Chapter Drayton
Drayton
Anyone but me. Anyone… but… me?
The words looped, grinding and twisting in my mind as each repeated. Each echo made me angrier than the last. Her rejection was just one more thing added to the list of shit that was meant to hurt me.
Anyone. But. Me.
Hell, she all but got down on one knee and proposed to Elec. Chosen him… over me. He used to fucking be my best friend. And she’d rather marry him than me?
Well, I had told her my plans. Could I blame her for not wanting to be hurt on top of already suffering at The Order?
Marian wasn’t stupid. She knew the battle between us was inevitable.
It was only a matter of time. She may have said she didn’t say those things on her own free will, but I wasn’t so quick to buy into it.
Then again… Bram had seen proof that she was being honest, and he was pulling it up right now so that I could see the truth for myself.
He meant to… convince me. I couldn’t believe it.
I couldn’t believe her. If they were right…
if… she hadn’t been responsible, and what she told Elec was the truth about the shot, what did that mean? What did I do?
“I can’t stomach the smell in here. I’m not eating this.
” Elec glanced over, pushing his plate further away on the small table in the room we’d been given for Marian.
Where she couldn’t eat fast enough, Bram and Elec hadn’t touched their plates.
They’d been whispering as Bram went through his phone.
“It’s not bad.” I took another bite of roast, using my fork and knife to shred more from the thick slice of meat. “It’s actually really good. Tender. And there’s this flavor. I can’t place my finger on it. It’s—”
Elec’s hand lifted, cutting me off as he shook his head.
“What? Am I missing something?”
“Maybe not. I don’t know. I’m not trying the food to find out.”
“Is it poisoned?”
Marian’s question had them looking over.
“No. I doubt it.” Bram’s tone was casual, but his eyes didn’t lift from the screen.
“Can I have your plate, then?”
She finished off her potatoes with gravy, placing the empty dish on the bed as her hands impatiently lifted for his. Elec grabbed his plate and stood, leaving Bram and walking it over.
“Here’s the proof you wanted to see.” “Bram’s voice was low as he handed me his phone.
“And the reason we’re not eating is because they have a baby farm here.
They breed slaves for the menu. Some like the taste.
I doubt that’s what they served. us. Then again, it’s a delicacy. They’d want to give us… the best.”
“Babies? I just ate—I—Babies? I’m going to be sick.”
“Don’t you dare,” I snapped to Marian. “You haven’t eaten in days. Forget the… meat.” I glanced down at my own plate, and I had to swallow past my own sickness over the thought. “Eat everything else.”
Marian was fanning herself, paler than I’d seen her in the last few hours. “I’m not so hungry anymore. How much longer until we know something? I want to go home.”
Bram looked at his watch. “It shouldn’t be much longer.”
“You’re not going home, Marian. You’re coming to mine. Did you forget? I own you now.”
She rolled her eyes but stayed quiet as I put my attention to the video Bram had handed over. It was of a dark room, but the light from the hallway gave view of a path right to Marian’s bed as I pressed play. I knew her room. I’d snuck in there before.
Melissa headed through, glancing behind her as she quickly walked forward.
Her hands were clenched down at her side, and for seconds she stood over Marian, staring down at her sleeping frame.
Marian’s hands were pressed into each other in a prayer position, tucked under her chin as she slept on her side.
Slowly, Melissa leaned forward, and I saw the syringe as she led it to Marian’s bicep.
Heat blistered inside of me at Marian’s small whimper.
Just as quickly as she’d given her the shot, she pulled her hand back.
After what Elec had done to her earlier—what she’d said—Marian was a victim, just like me.
To be faced with the truth. To stomach what I’d been so hesitant to believe—
“Son of a bitch.” The threat in my words had nowhere to go. No one to be directed to. It had the anger intensifying as Marian’s younger self groggily called out.
“Ouch. Mom, what are you doing?”
“Get up, Marian. We’re going to The Pennington Estate.”
“I told you no. I love Drayton. I won’t—”
Whack!
The impact was hard, causing me to close my eyes as I stopped the video and thrust it back to Bram.
“What was that? Was that—Is that the proof?”
Bram didn’t have time to answer before knocking sounded and the door opened. Two guards stood at the entrance.
“The Unavowed requests your presence.”
“Thank God.”
Elec let out a deep breath, and I hesitantly walked over.
My hand had a slight shake to it as my arm went out to Marian.
There was defensiveness from both of us, but she knew I’d protect her.
It had her arm lifting so that she could hold to my bicep.
To anyone else, she was hurt. It looked like I was helping her, but my real help would come if anyone tried to separate us.
I wasn’t letting her go anywhere. Not without me. Especially not now.
Innocent.
Victim.
Reality was chaos inside me as I tried to process and let the video sink in. All those years... All that pain for both of us…
“Can you walk? I can carry you. I don’t mind.”
“I’m not weak, Drayton.”
“No, you’re injured. That’s not weak; it’s strong. You’re strong. You don’t have to be right now. It may play in our favor if you don’t.”
My words were low. Marian’s eyes rose to mine and something passed between us that made my heart race.
“I do want to leave.”
She didn’t have to say more. I scooped her up, carrying her out of the room.
The way her arms came around me, it was the tiniest piece of home.
Not a location, but a feeling of finally finding my place in life.
And this is where we were. Hell, itself.
But I was carrying her. I had her back for the meantime. Innocent. Innocent.
“You pretended to be so nice to me in the hotel. It was a lie. You already knew you owned me… didn’t you.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Yes. What I did was for the public. For the circle. For the camera that was recording us. You admitted I didn’t rape you. We kissed. It fit the narrative of—”
“Reconciliation.”
“Exactly.”
“And Bastian? Where is he at in all this? How did you even find me here?”
My lips twisted, and I didn’t want to think over what I discovered.
“Bastian’s a coward. He’s home, hiding from me.
He knows I own you now, and that you’re here.
I’m not going to let this go. What he did—What he allowed to happen—Elec and I are working on it, but that’s going to take time.
The only reason he was in Miami to begin with was because he got wind that The Unavowed might try to abduct you.
I guess he thought his appearance and number of guards at the hotel would deter him.
The moment his intel got wind that The Unavowed was spotted and had his own men, they rushed him out.
He ran because he wouldn’t stand against this bastard.
I was the hiccup, and only because I had no idea what was happening.
I took you first. The Unavowed just… knocked me out and took you from me. ”
“What?” Her head reared back, and she met my eyes. “You? But—You? No, it was another man. A couple.”
I gave her a look, and it had her lips parting.
“That was you?”
“Hollywood can be pretty convincing.”
“No shit. That was really you?”
“It was. Now lay your head down and hold onto me.” I headed for the doors Elec and Bram entered through. “Whatever happens, don’t let go. I won’t either.”
Marian paused as she kept my eye contact, but obeyed, lowering her head and holding on tighter. “What if they make me stay?”
“They won’t.”
“What if they do?”
I approached the doors. “I’m not leaving here without you.”
Marian grew quiet as we entered. I headed for Bram and Elec, coming to a stop between them as we faced the throne The Unavowed sat on.
Penny was gone, and that didn’t make me feel good as he stared down at the phone he had resting along the top of the arm of his black iron chair.
It had me taking it in, and I noticed just how weathered the seat truly was.
It wasn’t merely just worn from centuries of use.
It was scarred and pitted with deep gouges in locations.
It told a story of its own. The angular shapes at the top were jagged and unforgiving, just as history had been to this bloodline.
What was the story of this man I was meant to sign a contract with for my future heir?
I knew nothing of The Black Line or the family The Unavowed came from.
I didn’t even know the plans of where he meant to take his line in the future, but he wanted me and Marian to be part of that. Maybe.
“They’re here. You may continue with your decision.”
His tone was deep as his stare came up to me and he took in Marian. I waited for her to speak up. To contest their choice concerning me at all. She didn’t.
“This was not an easy decision after weighing the evidence and agreements. The Collective High Council takes everything into account. Our responsibility to all involved cannot go without mention. Sometimes the benefits outweigh the cost. Sometimes, the cost is too high, and elimination is the only benefit. In the case of Marian LaRoe.” At the pause, our arms tightened around each other.
“Marian is to be owned by Drayton Pennington, where they are bound by a betrothal contract to The Black Line’s choice of heir.
They are to marry at The Unavowed by witness of The Council, and they are to attempt to conceive with witness this very night.
There is no more negotiation. Our ruling is final. ”
A heartbreaking sob left Marian as her body shook against me. The room was silent as the line went dead. I was… stunned. Outraged.
“Marriage, tonight?” I looked between the men. “A witness in the room while we try to conceive. Seriously? Marian can barely even walk. She’s not ready for something like that.”
“The Council has decided.” Bram’s face held no emotion as he kept eye contact. “It must be done. Find a way. You marry in an hour.”
The Unavowed stood, motioning for his guards.
“Prepare the chapel. Take the… Marian to chamber A2 so she can prepare.” Marian’s head lifted, and I could feel her stiffen. “Tell the kitchen. We will celebrate the joining.”
A guard approached, but my hand shot up. “I’ll take her to the room, myself.”
“You’re going to leave me?”
The Unavowed stepped closer.
“Marian, you have my word you will not get hurt again. You’ve paid your price.”
“We’ll get ready for the marriage together. She’s going to need help getting ready. I’ll be the one to do that.”
“If you wish.”
At his gesture, I met Elec’s eyes but followed the guard.
I didn’t like this. Not the rush. Not the location for a marriage.
The circle would take the news as a scandal to begin with.
To not have a public wedding… it was unheard of for a line as powerful as both of ours.
And then there was the conception part. I could have pretended and waited this out until she healed.
I couldn’t do that if they were demanding witnesses.
The Council wanted proof. Maybe even proof they could see.
It made my skin burn like fire. Had she not been through enough sexual trauma?
Now I’d bring on even more? She didn’t even want to marry me.
She sure as hell didn’t want to have sex or conceive a child with me.
Sobs. Although silent, they shook her. Her pain increased my anger.
It distorted the part of me that had craved the need to make her pay.
I hated the entire situation. There was no justice where I was concerned, nor did I see a chance where I could get it.
Even time didn’t grant a clear opportunity.
It was all too much now that she was innocent.
Where did all this anger and blame go? Melissa was dead.
The Unavowed was untouchable. There was no one to take this rage out on.
“Is it the money?”
“What?” I looked down but continued through the halls behind the guard.
“I’m worth a fortune. Is that why you’re marrying me? You don’t love me anymore. You truly can’t want all the drama this is going to stir. It has to be the revenge and my inheritance.”
“I care nothing for the money, Marian. Revenge… what revenge? You’re innocent. I saw what your mother did to you. Besides, what could I do worse than what you’ve already gone through? I’m not a rapist.”
“No. You’re not. But you’re not one to let go or back down either.”
“I’m not.”
We both got quiet. I stared ahead but couldn’t stop myself from looking back down at her. Marian was still looking at me.
“I wanted revenge. I wanted you to pay for what you did. To suffer like me.”
“I did suffer, Drayton.”
“You lost nothing.”
“I lost everything. I lost you!” Marian pushed against me, twisting in my arms. “Let me down. I’ll take the pain over being so close to you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I’m serious, Drayton. Let me down.”
I jerked to a stop, roughly letting her legs fall and placing her on her feet. The fast movements had Marian crying out and nearly collapsing as she fell into the stone wall.
“Go ahead. Walk.”
A sob. “There he is. There’s the real Dray.
Don’t hold back because this pain didn’t come at your hand.
We both know you wished it did. I accuse you of rape, and here I am.
Beaten. Raped by more than a dozen men. Pissed on.
Humiliated. Showered in their cum. Forced to drink it down.
Congratulations. Karma did what you couldn’t.
It’s not your revenge, but it was gifted to you anyway.
Happy Wedding Day, Drayton. This is everything I’ve ever wanted and more. ”
My feet rooted to the floor as Marian continued on. Her hand stayed against stone while she took small, slow steps. The guard stopped, waiting, but I could see his impatience. And I felt the horror in me grow at her words.
Innocent. Innocent.
I lunged forward, scooping Marian back into my arms as I stomped toward the man in front of me. Just seeing that he wore a blue uniform sent me raging even more. To hear what Marian had been through—and not at my hand—to know she didn’t deserve any of it—I couldn’t fucking swallow it down.
I had to.