Drayton
“I don’t know. I mean, you have business with Elec and Quinn. I’m sure they’d prefer I sit this meeting out. I don’t mind eating in the room.”
I pulled Marian to a stop outside the elevator doors. “Do you hear yourself? When have I ever given a shit what people thought? Especially concerning you?” I pulled her in, searching her eyes… searching…
The euphoria and addiction were there at having her back.
“Of course I remember.” I licked my lips. “God, seeing you cut that motherfucker apart.” More, I brought her impossibly closer. “I’ll never forget that.”
“You’re supposed to be making me pay. You wanted revenge. I hurt you and your family.”
“You did pay. You gave me back the pieces.”
“I did,” she said softly. “But Elec and Quinn might not understand that. They may still feel angry towards me. They might think it odd that you’re not still mad at me too. It’s okay if you want to be mean to me in front of them. I understand.”
My hand fisted, but I forced my fingers out as I pushed in the button.
“I said I don’t give a shit what they think. You’re my wife. If they don’t want to see me happy, why the fuck are they in my life then?”
Marian’s mouth parted and her head quickly shook. “They want you happy. They do. Maybe just… not with me.”
“They’ll get over it. You’re mine. Elec gave you to me to have. Now, he can back off and let us live our lives.” I winced. The pounding was coming back, and I was exhausted. “I’m getting a headache.”
“Me too,” Marian rushed out. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” She slid her fingers through mine, bringing up my hand to kiss against my knuckles. The double doors opened, and my stare met hers. I swept her into my arms, kissing her hard as I lifted her off the ground and walked us into the elevator.
A muffled sound vibrated against my lips, and I lowered Marian, letting her adjust her sweater and slacks. She gave me a half smile, but the shyness I detected had her quickly looking away.
Happy. I was so fucking happy when I should have been keeping my distance until evidence came out on her claims.
“Get over here.” The words were practically growled out as I pulled her back into me.
“I can’t believe you’re even bringing up how I should be still getting my revenge on you.
Maybe I should.” I gripped into her ass.
“With a belt. Or a paddle. Elec said I should take a page out of Jack’s book and have you take more of a traditional role in our marriage instead of allowing you freedom to still work.
Georgie stepped down from running her family’s companies.
Now, she’s Jack’s secretary. They’re inseparable. ”
Marian gasped, and I watched her expression change. It looked like a million things started going through her mind. “Wow, it’s been so long. I can’t see Georgie being so compliant. A secretary for Jack?”
I laughed. “For now. I saw them when I met Elec at Headquarters. Being Secretary of State, Jack was there for business. Anyway, Georgie was standing at his side, not saying a word. You know Georgetta. She loves socializing. But fuck, there was this glow about her as she stood there almost shyly. She was so happy, Marian. It didn’t take a genius to see how in love they are. They’re trying for their second child.”
Again, she gasped. “A second? They already have one? Really? I’ve missed so much. Traditional role,” she said lowly. “Of course.”
The doors opened and I led Marian out, wrapping my arm around her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“It’s her only job now. She took a break from her family’s companies after their first, but she went back for a while and wasn’t happy.
Jack wasn’t having it. He hates to see her upset.
Next thing you know, she announced her new position.
Her only focus now is on being a mother, wife… and secretary.”
More emotions transformed Marian’s face as she glanced at me. Excitement? Relief?
“That’s great. Genius,” she breathed out under her breath.
“I mean, so long as it’s not permanent. She needs a break, and I’m happy for her.
Georgie is a damn good businesswoman. She came to London last year and we had lunch.
She’s vicious. She deserves to have a loving family after the hard work she’s put in.
I think being in a more traditional role for a while is exactly what she needs.
Sometimes it’s nice to just… not think… and lose your identity.
To have your husband make the decisions. You know?”
I stopped us, looking towards Elec and Quinn in the distance. They were sitting at a table, staring in our direction. I focused back on Marian, trying to read her expression. I kept coming back to her stare… searching. Searching. There was a longing to just… have her inside me. To be part of me.
“The traditional role she’s taking, that interests you?”
She smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with it. I see it as an opportunity to become the best mother and wife you can. The husband has control. That allows the wife to focus on what’s important. But everyone knows if done correctly, the benefits are for both.”
“And what about the discipline part of it?”
Another blush. “I don’t mind pain. The love that can be formed.
The trust. Pain can heal wounds that are almost always unreachable.
It can help us see things we’re sometimes blind to until we don’t have a choice but to face it.
It’s an overall reset, and there’s nothing wrong with that if the circumstances call for it.
” She grabbed my hand. “And what if they do? What if I asked you to do this to me? For me? Think about how this would look to everyone else. They’re not going to understand us being together.
Everyone knows how intense I am. I’m all business.
If I delay. If I put that on hold—This could at least show them that we’re serious about making this work. ”
“Marian—”
“We’ll face your parents first and take care of business, but we tell them it’s coming.
We tell Elec and Quinn. Think about it. It only lasts however long you want it to.
It can be a few weeks. It’s going to take that long to get the companies ready anyway.
It buys us time, and it looks better to the circle despite that I’m innocent.
And I am, but regardless, they’ll be able to accept us more if they know how serious we are about making this work.
Drayton., they have to see it, or they’ll never understand how we’re able to love each other after everything that’s happened.
This is bigger than us. This is about our children.
Our future.” Marian stepped in. “Please, just give it thought. I think I need this. For me. And you. I really think you need this too.”
Again, I glanced to Elec and Quinn, turning back to her. A traditional marriage. At least for a little while. Hadn’t I already considered this? Everything was blurring together. Everything was getting jumbled in my mind. Sleep. I needed to fucking sleep.
“Let me think on it.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded, leading her into the restaurant as I set us down at the table. Marian barely looked up, which had me twisting my mouth as I ordered us drinks.
“How did the call go?”
I threw Elec a look. “It went as expected. My father was blindsided. He had no idea. I’m sure he’s reeling this very moment and possibly burning down the estate just so it can’t be mine again.
“He’ll get over it when he sees how you turn things around.” Elec took a drink of his coffee, glancing at Marian who was still looking towards the table. “Marian will help with that. Isn’t that right… shark?”
“Damn right.” She paused as we took our coffee from the waiter. When he left, Marian finally looked up to Elec. “My people are already on the move. They’re preparing for my orders. I’m waiting on Drayton’s.”
Marian’s eyes connected with mine, but she quickly diverted them away. Loud noise from the chair scraping against the wooden floor had people turning towards us as I pulled her chair next to mine. Elec paused in taking a drink, and Marian’s eyes were wide as she looked between him and Quinn.
“There. Better.” I picked up my coffee, taking a sip as they all suddenly looked towards me. “What?”
“… Nothing.” Elec’s studious gaze bounced between me and Marian, but he continued. “So, what are you both thinking for a timeline? How long will it take to merge the companies and have them running smoothly? Are we thinking a Pennington-LaRoe announcement or…?”
At Marian’s silence, I leaned in, burying my nose in her hair, letting her smell take me over. I didn’t turn to Elec as I felt my insides heat.
“No LaRoe. Marian doesn’t claim that name anymore.” I kept my forehead against her head, but turned to face Elec. “We’re Penningtons, and by the time I’m done with Marian, there will be no LaRoe left of her. Isn’t that right, wife.”
There was a threat in my tone, but Marian’s body melted into mine as she nodded.
“I’m a Pennington now. I never want to hear the name LaRoe again.”
Elec seemed to relax a little, nodding and pushing fruit around his plate.
“It’s for the best. It’s a bold move for business, but a smart one for the circle. The name dies in all ways. It’s time.”
“Yes,” Marian agreed, drinking more of her coffee. I couldn’t stand that she wouldn’t look at me, and it fed my need to get her attention. It left me anxious yet angry, and isn’t that how she wanted me to appear anyway?
“Drayton, just before your vows, when I was taking Marian down, I mentioned to her that I might need her help with some evidence we’re uncovering.
We didn’t really get to talk much about it, but there are videos and documents that need to be deciphered.
We have people to do that, but some of these documents might tie to something big, and they’re business-related.
I’d get Georgie to do it, but Jack forbids her to become involved until after she gives birth.
She’s not even pregnant yet, so that’s not happening any time soon.
With how sensitive these accounts are, I don’t trust just anyone to see them. ”
My finger tapped against the table. It had me pausing a long moment as I stopped myself.
The damn fogginess was getting worse. I had to get my mind right before I went into another episode.
I didn’t want that, which meant sleep was vital.
With my violent history, there was no telling the sort of destruction I would cause. And it could be bad. Dangerous.
“You act like I don’t have a business degree. I’m the heir, Elec. I was raised to run Pennington.” My head shook. “I’ll look over them for you. Marian can assist if I need her or she recognizes something I don’t. She doesn’t have much longer, herself.”
“I don’t understand.” Elec placed down his cup, leaning his forearms on the table. Quinn’s eyes were taking in my every move. There was worry for Marian, but also something else I wasn’t quite sure of.
I kissed against the side of Marian’s head, forcing myself to lean back in my chair and put distance between us.
“My wife.” I stopped as my chest tightened with the term.
Love. Longing. I’d never get over losing her for so long.
And what if she was telling the truth? What if she didn’t have a choice in what she said?
“My wife has a long way to go before we’re on equal footing.
I’ve considered your suggestion on a traditional union, and I believe we’ll take that route.
It’s for the best, and it’s the way we both choose to start this marriage.
We have a long way to go until we make it to where we need.
Marian still must prove her innocence. She—”
“She’s innocent.”
My mind stalled through Elec’s matter-of-fact tone.
“How do you know that?”
Elec took out his phone. “Because I was given access to the tapes last night after your ceremony. I’ve watched the videos, and I have it right here.
It was easy enough to find once I plugged in the date the accusation took place.
Marian wasn’t lying about anything she’s claimed.
She did argue with her mother. She defended you.
And Melissa did give her a shot. And…” Elec looked between me and Marian.
My wife’s lips were trembling as the tears ran down her cheeks.
She was so silent. So stiff beside me. “You can hear Melissa order Marian to accuse you. You can see her use her… persuasion. With the combination of Scopolamine and—”
“Sco—what?”
“Devil’s breath, ironically enough. In most cases, it causes amnesia which explains why Marian doesn’t remember a lot from that night.
Truthfully, after the lab report I saw, Marian shouldn’t even be alive right now.
” Elec paused. “It wasn’t your wife who said those things to your parents.
And now thanks to me, everyone in the circle will know the truth.
I put the videos up in our virtual circuit not an hour ago.
It holds the latest news and any input on those who are victims of Melissa.
I even posted a picture on the website of the labs the doctor ran on her that following morning.
Marian was heavily drugged. She had no control over what happened that night.
I made sure to make a formal statement on that as well underneath the evidence. ”
“I’ve already watched it on our site,” Quinn said, glancing up at me. “She’s innocent, Dray.”
A broken-up breath left Marian as she gripped hard to my arm, but spoke to Elec. “You mean it? You did all that? The circle will know the truth?”
“They’ll know.” He still looked between us. “We’re in this together now. We’re friends. I help you…and you help me. And I need your help. But one thing at a time. Right now, I want you focused on Chicago. You can tell me all about it on your pitstop to Headquarters when you’re finally headed home.”