Drayton
I was sweating in the dim, candlelit room. I was a nervous wreck. Where was Marian and Elec? He went to get her nearly half an hour ago. Where the fuck were they? The guests were getting restless. Even the bridesmaids and my men next to me were starting to whisper.
Don’t forget this, she’d said. Forget us?
Forget how I’d wanted her so badly in that moment?
Never. How could I when all I could hear was the way she said my name.
It looped. It repeated. Where was Marian?
If Elec hurt her. If Elec touched her… I turned to Quinn, lowering my voice through the rage that kept building by the minute.
I could see the flicker of the million candles surrounding us, and they made the fire inside me burn hotter with rage.
“I need you to send someone to check on Marian. Something’s not right. She should be here. If he—”
The doors opened and the music changed. Slowly, I straightened, watching through the glow of candlelight as a little boy headed forward holding a small white pillow.
Quinn patted against my bicep, a clear sign that I could relax, but that didn’t come as I watched the two small girls come in, throwing petals on the floor.
They were getting closer, but I saw no Marian.
I saw nothing but the fear that I’d held on to for more years than I could remember.
I saw her love for me the last time I held her in my arms outside her hotel room door.
I saw her covered in blood, fucking and fighting me as she held Bastian’s heart.
She’d done that to him for me. For. Me. Forget that? Never. Never. Never.
“Calm,” Quinn whispered. “Breathe.”
But I couldn’t. People stood. Gasps sounded. My heart swelled and stalled in my chest. This. Yes. I’d remember this too.
Elec led Marian through the double doors.
She was here. She had come. And she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life.
The anger vanished. With each step and sway of her full dress, diamonds sparkled from the candlelight.
They led up, glistening on the fitted boddice and long sleeves.
The veil was covering her face, but there was enough of a glow where I saw her as if nothing would ever separate us again.
The sight was what my dreams were made of.
But even my mind back then couldn’t do Marian justice.
Hands kept gripping to my shoulder from the men Elec had stand at my side, but nothing could take me away from her stare as she walked up.
My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes stung through years of clashing memories.
God, was I on the verge of breaking? Marian was crying, but she was smiling.
She was elated, and I savored that second of realization as it hit.
Happy. She was so fucking happy… to be married to me.
Me. The son of a bitch who had done nothing but dream of crushing her with my pain.
Fuck. I was not going to show emotion… but I knew I already was. Probably a lot more than I should.
I shifted, trying to compose myself through the blurry room.
Quinton kept holding to my bicep. Whether it was for him or me, I had no idea.
I couldn’t think. I couldn’t see anything but light eyes as Elec led her forward, handing her off to me.
Marian gave her bouquet to her maid of honor, turning to place her hands deeper within mine as we faced each other.
And then I felt it. I felt my world complete.
Her eyes. Her eyes…I couldn’t breathe. I felt like I was falling down a dark tunnel, and I couldn’t escape.
But I had been waiting for this again. I wanted to be here. I wanted… her. I wanted… to keep this.
Forever seemed to last. Marian blinked, turning to look at the minister, and I felt something shift inside me.
Something consuming. Just seeing her soak in his words, I couldn’t help but lean forward and whisper.
I had to say something. I had to be honest and tell her what was on my mind. “You look beautiful.”
Time stopped as she gave me a breath-taking smile. “I don’t hold a candle to you. You’re the beautiful one.”
“Not true. I… I’ve wanted this forever.”
“Me too.”
Pink tinted her cheeks, and I saw the shy girl who used to blush at my compliments. She would always hide her face, but she never left me out. She never held back on returning the praise. More burning to my eyes. Fuck.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to join Drayton Alexander Pennington and Marian Renee LaRoe in the sacred contract of marriage. Drayton and Marian come together as two souls, vowing to walk together in love, devotion, and commitment.”
Marian brought up my hand, kissing my index finger even though the minister continued. I had no idea what he was saying as I soaked in the way her eyes were sparkling through the mix of happiness and tears. I was captivated. Spellbound as time passed and I lifted her hand up to mirror her action.
“And now, we’ll exchange the rings.”
I blinked through the words, turning to take the rings from the boy as Marian did the same, taking a ring from a child I could barely even remember walking up.
“Drayton, do you take, Marian, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
I kept my gazed locked on Marian’s as I slid the rings on her finger. “I do.”
Marian, do you take Drayton, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
The band slid home, and a weight dropped through me at its presence. I could barely contain the possessiveness that roared through.
“I do.”
“The symbolism of these rings represent unending love. A circle with no end. They are your eternal commitment to each other. Every time you look at these rings, let them remind you of the vows you have taken and the love that binds you. By the power vested in me—”
I heard nothing else. I lifted Marian’s veil, not waiting. Not caring. I wrapped one arm around her, pulling her in tightly as I held against the side of her throat. Our lips met and I was gone. And she was mine. Mine. Mine.
The word wouldn’t stop. It was Marian easing back that had me blinking through the enchantment. Marian LaRoe was no more. She was Marian Pennington now. For always. Until death.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
My impatience had the crowd’s laughter mixing in with the cheers.
I glanced at Elec who was standing in front of the first chair, in the first row.
He was clapping with everyone else. There was a satisfaction on his face that seemed to match what I felt inside.
A knowing that this was right. That it was good.
“Wife.” I scooped her up in a mass of silk and lace.
Marian giggled, kissing against my cheek as I carried her down the aisle.
Maybe we were supposed to walk and wave.
Maybe we were supposed to offer thanks to those who were attending.
Was there a tradition to this? I didn’t give a shit.
There would be no reception. No party. Just…
revenge. But not to her. Never to her again.
Right now, I needed Marian. I wanted her.
Even at the thought, I held her closer to me.
She had to be close. She had to stay with me forever.
And she would now. She said vows. I saw her expression as she recited them.
From the depths of her soul, she’d meant them. Marian was mine now. Mine…
“Drayton.”
I had barely made it through the doors of the large room and back into the lobby before I was turning to face Elec. He walked up so calmly. So… smug? I wasn’t sure. I could never read him, but he didn’t appear upset, and I couldn’t think clearly enough to figure it out.
“It’s late for a flight. Stay here tonight.
After we meet in the morning, you can fly to Chicago.
Confront your parents with the news. No one here will tell your secret.
” His arms wrapped over his chest, but one of his hands lifted so that he tapped against his cheek.
“Actually…” He glanced at Marian, only to come back to me.
“Come to think of it, catching them off-guard is so overrated. Perhaps you should call them when you get to your room. Make them sweat out your return. You could state your demands. Prepare them for your arrival in the morning with your wife. You don’t have to tell them yet who she is.
Only that she exists and will be accompanying you to oversee the status of your new estate.
And the business dealings, of course. I’m afraid your brother wasn’t as schooled as you when it came to running things smoothly.
Luckily, your wife says she’s a shark. I’m sure the two of you will get things back to normal in no time. ”
His eyes went flat, changing into a nothingness that had me pulling Marian closer as he put his attention on her.
“Elec, I’m the deadliest shark out there, and we both know it. I will fix everything and merge the LaRoe and the Pennington businesses first thing. It’s going to turn the world upside-down. You should probably call your broker tonight.”
“I handle my own investments.”
Still nothingness. Anger?
“Then I don’t need to tell you what to do.
You’re smart. You’ll put your money where it belongs.
I know you’re not happy about it with mine and Drayton’s past, or because of my mother, but we’ll settle that soon when you find the evidence.
You’re doing the right thing.” Was that a tinge of fear I detected?
“We’ll see you at Headquarters after our trip to Chicago.
” Marian’s fingers traced over my cheek, turning me towards her.
“Let’s go to our room so you can call your parents and tell them your big news. ”
“Yes. It’s time they learn.” I threw Elec a nod, barely seeing him as I turned for the elevator.
The moment the doors closed, Marian pulled me in, taking my mouth.
Her tongue pushed in, and I never wanted to leave our moment.
Was I forgetting something? There was a tugging at the back of my mind, but I couldn’t find what it was in all the emotions that kept stealing me away.
The ding led me forward, and I broke away long enough to get us to our hotel’s door. It was barely shut behind us before our lips met each other again. I managed to make it to the bed, but I had no idea how I got there. It was Marian pulling back that had me opening my eyes.
“First, the call. Once we start…”
I smiled, nodding. Knowing. We weren’t going to be done any time soon. If I didn’t call now, I wouldn’t find the chance.
I pushed to stand, taking the phone from my pocket.
It was already late. Dinner was over. Family time didn’t exist anymore, but everyone would still be up.
That’s what mattered. Hitting the button, I put it on speakerphone, pacing as the phone began to ring.
After two rings, my father answered. His voice was flat like always, just reminding me what a disappointment I was to him.
“Drayton. What now?”
My eyes met Marian’s, and I watch the happiness get sucked right out of them. I could have killed for less than that.
“Don’t worry, Father, I don’t plan to bother you for long. I just wanted you to know that I got married.”
Silence.
“Married? To whom?”
I smiled as Marian bit against her lip and lifted to her knees on the bed. I came forward, reaching to cup her cheek. My thumb traced over her lips.
“You’ll see. We’re coming home tomorrow.”
“This isn’t your home anymore, Drayton. You know that.”
“Our law would beg to differ. Don’t worry, I won’t kick you and mother out. My work is in Hollywood, but I will be home, and I will get business in order. Expect us.”
“Drayton, what the hell are you talking about? Drayton—”
My smile grew as I hung up and turned off my cell.
I lowered, crushing my lips to Marian’s.
She was already reaching behind to try to take the dress off, but I quickly took over for her.
Patience didn’t exist for me in our moment of victory.
I was heir. Marian was mine. And the second part of my revenge was only just beginning…