Page 86 of The Devil of Hollywood

“Don’t, Elec. We both know that’s a lie. He will. Drayton and I won’t stop until he is. And we’re not alone. You know that. Do you not see the advantage this could give us? Let go of the bullshit with my mother and look at me. Listen to me. Who are we?”

Elec stayed quiet, his brow creasing.

“We’re nothing. We have no creed. We have no identity outside of ourselves. We fight or marry amongst our lines for position or power. It’s pathetic. You want more. My mother wanted more. This is not enough for you, and we both know it. I’m giving you something no one else can. I’m giving you the opportunity to help create our own worth. Our own creed. Help make something of what we are. Your heart is in the right place. Do it. Work with me. All I want is⁠—”

“I know what you want.” Elec stepped closer, and so did I. He didn’t miss it as he took me in. “Will you use your gifts you picked up from your mother on The Unavowed? Is he the real reason you want me to teach you more? Stop while you’re ahead. Otherwise, you’ll get yourself killed just like she did.”

“You’re reaching, and we both know it. This is about us. This is me letting you lead us. Me, offering you power like you can’t imagine. I am not my mother. I’m smarter. So are you. You’re going to take my deal. You’re going to tell me to have Drayton stand down, and you’re going to keep me at The Gardens, close to you. You’re going to teach me so I never have to be afraid of anyone hurting me again. I won’t abuse this gift like her. You know I won’t. I know what will happen to me if I do. I have a future to make thrive. We both do. Mentor me. Say you’ll do it. I am no threat to you; I’m an asset. Say it, Elec.”

For moments something passed between them. Elec licked his lips, a smile finally tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“Power?”

“More than you could dream of.”

“You’re not your mother.” He glanced at the floor and when he looked back at her, his smile was wider. “Perhaps there’s a few things I can teach you. Small things to accomplish what you need. There will be rules.”

“I like rules.”

“And you have to listen to everything I say. Everything.”

“You have my word.”

More silence.

“If I teach you, I own you just as much as The Unavowed. Your loyalty will be split between us, but I come first. You side with me. You stay at our circle.”

“I don’t want to be anywhere else. Don’t give me reason to.”

My hand lowered, and I hung up the phone.

“Welcome home, Marian. I’ll give you the real tour of The Gardens. Fuck, you’re both going to love it here.”

Epilogue

Marian

“Forgive me.”

Drayton didn’t turn from my stare as he brought back the flogger. Fire and heat flared over the front and side of my thigh. I sucked in a gasp, and he reared back, swinging even harder. A sob left me, but it was the moan that forced its way in that had my husband pushing my bounds as he switched legs, adding to the bruising and welts already on the other side.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful. I bet you’re so wet for me. Cry harder. Beg me. Make me believe.”

“I love you. Please. It wasn’t me. Not really. I⁠—”

Blood dotted over the flaming skin, and I gulped in air, barely able to catch my breath from the new connection. Drayton was pressing against me before I could process the mass of sensations. Fingers rubbed the wetness over my pussy as his tongue thrust into my mouth.

“You’re going to be marked up so beautifully, and I’m going to kiss over every single one.”

“Yes.”

Fingers dug into the tenderness, and a cry burst from me. On the St. Andrew’s cross, I was healing from the guilt. Where I needed pain because of it, Drayton was free to release his. This was where we belonged. This is where I could plan. Where I could watch. Most importantly, this is where I could put my teachings to the test.

“Fuck, Marian. Tell me, again. Tell me more.”

“I didn’t mean to⁠—”

“Not that.”