passed and there seemed to be no sign of trouble, Penny realized that perhaps Reef had a very smart scheme hiding her in plain sight.
She freely admitted that the palace was a huge step up from the apartment in the Trenches. She not only had indoor plumbing; she also had two full bathrooms with an ensuite jacuzzi and her own rooftop garden, completely hidden from the rest of the world. When Reef had asked her if she wanted to stay, there was nothing in the world she would have done faster than strap a chain on her own leg and stayed in that suite forever.
But she was not blind to the danger she remained in, which likely got worse the longer she stayed. Penny didn’t doubt there were teams of people combing through the Hollows, looking for her. While Reef had not told her how much the bounty was for, she had a bad feeling it was enough to keep the people motivated to stay on her trail for a while.
Reef had left to attend some issues at work, and Penny was feeling more restless than usual in his absence. She hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something was going to happen that day—something big. Whether it was a good feeling or a bad one, she wasn’t sure, but she could sense something coming. She double checked the locks on the doors and paced around, her mind whirling for no reason in particular.
I shouldn’t have let him go to work today. The thought was silly. Reef needed to keep up with his usual routine as to not arouse suspicion, and even though he hadn’t said anything, she felt like he might be onto something big.
Penny flopped down in the sitting room and reached for her book, but as soon as she tried to read, her mind started racing again.
Reading isn’t going to happen, she thought, reaching for the computer. She opened up the laptop Reef had brought for her and signed into her Facebook. Instantly, she smacked her hand to her forehead at the stupidity. I could have sent Mom a Facebook message! I have the internet!
But a quick look at her notifications told her that her idea had occurred to her mother without issue: she had four scathing messages from her.
A knot of tension formed in Penny’s gut when she read her mother’s words. The first of the lot had started off concerned enough: Hon, we’ve been trying your cell, and it goes to voicemail every time. Can you call Dad at least and let us know you’re okay?
The second was much the same, later the same day; the very day she’d been swept into the vortex known as the Hollows. The third message had a more annoyed tone to it, later the second day: Not doing drugs, huh? Why else would you disappear for two days without a word?
The fourth message was the last and caused tears to fill Penny’s eyes: I’ve spoken to your father, and we don’t think it’s wise if you come back here. Maybe check yourself into a hospital or rehab. Hopefully, your insurance will cover it. We’ll pray for you.
Penny choked back a sob and sat back against the soft fabric of the sofa, her taut shoulders sinking into the plush material.
Just like that? she thought. Four messages and the word of some man they met twice, and they’ve made up their minds?
The hurt was searing, and her instinct was to write back immediately, but she stopped herself. What would she even say? She had no idea when she was going back, if she was going back at all. There was no story good enough that would make them believe she couldn’t just make a call.
When she had asked Reef about calling out, he had said he could arrange for a burner phone, but he was worried about being caught buying one. “My brother is watching my every move. I guess I can find someone to buy one for you, but…”
“Then you’ll arouse the suspicion of someone else,” Penny had sighed. “Never mind. I’ll figure out another way to contact them.” But she hadn’t, and now, even if she did get home, she had nothing to return to.
So my choices are either to stay here and inevitably die the second someone finds me, or go home and live in a box somewhere?
Penny knew that Reef wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but she couldn’t depend on him to take care of her, either. Idly, she thought of the pipe dream she’d long forgotten, the dream of being a novelist. In an old, abused laptop among the boxes Ryland had undoubtedly burned in Houston were dozens upon dozens of stories she had tried to write over the years.
Ghost stories, she remembered, smiling slightly through her misery. Paranormal fiction. Now I could write firsthand accounts.
On a whim, she pulled up the Word program on the laptop, closing Facebook. She could only hope to deal with her parents when she could ensure she would see them face to face or minimally speak with them on the phone. Sending a message wouldn’t solve anything.
She opened a blank page and began to type with speed she had forgotten she had at her fingertips. As she worked, the tension she’d accumulated since waking seemed to drain through her hands. For hours, the story flowed, and Penny was so captivated by the characters that she didn’t notice when someone else joined her inside the spacious suite.
“Penny.”
She screamed and whipped her head around, instantly looking for a weapon to defend herself. Before she could, her heart stopped completely, and confusion trembled through her body.
“Violet!” Tossing the computer aside, Penny bolted toward the sprite, almost knocking her over with a hug of gratitude. “You’re here! You’re really here!”
“I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you,” the fresh-faced brunette told her gravely. “I wanted to be here much sooner, but the heat…”
Penny froze, realizing that if they had not been looking for her so hard, Violet may have come back much sooner. “I know, Violet, but you’re here now, and you have to get me out of here.”
“Of course,” the sprite said. “We have to go. Now.”
“I have to wait for Reef to get back. It should be any time—”
“That’s why we have to go now, Penny. If I’m caught here, I’m screwed. You know that.”
“I won’t let him do anything to you!” Penny swore. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Violet smiled sadly and shook her head. “That won’t work, Penny. You can’t even save yourself here. There’s a bounty on your head, you know.”
A prickle of worry touched Penny’s neck. “Are you going to kill me?” she whispered, backing away. “Did you come here to collect the bounty?”
Violet’s face registered genuine shock, and Penny wondered if she hadn’t given the sprite an idea she hadn’t previously had.
“Kill you?” she echoed. “Gods, no, Penny. I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“But…”
Violet stared at her blankly. “But what?”
“You took such a risk bringing us over here for a few bucks, Violet. The bounty is much more than that.” A look of sad understanding colored Violet’s face, and she sighed deeply.
“Bringing you across was never about money, Penny. It was something I had to do for me.”
Penny looked at her blankly. “For you?”
“I’ll explain on the way,” Violet promised. “But we have to go. Now.”
Penny shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere until I know I can trust you.”
Violet sighed heavily and looked around nervously. “Penny, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it by now.” Penny still wasn’t convinced. “Listen closely, because as soon as I tell you, we’re out of here, okay?”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ve been living on the Sunside for thirty years.”
“Thirty years? How old are you?” Penny demanded, and Violet scowled.
<
br /> “There is no Q&A period in this story, all right?”
“Sorry. Go on.”
“I adopted a kid. His name is Luke.”
“You adopt—? Sorry, go on.” Penny clamped her mouth shut and waited.
“He’s a hybrid, but only distinctly so, his blood so mortalized that crossing over will kill him.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m a geneticist, Penny. I study my kind and yours and have been for centuries. Well, before it was trendy. I know precisely what will happen if Luke tries to cross. He’ll die, just like your group did, and just like that early group did, too. I’ve been trying to ensure that I’ve alienated all the variables and that the serum is foolproof before bringing him through. Your group was supposed to have been the last. Talk about a sign from the gods.”
“Why do you even need to bring him through?”
Violet grimaced again and looked toward the door. “You’re not a mother, but you will be. And when you are, you’ll understand that it’s important for a kid to know his roots. He needs to know where he comes from.”
Penny couldn’t accept that as the final answer, but Violet’s antsy demeanor was rubbing off on her. “You sought me out, Violet. Why?”
“I promised to change your life, didn’t I?”
“Yes, but why me?”
The brunette cocked her head to the side and peered at her speculatively. “Because you wear your loneliness on your sleeve, Penny. Or I should say, you wore it on your sleeve. Reef is good for you.”
Penny blushed. Suddenly, Violet was grabbing her arm and yanking her toward the front door.
“We can’t go out that way! And I can’t leave without telling Reef—”
“It’s too late,” Violet whispered in her ear, and that was the last thing Penny remembered before the world went black.
“Lady! Do you need medical attention?”