Page 111 of Uncrowned

But Theo was right, whether I wanted to admit it or not. It would be stupid for Penelope to call. There was no doubt someone was tracking her calls, or at the least, listening in on them. And they’d never be able to trace my number or location, but they’d hear my voice. They’d know the truth.

As if my heartbreak called her home, my phone rang. Theo’s eyes shot up, and I took out my cell, nearly wincing through the pain that registered at me not being able to speak. I hit the button, putting it on speaker but not saying a word. After a few seconds, a deep breath came through the receiver.

“…Theodore… you wanted me to call. I…” a sniffle. “I wasn’t going to. But I had to let you know. I don’t think they’re going to let us see each other again.” I pointed to Theo as fear struck, and he scooted forward in his chair.

“I’m here. I didn’t think they would. But I got to see you.” His eyes searched mine. “And you called. That’s the most important part.”

“I shouldn’t have but…” her voice shook, and she sniffled again. “But I had to. I miss you. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She cleared her throat. “The last time we saw each other, I said some things I shouldn’t have. I think we both did. But we’re better now. You came to see me. You confirmed why I have to do this. If we’re ever going to be together, I want more for us.”

I reached down, writing across a paper on my desk.

Tell her no.

Theo looked as if he wanted to argue, but he nodded.

“Penelope, about that. I don’t want you to.”

A long silence.

“I expected you to argue. I know I’m not a social person. I’ve been hidden from society most of my life. Trapped, if you will, behind my parents’ strict rules. I can’t keep living a life where I’m hidden and afraid. I will… but I really don’t want to. Please understand that if I’m ever going to make something of myself—both of us, really—we need friends, Theo. Connections. Real ones who want to help us, not be wary of us.”

I twisted my mouth, watching Theo study me. I lifted one of my eyebrows at him challengingly, but he only gave me a smile.

“I am very intimidating,” Theo said, winking at me.

“That’s the understatement of the century.”

I smiled as he laughed, not able to hold it through the dread.

“I love you. I do, and I know you love me. Let me meet with some people. I want to see if I can dazzle them with my charm. I want to make friends. I can do this. In return, maybe it’ll pay off.”

Or it doesn’t.

I scribbled down.

The threat was unspoken and he and I both knew it.

“Or it doesn’t. You don’t know these people, Penelope. Some are⁠—”

“Rude? Manipulative? Theodore, who were my parents? I know exactly what type of people I’m dealing with. I was sheltered, I’m not daft.”

He looked at me challengingly, and it was my turn to roll my eyes at him. Rude and murderous weren’t the same thing.

“You will be careful, no matter what?”

She let out a long breath.

“I promise. There’s no guarantee I’ll even be able to meet with anyone, but I have to at least try. I will call when I can. It won’t be often. I have a lot of work here, and I know the same goes with you. But I will text all the time, and if Katia, I mean Agent Marchase, says yes, maybe we can even see each other like you wanted. I’d like that, Theo. I’ll be praying she says yes.”

I felt my heart squeeze and cramp at the words I quickly wrote down. Theo swallowed hard, looking at me with a stare that made me feel exposed—raw.

“I love you, Penelope. More than the stars or the moon… or all the air in the world.”

She sobbed, and the pain was all too real. “I love you, too. I have to go. Text me good morning, good night, and I will keep you updated on my new friends. I’ll call when I can. Just give me a time when you’re not busy, and we’ll do this again.”

“I will. Goodbye, Penelope.”

The line went dead, and I leaned back, closing my eyes as I held to her voice for a moment more. I could still hear the sweet tone in my head. The way she said I love you. How much she missed me. The regret… We both had so much of that.