Page 74 of The Devil of Hollywood

I stood, switching the knife into my other hand as I flexed my stiff fingers. There were some deep cuts from the attacks. I’d need stitches. But only a few. It was a stupid thing to realize as I headed for the cart. My damn legs were moving in slow motion. Each step was becoming harder. My body was shutting down, but it was too early for that. I had to make him pay. I had to⁠—

I swayed, barely grasping to the cart in time to save myself from falling. Voices were beginning to buzz like bees in my ears. The weapons seemed to morph into a mass of silver and black as I stared down. My fingers reached out, and I traced over the blob of colors, more bouncing from metal than caressing the weapons like I wanted. With a hard blink, they came in clear, only to slightly fade with the sound roaring in my ears. It was the hold to my biceps from behind that had me jumping back into awareness.

“Two more. You’re a shark. You can do this.” Penelope’s voice had tears blinding me. I turned, just in time to see The Unavowed stomping up from the side of us.

“You are supposed to be in our room.”

“Marian is my friend and the mother to our future heir’s betrothed. I will be here to offer my support as a good future queen would do. Isn’t that what etiquette would call for? That’s what you said you wanted. Am I wrong?” At his silent glare, she stood straighter. “I didn’t think so. Leave us.”

Penelope’s tone was sobering as I looked between the couple. The Unavowed’s rage was shining through. His finger pointed right at her as some sort of warning, but he stepped back, turning and disappearing towards the one place I couldn’t look.

“He’s going to h-hurt you for that.”

Penelope gave a half shrug, pulling me into her arms.

“I don’t care if he hurts me. He hurt you. I will never forgive him for that.”

My arms tightened around Penny, and I couldn’t stop the sob that tore from me.

“Don’t cry. Come on, Shark. Time to spill more blood.”

“I’m not—” My head shook as I squeezed my eyes shut and held on to her tighter. “I don’t know that person anymore. You’re the shark, Penny. You always were. I told you.”

“You told me it was there. I didn’t want it to be. I was scared to face this. I’m not afraid anymore, Marian, and you shouldn’t be either. Look at me.”

I lifted, letting her wipe the tears that continued to leave me.

“These men hurt you.” Her furious stare left me to scan the large room, and her voice only increased in volume so they could all hear her. “They hurt you, but someday, they will become just as much mine as The Unavowed’s. I will not forget this day. I will not forget this moment.” She turned back to me. “Neither will you.”

She leaned in, kissing my cheek.

“End this, Marian. Finish him.” She swallowed hard. “I’m going to go now. I won’t see you before you leave. I mean what I said earlier. I love you, and when you come back, because you will, I will be waiting for you. Every second of every day. Shark,” she said, dropping her voice but emphasizing the word as she picked up a serrated knife. “Shred him to pieces with these teeth. Show them all who you are. Show yourself. Remember.”

Remember…

I took the knife watching as Penny stepped back, reluctantly spinning and standing tall as she left the room. When I came back to Simon, I forced myself forward.

Remember…

Remember…

Shark.

I was a shark.

I was a fucking shark.

“Oh, look at you. Look at all that hate wrapped in your blank expression. I barely see you a handful of times in the last three years and you grow a pair. No fake smile? No, ‘Mother, it’s good to see you?’

“It’s not good to see you. I have a meeting in ten minutes. Can I help you with something? Perhaps the direction of the door so you can see yourself out?”

“Ouch. Marian Renee. I think I just fell in love with you for the first time.”

“I doubt it, Mother. You love no one but yourself. What do you want?”

“I want you to stop shaking like a scared little mouse and keep telling me how you really feel. You really must control the adrenaline. You’re impressed with yourself for standing up to me, but your inexperience shows. Don’t worry. A few more meetings like this and I’ll have you spitting out your true feelings like the cold-hearted bitch you need to be.” My mother bit against her bottom lip as I made my way around my desk, sitting down to face her while she continued to stand. “I’ll cut to the chase since we both have better things to do. The clock is ticking. Bastian Allard isn’t going to wait around forever to marry you, and if I’m being honest, I want this deal in the bag. Do us all a favor and get moving on this wedding. There’s no point in waiting it out.”

“Oh, but there is.” I slid my fingers through each other, clasping my hands on the desk. “I’m going to wait until the last possible second just to spite you. I never wanted this.”