Chapter Drayton
Drayton
There was no escaping the truth now. The reality of how profound mine and Marian’s future with The Unavowed went was nearly bone deep.
The haunting look in Marian’s gaze as she stared ahead in what looked to be a daze didn’t escape me.
Instead of exchanging rings, they’d branded our ring fingers with a small, upside-down crown.
She barely even flinched as the smell of her burning flesh perfumed the space around us.
Marian took it better than I did. Hell, I cringed.
Not her. She’d made no changing expression.
She didn’t jump. She didn’t make a sound.
She was so far away, just like she was when Bram had led her down the aisle in front of all those Masters we didn’t even know.
Our vows were hollow. Our stares stayed on each other, not wandering to the strangers around us.
All we had was each other now. And him. We had him, too.
And Penelope, who stood at his side but kept quiet.
Marian wasn’t even looking at her. I knew if she would have been okay, she’d want to go forward.
Especially after how protective she’d been with her back at the hotel.
But already going to Penny had gotten Marian hurt, and Marian wasn’t ever going to forget that.
It made me nervous seeing how disconnected she was with reality, but it wasn’t going to get any better while we remained underground.
I wasn’t sure what was left. The Unavowed hinted at more payment from the murder, and he wasn’t going to let me off with just a brand of my former enemy.
And that’s who these people were. I was part of them now, torn between two circles that I’d never be good enough for.
The truth was only just setting in. The Penningtons used to be at the top with The Whitlocks.
Me and Bram…we were it. Not anymore. Not on my side.
Bram was part of the strongest force in the world.
The Collective High Council ran every circle of elites to exist. I wouldn’t ever make it there.
Not The Devil of Hollywood. Had I thought my life was hard as a fallen heir?
Even regaining my title, I was falling from grace all over again.
The brand left any denial obsolete. I wasn’t becoming part of prided royalty or nobility.
Saving Marian had me indebted to The Black Line, a shamed bloodline, for better or worse. And it was all for her. Because of her.
“Try to hang on.” I leaned into Marian, waiting as The Unavowed took his time making his way to us. “It shouldn’t be much longer now.”
The tradition was like none I’d ever witnessed. Where the couple said I do and usually left the ceremony for the reception, after the “I pronounce you man and wife” we were told to wait. Wait…for him.
“He said “for starters”. That’s what he said. We’d get the brands… for starters.”
My lips pursed as I realized Marian’s thoughts were in line with my own. She was worried. So much so, she was losing herself in the fear. I turned her to face me, cupping her cheek as I met her tear-filled gaze.
“You did nothing wrong. This punishment isn’t for you. I will face whatever is coming, and then we’ll make those guards that hurt you pay. Okay? This is about me. Not you. You’re safe.”
“Bullshit.” Marian quickly reached up, wiping a tear that started to fall.
Where I thought she’d drop her arm, her hand came to hold onto my wrist as I stroked over her cheek.
“There is no me anymore, Drayton. There is us. I am not safe because my husband is not safe. We face this together. Whatever it is.”
“No. We have no idea what he wants to do. It could be bad.”
“Worse than what I’ve already endured? There is nothing worse than that.”
“There is.” Elec stepped in from behind us, moving his head in closer to mine. “I’ll watch over her. I’ll make sure Marian is safe.”
“I said we do this together.”
Before either of us could argue, The Unavowed left two Masters and approached. Penny’s head lifted, and her lip trembled as she stayed in step with the man who’d taken her against her will.
“Congratulations. You both made it through the ceremony in agreement.” His gaze went to Marian. “I waited for rebellion. I didn’t get it. I’m not sure if I’m impressed or disappointed.”
“I know my place.”
He smiled. “You learn it quickly. I can’t say that for others.” His face was blank, but he glanced down at Penny. She straightened, but her eyes stayed on Marian, who was barely keeping it together as she kept her gaze averted from her friend.
“It’s time we get down to business. Why don’t we walk the women to Penelope’s sitting room.”
Marian’s arm wrapped around mine. “I’d like to stay with my husband. Please.”
His brow drew in. “You still don’t feel safe? I said no one would hurt you. I meant it.”
Back and forth Marian shifted on her feet. “They were fighting, but I said it. I told him to kill Joel. I—I did this. If you’ll allow me, I will take his punishment. I—
“Marian, enough. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. I killed the guard, and I did it happily. I’m ready to get this part over with.”
The Unavowed smiled, licking his lips as he lowered his face closer to Marian’s.
“Well, this changes things, doesn’t it. You want his punishment?”
“She didn’t mean that. She—”
His hand lifted, silencing me as guards stepped from the walls, moving in closer. Marian didn’t speak, but she nodded as tears rolled free.
“I will take his punishment.”
“You are brave,” he breathed out. “To sacrifice yourself for your new husband after you’ve already endured so much.
For a husband who loves you as much as he hates you?
” Something almost seemed to spark in his gaze, and Penelope grew even more nervous as she noticed.
“He’s been planning his revenge for weeks.
I know. I’ve looked into it since you’ve been here.
Do you have any idea what he planned to do to you? ”
Marian swallowed hard, her face turning so that she could look up at me.
“He won’t deny it, Marian. He can’t. He’s had a special space made just for you.
Either he’s into some really kinky shit, or he planned to hurt you.
From what I hear, maybe he even planned to torture and rape you to show you the difference.
His inventory is… rather impressive. Canes, crops, whips, cat-o-nines.
Some with razors. Barbed wire. And a cross very similar to the ones I have in the room next door.
He was innocent, was he not? You said so to Bastian Allard. We all heard you.”
He gestured around the room, but it was the veiled figures aligning the wall that we knew he was referring to.
“Drayton never raped me. My mother… influenced me.”
“With her lies? Her manipulations?”
“Yes.”
The Unavowed nodded. “A victim as well. What it must have been like for you having such a cold mother. Did you remember doing or saying the things you accused him of?”
“Not at first.” Marian’s voice softened.
“She drugged me before it happened. Her tricks only worked for so long before I remembered. By then, I was leaving. I was mortified. I… tried to apologize, but the Penningtons wouldn’t take my call.
They weren’t taking anyone’s for months.
Years. I know; I kept trying on occasion. Maybe they knew it was me.”
“You called?”
She glanced up but continued to stare ahead.
“Of course I did, Drayton. I tried to tell anyone who would listen to the truth. That never went far.”
“Interesting.” The Unavowed looked between us.
“And now here we are… family.” He smiled.
“Almost. First, the fun. Then, consummation. You see, I had this elaborate little game planned out. I can be a bit theatrical at times. Masks. The fun, bloody stuff. But then my dear Penelope reminded me how tired you all must be. It’s been a long day.
So, I thought, how can I tie these two together?
How do I get my fun while also forcing you to understand not to fuck with me! ”
The last was yelled in my face. The Unavowed straightened, letting out a deep breath.
“You see my dilemma. I don’t think you entirely understand how much you screwed yourself by killing under my roof and then making demands of the one person you should have been begging mercy to.
And now you have your wife trying to protect you.
But she’s guilty too, so…” His arms locked at his lower back as he stared me down. “Now, you’ll both beg for it.”
Marian’s scream had me spinning to come face to face with Elec, who had a gun against the side of his head. Guards were pulling Marian deeper into the room. I didn’t wait. I surged forward, immediately getting ripped back before I could take two steps.
“Marian! Marian!”
Guards were all over me as two others in blue uniforms were getting forced into the large room at gunpoint as well. The room was turning into chaos as Bram paced not feet away, just as trapped as we were.
“You see, the upside-down crown symbolizes something very dear that was stolen. Those who pledge their loyalty know the risks that come with taking the vows. It’s a very lengthy initiation for Master and guard alike.
We have rules. We have guidelines. But you’re marrying into this, Mr. Pennington.
You haven’t had the chance to see what others sometimes die trying to get.
To disrespect me and break my rules… well… it breaks you.”
Tables were pushed out of the way as Marian was pulled off to the side. The guards were forced to the wall, and I fought against the hands that held me in place.
“If you hurt her any more than she already is. If—”
Pain exploded in my cheek and mouth as The Unavowed smashed his fist into my face.