Drayton
I’d never seen anyone sleep as hard as Marian.
You would have thought I drugged her again for how dead to the world she was as I carried her off the plane.
Even on the ride from the airport to our resort, she didn’t so much as budge.
Where I wanted to catch a small nap, Quinn kept me busy whispering over Hollywood business.
I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t rest. For weeks now, my mind wouldn’t stop.
It kept going and going, which only made me more irritable.
And I thought I’d never be happier to arrive at the hotel with all Quinton’s talk, but that quickly disappeared as I took in the amount of luxury cars and limousines at the resort.
It was such a sight that even Quinn stopped talking as he took in the overflowing traffic.
“Fuck. Do you think word of your marriage got out?”
“I sure as hell hope not.”
“This can’t be right,” Quinton said, leaning more forward to check out the people walking in. “I know this is the Princeton Resort, but this doesn’t seem normal for skiing. I don’t know. I don’t like the snow.”
I adjusted Marian in my arms, being careful not to wake her.
I should, but asleep, she was truly mine.
I could hold her close. Keep her next to me.
And I wanted that, even if it was hard coming to terms with the truth.
Fuck, I loved her. I loved her so much it was like the past had never happened.
Crushing Bastian’s heart in my fist had done something to my own.
Healed it? Fixed it? Brought it back to life—a heart for a heart?
Chosen. Yes. I loved her. God, I fucking loved her.
“Maybe there’s some sort of event going on.”
“Maybe,” Quinn agreed. But I wasn’t so sure.
Our car went around the line, heading to the front as we were waved into a designated lane. Quinn seemed to read my mind as he glanced from me to Marian.
“Let her sleep. I’ll go get the key real quick.”
“Thanks.”
He smiled. “Are you kidding?” His gaze dropped back to Marian, his eyes softening as he took her in.
“She’s had a hell of a time since we took her.
I’m impressed. She’s perfect for this. For you.
You know that right? She proved herself, Dray.
She did more than that. You’re getting married.
You’re both going to be okay now. It’ll get better. ”
Defensiveness flickered, dying out just as fast. I nodded and watched as Quinn got out and jogged inside. My arms tightened around Marian, and I kissed her forehead, studying her face as I let Quinn’s words filter back through.
She was perfect for this life. She was the embodiment of what a wife in our circle should be.
But I had known that years ago. I could tell how dedicated she was to our world.
It inspired me. It made me proud to be the heir.
And I wanted her there at my side for that.
But I wasn’t that man anymore. I wasn’t what she deserved…
but I could be. I could be better. She made me believe so.
Lying with me on the plane, I could see us in another life.
I could see us madly in love and happy. And powerful.
God, we were a fucking powerhouse couple.
There wasn’t anything we couldn’t do together. Business. Entertainment… Murder.
My stare raked over her face, and I felt the lust at what she’d done to Bastian come back. My chosen was more like me than she knew. Perfect. Yes. She was so damn perfect.
A small sound left her, and Marian nuzzled more into me.
I brought my hand up, tracing over her cheek to her lips.
When the door opened, I tried to hold in the need to destroy everything around me.
All I wanted was uninterrupted time like I’d gotten when I drugged her.
I just wanted to stare. To obsess. To watch her sleep.
To sleep, myself. Fuck, I needed more than an hour at a time.
“Keys.” He held them up. “And a message.”
“What do you mean?”
My tone held the anger that still pushed against my insides.
“I have our keys, but Elec wanted me to tell you to hurry up. He invited people, Dray. A lot of people. I don’t know who they are, but they look important.”
“Give me those.” I swiped the keys from him, opening my door. Marian’s head lifted, but I pushed it back down. “Keep sleeping, doll. Whatever you do, don’t wake up until we’re in the clear. We’re not socializing right now.”
I opened the door, nearly moaning as Marian buried her face back in the crook of my neck and kissed against it.
I only made it a few steps inside before Elec headed in my direction.
I cursed under my breath, tightening my grip on Marian as I took in the busy lobby.
It was huge, and it was full of people in formal wear.
“Tell me you didn’t invite my family.”
Elec couldn’t even get to a stop before my words came tumbling out.
“And ruin your surprise? These are my friends. They’re safe. Soon, they’ll be your friends too.” He paused, stepping in as he looked at Marian. Multiple expressions flashed, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “Drugged?”
“I’m not doing that to her anymore. I gave her a lot on the trip to California. Too much. After the last few weeks—”
“She’s worn out, but I knew we’d get here.
I knew she’d do it.” He went back to studying her.
“You didn’t seem so sure. I wonder if that speaks of uncertainty on deeper levels than what you’re admitting.
Are you sure you want to marry her, Drayton?
You can still work on your revenge. Although, I’m guessing she’s possibly already pregnant with your heir which means you’d have to be extremely careful.
Maybe you shouldn’t go through with this.
We can come up with another story. Or maybe it’s too much and you’re finished.
I can keep her for you. Our team can watch over her.
Assess her. I can even set her up in a place to live.
I can make sure your heir is healthy and ready for when the time comes. ”
Marian’s fingers dug into my side, so subtle yet telling. I took a step back, bringing her even deeper into my chest. Quinn shifted next to me, but I knew he wouldn’t speak for me despite he wanted to.
“Marian proved herself. We’re marrying.”
“Even though you don’t have to? Well, you’re not doing it for her.
You’ve made your feelings obvious. If it’s because of this,” he said, flicking his hand to the people, “you don’t have to feel bad about inconveniencing us.
It won’t be a big deal. Unless.” his lids narrowed, “your feelings for her have changed?”
“We’re marrying.”
Slowly, he smiled. “I was hoping that was the case. It’s the best option for our circle. And it’s honorable.” He pointed to the elevators. “Marian has her own room. They’re waiting for her. I’ll see you both soon. Try not to take too long.”
I nodded, turning to head for the elevator. The moment the doors shut, Marian’s arms flew around my neck.
“You didn’t give me to him.”
“I told you you were mine.”
“What the hell was that about?” Quinn snapped. “I haven’t seen Elec in a few years, but the guy is insane. He’s lost it. Take Marian from you so she can live under lock and key with a bunch of feds? To assess her? That’s just strange. And… scary.”
“I told you he was intimidating. Just stay away from him if you can help it. Be polite, but don’t get close. He’s more dangerous than you can imagine.”
My words spilled free from nowhere, leaving me hardening as I remembered Marian’s fear the last time she’d talked to him.
As fast as it came, it receded. I lowered her at her wiggle, but she still stepped in, wrapping her arms around me as if we hadn’t spent the last decade fucking each other up in ways most would never recover from.
But wasn’t that the darker parts of love no one spoke of?
The love that was toxic with temptation?
The one that seethed with an immeasurable amount of forbidden suffocation?
I wanted to die, immersed in her essence.
I wanted to kill us both if it meant we’d never be interrupted or apart again. How was that okay?
The elevator doors opened, and we headed down the hall. I read the key cards, handing over the one with Marian’s name. Her door came first, and I waved Quinn ahead, giving him our card.
“Are you ready for this?” My question was direct, if not slightly wary.
I shouldn’t have asked. It made me nervous.
It made me worried for reasons I hadn’t thought about.
I believed Marian had to marry me because I owned her, but the truth was, she could very well tell me to go to hell in front of everyone.
Word would get out. It would start more shit on top of what we were already faced with.
And what would that do to my heart? To the part of me that had already fallen over the cliff of loving her again?
“I’m ready. Are you?”
My nod was stiff.
“You’re worried.”
“Marian…we’re getting married in about an hour or two. Married. You know what that means in our world.”
“No divorce.”
“Ever.” I pushed my hands in the pockets of my black slacks. “I know I own you, but this is different. We’re in this for life once we say those vows. It’s not going to be easy.”
“Nothing great ever is.”
A smile pulled back my lips. “How are you still managing to look on the bright side?”
“It’s just what I do.”
“A lot of days are going to be fucking hell. You’ll hate Hollywood and my club. … You’ll grow to hate me.”
“Hmm.” Marian bit against her bottom lip, stepping closer as she grabbed onto my belt, luring me forward. “Maybe you should find ways to distract me then. I can’t be miserable or unhappy if I’m entertained.”
My pulse hit hard, and I glanced down to where Quinn was disappearing into our room.
“Be careful what you ask for.” I stepped in, moving her back until she was pressed against her door. “I may keep you so busy you won’t have time for anything else.”
“Like this? You promise?”
“Nothing could keep me away.”
Fingers gripped into my shirt, pulling me in. My mouth hovered over hers, so close, so ready to lose myself in her kiss.
The door opened, and Marian yelped as she fell backward. I scooped her in my arms before she barely moved, glaring as Katia threw me a look.
“Nothing ever changes. You both still make me sick. Marian? Are we getting you ready for a wedding or what?”
“Not you. Fucking shit.” I righted Marian, but she was already turning and throwing herself towards Katia, and squealing as Penny approached with a tall, blonde female agent. I threw my hands up, stepping back. "I'm out of here. Marian, I'll see you at the altar.”
I stopped at the words, watching as Marian broke from Katia. Her face lost its excitement and grew serious as she headed back to me. Her hands grabbed mine, but it was her intense eyes that made everyone else disappear. Those eyes. It had always been the eyes.
“Don’t forget this, Drayton Pennington. Don’t forget the last few hours.”
“Why would I forget?”
Fear flashed, but Marian forced a smile. “You won’t. I just don’t want you to. I want us to stay like this. Happy. Always.”