Drayton
There was no going back. Sure, it wasn’t the smartest thing to put myself in Marian’s presence when I was about to have her taken, but it was vital for my overall plans.
Especially concerning our past. The public didn’t know about the accusations, but those in the circle did.
If we were going to marry, we needed a public rekindling.
One so full of emotion that there was no fooling the masses when the news came out.
I wasn’t guilty, and they needed to see that.
To think our every move wasn’t being watched or recorded was stupid.
Alibis were only as good as the evidence you had to support them.
The cameras would see us together. If I was good, they’d see the moment I got Marian to question any feelings she’d ever had for me, and then it would be obvious that she lied.
“I’m not a stranger.” Quinn moved in, looking hurt. “We grew up together, Marian.”
“That’s not what I meant. You don’t understand.
” She let out a deep breath, turning to pat against the woman’s hand that clung to her forearm.
To say I didn’t know about Penelope’s past was a lie.
I knew what she’d been through. I knew her fears.
I knew everything about those associated with my future wife.
I turned to the dark-haired younger woman, softening my expression. A scowl wanted to come, and I could barely push it away.
“Penny, this is my cousin Quinton.” Blue eyes darted over but shyly lowered.
“You look a little afraid. You can feel safe with him. He’d never let anyone hurt you.
He’s very protective over women. Would you like to grab a drink with him or let him take you to your room while I talk with Marian?
” I glanced up to narrowed eyes. Marian was hesitant.
Afraid. I shrugged at her. “Unless you prefer we go to your room.”
“You need to talk with him. Besides, I could use a drink,” Penny said, quietly, looking up to her.
“I’m not leaving you alone.”
“I’ll be fine. It’ll be a drink or two. We’ll be right there in the bar, and if I need you, I can text.”
“I’m not sure—”
“Marian.”
The name was more than an order from Penny. It was stern, not to mention unexpected for the previous soft tone and expression. Had it also been some sort of plea? I wasn’t sure.
“Fine. Fifteen minutes.” Marian glanced at me. “We can talk down by the pool area.”
“Great.” I smiled.
Public.
Perfect.
Quinton offered his arm, and Penny hesitantly took it.
As they began to walk away, I threw her a challenging look, doing the same.
Marian looked at my arm, flexing her jaw as she moved in and held to my bicep.
Each step from the lobby area was stiff on her part.
Her hand barely connected, and I could tell she wanted to do anything but have this upcoming conversation.
She wasn’t the only one. There was nothing left to say.
The time had already passed. It was too late for anything but excuses, and I didn’t tolerate those.
“How have you been, Drayton?”
“Great. Life has been… interesting,” I laughed. Fake. Oscar-worthy. “Hollywood. Who would have thought it could be so fun? There’s never a dull moment.”
Marian didn’t smile. She didn’t even look over at me. She just nodded, staring ahead.
“What about you, doll? Anything exciting on your end? Husband? A handful of kids?”
Her hair swayed as she looked over at me. After a few blinks, she quietly turned to face forward again. I wasn’t sure she was going to answer as I turned us and continued to a hallway that led to the pool.
“Not yet. I marry in a few months.”
“I see.” I lifted my arm, making it a point that I was looking at the hand she used to hold to me. “You’re not wearing a ring. I’d think you’d be happy. Is there a reason you don’t wear it?”
Still, she paused before she spoke.
“It’s a ridiculous ring. It catches on everything. I only wear it when I must. Special occasions. Parties. Bastian is fine with that.”
“Bastian.” The name left me with more of a growl than I intended. It had Marian’s gaze returning. “Bastian Allard, I take it.”
“Yes,” she said quietly.
“French royalty. Good for you.”
“Nobility, Drayton, they’re not the same.
” She made a disgusted sound. “I don’t want to talk about it.
” Marian’s voice became strangled as she pulled us to a stop and turned to face me.
“What is this about? What do you want from me? An apology? I’m sorry.
I’m so very sorry.” Tears were heavy in her eyes. “You have to know I am. I never meant—”
My hand lifted, cutting her off. “We were kids. Our parents were overprotective. One thing led to another. Things got blown out of proportion.”
“Out of proportion?” Marian’s lips parted as she shook her head at me. “Drayton, my parents ruined your life. I ruined your life.”
Cold. My insides were ice as I held in the hate that wanted to ooze free at her admitting the truth. A truth she was well aware of, and yet did nothing to end.
“We can’t change the past, doll.”
“Please don’t call me that.”
A tear spilled, and I reached up, caressing it across her cheek.
Our eyes held, and like fire to a fuse, my body exploded to life.
A mass of different emotions returned with an impact that nearly took my breath away.
I wanted her pain suddenly so much I couldn’t stand it.
My cock hardened, and I felt myself step into her.
I slid my hand down, cupping along her jaw and pushing my fingers into her hair as I eased her even more into me.
“I can’t call you doll? But that’s who you are to me. Who you’ll always be.”
“Drayton, please.”
Another tear raced down her face. A faucet of regrets… just for me.
I glanced over, pretending to look down the corridor, but all I saw was the camera in my peripheral.
“I know you didn’t mean what you said that night. You were confused.” Closer, my lips moved to hers. “I waited for you, Marian. For years.” Instinct. Rage. They collided and my fist tightened in her hair. “I still wait. Why didn’t you come back? Why didn’t you come home?”
A sob. Just as her hands pushed against my chest so she could break free, I surged forward, crushing my mouth to hers.
Her lips were hard, but her body immediately melted into my hold as I looped my free arm around the back of her waist. With the other, I angled her head further back, forcing my tongue into her mouth in a kiss that fed the detonation waiting to go off.
Hands added pressure again, and Marian seemed to catch herself and wiggle, trying to break free. The whimper only had me sucking against her bottom lip.
“D-Dray—"
“Shh.”
“Drayton.” Harder she pushed. “You have to stop.”
“You were kissing me back so good. Don’t ruin it now. We used to kiss for hours.” I dove back in, latching to her neck as Marian’s head turned. The taste of her skin nearly did me in.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
My smile was immediate. I flattened my hand on Marian’s back, still not letting her go as I moved my face in close, half nuzzling my nose against hers. With a small nip, I bit into Marian’s cheek.
“I think we’ve been caught, doll. Oops. I guess we should have gone to your room after all.”
“Let go of my fiancée.”
I did turn to face Bastian, then. “Or what? I do believe she was my fiancée first. She said forever. She meant it.”
I took in the two guards, looking back to Quinton and Penny who were just entering the hall. Marian tried adding resistance, but she couldn’t break free.
“Both of you stop.” Marian’s shaky hand flattened on my cheek, turning me to face her. When I met her stare, there was no mistaking the red-rimmed lids or how bloodshot her eyes were from the constant tears that kept pouring down her face. “I’m sorry. You have to let go.”
Let go? Did she know what she was asking?
My hands dropped, and I put them in the air, smiling at Bastian. The smile was anything but nice. I suddenly couldn’t fake the emotion with all the hate that rested within me.
“Drayton.”
“Marian?” I mimicked.
She swallowed hard. Had I expected her to run back to Bastian. She hadn’t moved from where I’d freed her. She was still close. We were still touching.
“Forevers die when the people who promise them perish. We died the day they took me, Mr. Sinn. The couple we used to be, those people don’t exist anymore. You have to know that.”
“Maybe.” I licked my lips, glaring up to Bastian, hearing his accusations filter through my mind.
“Or maybe,” I said, finally turning to meet her stare, “we prove everyone wrong and test the theory ourselves. We’re not kids anymore.
We make the rules. One more kiss, doll. Just meet my lips and you’ll never have to see any of them again. ”
Marian quickly took a step back. Panic. Longing?
“Again, I’m sorry for everything that happened. Have a nice life, Drayton.”
She turned, heading for Bastian as he took quick steps. I felt myself move forward just as he wrapped his arm around her and went to lead her away.
“I came to London.”
Marian jerked to a stop, spinning to face me.
“Every year for five years. I still come when I can. Did you ever wonder why they had you live in the same building you work in?”
Full lips parted, and Marian’s brow creased as she scanned my face. I knew that look. She was thinking. Analyzing.
“You’re impossible to reach. To see. To get ahold of.
Thousands of rejected calls. I can’t even email you.
Not even from fake accounts. They show undelivered every time.
There are more guards on you than you probably even know.
Where’s Elliot? He hasn’t been with you since you returned to the hotel this morning. ”
Marian’s head turned to the end of the hall, only to come back to me. She was looking everywhere in-between.
“How do you know that?”
“Answer.”
Marian blinked through her thoughts. “He left a message on my phone. He had an emergency meeting after we returned. I promised him I wouldn’t leave the room. I lied, obviously.”
“And you haven’t heard from him since? Is that normal?”
Marian shifted. “Something must be wrong.”
“Or maybe he’s not worried since Bastian is here with all of his guards.
Those two at his side. Please, they’re all for show.
The real ones you can’t even see. I’m surprised we got as far as we did before they were alerted.
The extremes everyone has taken to keep us apart would blow your mind.
You don’t want a life with the Allards.”
“And you think she wants a life with you?” Bastian gave an incredulous laugh. “The Devil of Hollywood? You raped her. Of course they kept you away. You’re lucky you’re not rotting behind bars.”
“Stop it!” Marian’s voice echoed loudly in the hallway. “Enough of this. He didn’t rape me, Bastian. I already told you that. I’m going to my room. Away from both of you.” She turned to me. “Are you staying at this hotel?”
Perfect.
Fucking fate.
A confession…
“No. I’m at the Miami Blues.”
“Room number in case I want to call?”
“Twenty-two-twelve.” I took another step forward. “But do me a favor. I recently got a very special phone. I want you to try to call it first. If it doesn’t work, call the hotel.”
“What’s your number?”
My face hardened at the truth. “It’s the same number it’s always been, Marian. I never changed it. Not when there was a chance you might call someday. And you will call. We’re not over. We never were.”
Tears. They were back in her eyes as Bastian began pulling her away. She was questioning everything, and I loved it. Soon, Marian would be mine. She wouldn’t have a choice. I’d break her. She’d pay for destroying me and my family, and with the resources I had, there wasn’t anyone who could stop me.