Marian
My mother’s hallmark was playing on her femininity. She said it was the downfall of all men, and maybe she was right. It was odd that now that I was faced with a life she’d caused, memories of my mom wouldn’t leave me.
“Mother, but—”
“No. Tell me why you don’t want to wear this dress.”
I sighed. “I hate the poofy sleeves. And it’s yellow. I look like a child with jaundice. Do we have to go to this charity event? Vivia called earlier. I was invited to—”
“That girl is bad news. You’re going with me.
” Her eyes narrowed at the dress. “You’re right.
The sleeves don’t work for this occasion.
You may wear the powder blue dress I had brought up this morning.
Sit straight, Marian. Slouching will make you look timid.
Always straight. Shoulders back. Face up.
There are three possible suitors who will be at the event tonight.
I want you doing everything I taught you. Do you remember?”
I held in my groan. “Hold conversation but don’t overpower it. Don’t appear too smart; allow them to lead. Pretend shyness and look up at them through my lashes so that I seem interested.”
“That’s right. What about the touches?”
“I feel like this is the eighteen hundreds.”
“You’ll feel worse than that if you marry the wrong man. Tell me about the touches.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. “A touch on their hand or jacket. Barely there. Very subtle, and I’m to pause as if I catch myself.”
“That’s right, dear. But only to those you are truly interested in. We don’t waste our effort. That just screams of desperation, and we have choices. Lots and lots of choices.”
“Why not Drayton? He’s the Pennington heir. It doesn’t get better than that.”
“You’re not going to break me down by continuing to ask.
Drayton Pennington would be fine if this was as far as we wanted to go.
Listen well, because I’m not repeating this again.
” My mother leaned in closer. “You’re meant for bigger and better things.
Our bloodline will be what mergers are made for.
Your own children will never have to settle for less than they deserve.
And that’ll be because of me. I’m doing this for you.
For us. Jett will bypass Drayton as the main heir.
With you marrying someone prestigious, we’ll take over this circle.
We’ll be looked up to and sought after.” Her smile faded, turning into a glare.
You’re not going to screw that up. You’ll do what you have to just like me.
You’ll do it because I say, and someday when you’re grown, you’ll be where I am and decisions will rest on you.
When that time comes, I’ll have taught you the way to handle it, and you will handle it as you should. ”
“And that will be with expressions and touching?”
“That’s where it starts, Marian. That’s where it ends. Everything in the middle is just mind games.”
And she was right. My mother wasn’t a good woman, but she wasn’t stupid.
It’s the entire reason I didn’t get back up off the ground when I fell.
I didn’t pass out entirely; I passed my mother’s test. My femininity drew out Drayton and Quinn.
My damsel in distress sent them running to me to save.
As fucked up as her methods were, she was always right.
It was our circle’s way. We used what we had.
We led with motives all our own. We got ahead any way we could.
My confession to Drayton about love may have been the truth, but my calculations and timing were what mattered.
Everything I was doing was working in my favor, and it was just a matter of time before it began to show.
“Drayton left a water outside. In case you need it.”
Drayton glared at Quinton, but I ignored the obvious tension between them.
“Thank you. I should be okay. I’m feeling a little better now.”
Quinn continued. “You’ll want to watch that arm. Especially with all the sawing. You don’t want to—”
“She’s not stupid, Quinton. Marian, let’s go. Quinn was just getting ready to leave anyway.”
“Leave?”
“This is between me and Marian now. Besides, you have business to take care of with Penny.”
“Right.” Quinton let out a deep breath, stepping in closer to me. “Whatever he orders you to do, just do it. You’re tough. You can help lead this family. I know you can.”
“Quinn.”
The underlying threat had anger flashing on Quinton’s face, but he nodded.
“You can do this. I’ll see you soon.”
Drayton grabbed my good arm, pulling me to the door.
Material bunched under my feet from the sweatpants, but they kept me warm as we headed down the dark hall and back into the large space I’d come to hate.
Bastian was still unconscious and so pale as he hung from the pole.
Even dressed, I was sure the temperature had dropped another ten degrees since I’d been taken inside.
And at least I’d been wearing some sort of clothes.
Bastian was nude. If it wouldn’t have been for the shaking I kept getting glimpses of, I’d assume he was dead.
“When I go inside that door will lock. It will not open again until you’ve completed the tasks. If you don’t—”
“I don’t leave here. I know.”
He gave a hard nod, turning for the door. I lunged forward, reaching to brush my fingers over his bare back. He immediately turned to face me. He was in sweatpants. Black ones, just like mine. I hated how I reacted to how powerful his body was, but I couldn’t fight it. I’d never stood a chance.
“Dray…”
“What?”
Cold. Detached.
“I know you don’t believe me about not remembering. That’s okay. Would you believe Elec if he told you it was the truth?”
Confusion had his head tilting.
“What are you talking about?”
I swallowed hard, knowing I shouldn’t give away my mother’s secrets, but it was important he know I didn’t betray him. We wouldn’t be able to move forward until the truth was exposed. I just had to put it in a way that wouldn’t reveal my own manipulations.
“Elec was my mother’s student. You know she taught him things.
It would be natural for what they do for the FBI.
They analyze criminals. They help interrogate witnesses.
Even put them under hypnosis to help them remember events, scenes, or suspects, if it calls for it.
But it’s so much more than what you probably think.
It’s more than sessions to decipher truth from deception.
What they know is cutting edge. It’s so advanced, the government keeps it secret.
My mother called it a sway… persuasion,” I rushed out.
“Mind bending. I’ve heard her mention a few terms. She could make them do things.
Anything she wanted so long as she said it in a way to confuse them.
There were other things too, drugs. Lots of different kinds, but I can’t speak on those.
I truly don’t understand it very well. Elec does though, and he wouldn’t be able to deny it if he thought you knew… more.”
“I keep hearing her victims don’t remember.
It could be bullshit though. Maybe they’re just embarrassed.
I mean, she did this to people for months.
Years. How could they not remember so many times?
They’d have to suspect something?” He shook his head at whatever he was thinking, pausing as he brought his hand up, only to lower it. “Right?”
“Well, she is dead.”
“But.” He got quiet, his brow creasing. “She really did that kind of stuff? Used drugs?”
“That and so much more,” I said, hugging to myself.
“My mother could do things that would turn your blood to ice. Elec shadowed her. He learned from her. Don’t forget that, Drayton.
Ever. If she taught him what she knew, he’d be untouchable.
He could have whatever he wanted from anyone. There would be no stopping him.”
Drayton took a step closer, a mass of emotions flickering as his gaze ate mine alive.
“Unstoppable. That sounds like science fiction.”
“It’s just science. You’d be amazed at what different drugs can make people do. Once someone is influenced, they’re susceptible to anything. I know it sounds like an excuse, but you can look it up, I swear. Just ask him.”
“What you’re really saying is I shouldn’t trust Elec.”
“You can’t tell me you already do.”
His head shook. “Of course not. I trust nobody.”
“Good. Just… be careful around him. That’s all I’m saying.
And…” I felt my shoulders curl in through the vulnerability I was purposely displaying.
Tighter, I hugged myself. “I had a personal doctor. He was brought in during the early morning hours after we left your parent’s estate.
The files would be in our attic. If you look at them, you should see that things weren’t as they appeared. ”
“What are you talking about?”
Time stretched out as we held stares. “My mother gave me a shot of something before she took me to see your parents.”
“Wait.” His hand shot up and the anger on his face had the words pouring from me in a rush.
“I’m not lying about this. It’s why I want you to talk to Elec.
To find out the truth for yourself. My mom was so mad that she couldn’t influence me to go along with her belief of what happened between us.
Are argument lasted for hours. She saw the footage from the guest house.
She tried to… convince me that what happened was wrong.
That you— I kept disagreeing, going as far as to tell her it was me pushing for what happened.
She finally let me go to bed, but I woke up to a stabbing in my arm.
I barely remember anything after that. Just…
yelling and… blurry visions of everyone at your parents.
I remember crying a lot when the doctor finally managed to wake me up that morning.
I guess whatever she gave me knocked me out pretty good. ”