Page 58 of The Devil of Hollywood

I moved my gaze back to Bram. “Who else is available?”

“Marian—"

I ignored Drayton. “Ethan O’Brien?”

“Married,” Elec supplied.

“Sebastian is dead…. Hale?”

Elec’s mouth opened. “Available but… not a good fit.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re marrying me.”

I rolled my eyes at Drayton.

“What about Anthony?”

“Addaway?” Drayton’s eyes bulged. “The church guy? The pastor or minister or whatever? He’s not even the heir. Are you serious?”

“Hmm.” Elec looked at Bram and they both shook their heads. “Not a good match.”

“Jesus! There has to be someone. What about Jake Princeton? He lost his wife, right?”

“Dead.” Elec’s face changed, and Bram’s lipped pulled back through what I could only assume was anger. “He remarried Bram’s half-sister before his death. Kayla’s pregnant with twins.”

“Oh.” My brow drew in. “Half-sister?” I didn’t push at the dismissive wave of Bram’s hand. “I’m sorry to hear that. I will reach out to her once I get back. Jake was wonderful from what I remember. Very nice. A good family man.” My lids closed as I fought the rolling nausea that I couldn’t push away entirely. Was I even debating this marriage bullshit? “I didn’t know Braddock Pierce well but⁠—”

“No.” Elec shook his head. “Absolutely not. He’s not safe. He’s… adjusting to mental trauma brought on by your mother.”

My head lowered, but I forced it back up. “Of course. They had money. They were once powerful.”

“Face it, you’re marrying me.”

“There are others I could choose from.”

“Not for you. You started as mine; you’ll end as mine. That is not up for debate.”

“Elec, please?”

His head shook, and I watched as he somehow calmed the caged animal he held inside. “You’re a good match for me. The best match, honestly. It would elevate my status, but… I won’t marry you. It’s taking everything in me to even be cordial with you. It’s not happening. I can’t. You wouldn’t survive.”

“And you think I will with him?” I glared over to Drayton but continued to plead to Elec. “You think you’ll kill me, but you won’t. What we could have would be all business. No feelings. Just roles. I’ll be the perfect wife in the eyes of the circle. I’ll be the best mother to any children we have. I’ll stay home and raise them until they’re in school, and once they are, I’ll go back to work. They’ll see happy parents because that’s what we’ll be. Strangers, for the most part, but friends. It’s that easy. It would be perfect. Can you be my friend?”

Drayton shifted. His breaths were heavy as he looked angrily between us.

“Your mother manipulated me into killing Vivia as part of my initiation. She raped me without my knowledge for years, Marian. Don’t you see?” He let out a loud growl, curling his fist as he almost looked to come towards me. “I won’t marry you. I can’t even barely fucking look at you.”

Time seemed to pause through the shock of his words. “Elec… I am so sorry. I—I’m sorry. I know how much you loved Vivia.”

“You’re going to marry Drayton. If you contest, they may favor keeping you here at The Order.”

Tears left me, and my head shook at Bram. “I won’t. I can’t marry him. Not with our past. Not with how much resentment he has for me. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. I don’t think I can—I can’t—” I climbed back to the bed, not able to stand anymore. What I couldn’t do was think. “If I have to return to the circle and marry because of my mother, find me another match. Anyone but him.”

Drayton

Anyone but me. Anyone… but… me?