Marian #2
“Penny, can I ask you a question?” Her head lifted and she sniffled, nodding. “The man that took you, you said he was desperate for you. I know you managed to escape, but… did you feel the same way for him? Did you love him?”
Her lips parted. Nothing came as her eyes began to roam the room. A tear slid free, but still she stayed silent.
“It’s okay to tell the truth. There is not a right or wrong answer to this question, and I’m not going to judge you.
You were there for a long time. Months. Hearing him speak those words.
Feeling… loved, especially since you were traumatized and confined.
It wouldn’t be your fault if you were to develop feelings for this stranger. ”
“But he killed my parents.”
“He did, and I’m not excusing that. But that doesn’t make you numb from feeling emotions.”
She nodded. “I should hate him. I know I should. I just—” A sob did break through, then. “Sometimes I just wish I wouldn’t have run at all. I’m so confused.”
My arms opened, and she came back to me to hold.
Murder was not excusable, but unfortunately it was part of our elite world.
Families conspired. They battled. They married or killed for what they wanted.
It was just what we did. Who hated Penny’s father?
Who was his enemy? It might be worth talking to Katia about.
But that discussion was for another day. We were both mentally exhausted from crying. This was not how I wanted this vacation to go.
“Penny, why don’t you go take a shower and clean up while I try to get ahold of Elliot. I need to call Drayton too.”
“I think a shower is exactly what I need.”
Penny stood, heading for her suitcase. While she got her clothes together, I tried to call Elliot again. Still no answer. When his voicemail kicked on, I shook my head, continuing to leave a message.
“Elliot, it’s me. Where are you? Bastian said you had an emergency. You need to call me back.”
Hanging up, I dialed my father as I watched Penny close herself inside the bathroom. Then, I tried dialing my mother. Nothing. It went straight to voicemail for both.
I looked down at my phone, wishing I didn’t still have Drayton’s number memorized. How was it even possible after so much time? I knew how. I had called that number a million times over the years. It hadn’t worked. Would it now?
I dialed, closing my eyes through the rings. The huskiness of his voice nearly had me hanging up.
“It works. Holy shit.” He paused. “I wasn’t sure you would call.”
My lips pressed together. “How did you know it was me?”
“You’re calling me from your cell. International call. Talk to me.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I stood from the bed, starting to pace. “Why are you here? In Miami?”
A pause. “Quinn needed to get away. I needed a vacation. We decided to come to Florida to clear our heads.”
“How did you find me?”
“By pure accident. I wasn’t even sure it was you at first.” He paused. “The sun was setting. I didn’t have the best view, but when I saw that there was a book convention there this weekend and Jenn was attending, I knew I had to be right. Marian, walk out to your balcony.”
I glanced over, swallowing hard as I obeyed. I opened the French doors, stepping out. Cars buzzed from underneath, and wind blew back my hair. I glanced around, seeing nothing.
“Look straight ahead. You see the open curtains?”
I squinted.
“Yeah, but I can’t really see inside.”
“I’m lying on my bed. I see you perfectly clear.” Seconds passed, and Drayton came into view as he stepped closer, right to the floor-length window.
“And you saw me last night?”
“I did. I have to say, I thought I was dreaming. I almost couldn’t believe it.
I’ve tried to get in touch with you for years.
Then, there you were. So close, yet so far.
I tried to get your attention, but I have no balcony.
I was lucky to even get in the hotel this morning.
Seeing Jenn when I did, that was pure luck on my part. Fate.”
“Fate,” I whispered, repeating the one word he used to always use in reference to us. “What about Elliot? How did you know about him or that he was gone?”
“I only knew about Elliot because…well, I called around. I never knew his name, but I knew his face. I’ve seen him in London before when I tried to see you.
More than once, actually. This morning, I saw you both leave the hotel.
You returned, but then he left without you.
It didn’t seem right to me after how long he’s been at your side.
But then I noticed the other guards. Lots of them.
Jenn showing up… She had so many boxes. It was a distraction.
I took the opportunity to help direct the staff.
And she took right to me. I think they thought we were there with her. Like I said, fate.”
“Drayton, we need to talk about what happened.”
“I agree, but not over the phone.”
“I can’t leave. I have no guard.”
“You think you need to be protected from me?”
“No,” I rushed out. “It’s not for me; it’s for Penny.
Elliot’s not here, and she can’t be left alone.
She’s under my care.” I lowered my voice, glancing to the bathroom where the shower was still going in the distance.
“Her parents were elites. They were murdered a while back. She was held captive for four months by some masked man. She barely managed to escape, but they never caught him. It’s not safe for her to be here by herself. ”
“It doesn’t sound safe for either of you. Where is Elliot, Marian? Did you ever find out?”
My jaw clenched as anger once again took over.
“Bastian said he had to leave. That there was an emergency.” My head shook as my hair whipped around me.
I tried to keep the panic at bay, but internally my instincts were screaming.
“I don’t like this. Elliot wouldn’t just leave me, Drayton.
Not without giving me an explanation or bringing in someone he trusted.
I… don’t know what to think. I tried to call my parents to see if the emergency revolved around them, but no one is answering.
Not that that’s abnormal. I rarely speak to them these days. ”
Drayton slowly nodded.
“If you leave tonight, they’ll stop you. The book convention is tomorrow. The place will be packed. Go about your day as normal. I’ll find you.”
“If you don’t? What if you can’t get in?” My words were rushed. Afraid?
“Hell couldn’t stop me from getting to you.
Tomorrow, the past dies for good. We need to clear the air, no matter what that is.
We’ll decide what comes of our future. No more parents.
No guards. No more rules or laws. Just me and you in charge of our own lives like it should have been to begin with. What do you say, Marian?”
Clear the air? A new start, no matter what that meant?
Friends? More? Yes. We did need to talk this out, even if nothing came from it but truth and peace of mind.
Drayton had to hear what I remembered of my side, and I so badly needed to hear his.
It was time we put the past behind us. We both deserved closure. Forgiveness?
“I’ll find you, Dray. I won’t leave until I do.”