Page 85 of The Devil of Hollywood

“I can make sure they die, but I will not teach you. You’re lucky you’re even still breathing after what you just did.”

“What I did? Elec, you’re either deluding yourself or the truth refuses to sink in. No matter how much you may want, you can’t kill me.” She finished off the drink. “You can’t touch me. You can’t do anything to me if I don’t comply. I am so far above you, above all of you, it is only my words that matter. And you refuse them—my offer, partnership, my need for help.”

Elec was breathing heavier as more anger took over his features.

“Marian, you’re upset⁠—"

“Poor choice of words.”

“Okay, you’re hurt, pissed, you’re processing. Are you refusing to comply with the remaining tests you’re scheduled for here at The Gardens?”

“I don’t play games, and I am nobody’s puppet. Not anymore. I know what your tests are for, and I decline, just like you declined helping me. We’re done talking. I do believe I’ll be contacting The Collective High Council.” Marian turned to me. “They can find a new Devil of Hollywood. I wish to move to London.”

I didn’t miss Elec’s rage. It had me taking in the words. Assessing them. My brain felt heavy, but my wife needed me. I knew that, somehow, even if I was slightly confused by what was happening. “If that’s what you wish.” I stepped in closer to her, again showing my support, but it was Elec’s growl that had me watching him closer as I continued to address her. “I’ll do what I can to get out of my duties here, Marian. It might take some time.”

“It won’t. What’s happening is something bigger than anyone is willing to speak about. There’s been a shift from those high above, and I’m the key to it concerning our circle. Putting us in London only gives the ones who support The Unavowed more opportunity. They wouldn’t like us leaving because there’s benefit to us staying, but they wouldn’t be opposed. Would they, Elec?”

“You’re not moving to London.”

She turned to face him, throwing him a look.

“Why? Because their circle becomes more powerful with us in it? Because it puts us in deeper with The Unavowed? What’s happening is all your fault. You don’t want to be part of this rising. And that’s what it is, Elec. We’re going to be unstoppable, and you’re going to miss out all because you can’t get over this thing with my mother. We used to be friends. Vivia became one of my best friends when we all started hanging out. We all got close. I didn’t have anything to do with what my mother did. I was a victim in all this. And yet I’m the one who had to pay. From The Unavowed. From you. From the circle. Speaking of which, didn’t I hear the Whitlocks were having a child? Perhaps I’ll give them my deal and make them just as unstoppable. Their heir⁠—”

“Enough.”

Elec’s lips peeled back from his teeth as he stepped in closer to Marian. It was automatic to put myself between them which only had Elec scanning my face but stopping on my eyes.

“Move.”

“Fuck no.”

“Drayton Pennington…move.”

I needed to, but I couldn’t. Not with the threat that was so heavily embedded in his gaze. It was Marian’s fingers settling on my far cheek that had me breaking stares with Elec to look at her. Green sucked me in. I felt myself pull her into me, protecting her—needing her as her eyes turned rounder.

“There’s the love I was looking for…” Marian’s face softened, and her hand caressed down my cheek to settle over my heart. It had my every ounce of focus split between her and what felt like a sudden enemy at my back. I was hyper-aware of the invisible pressure of Elec as he waited behind me. “Thank you. I’ll be okay. Why don’t you make the calls and get the jet ready. It’s time to go home and plan.”

“You’re not leaving.”

Elec’s voice only turned deeper as I angled to the side to keep him in my peripheral.

“It’s okay. He’s not going to do anything.” Marian’s fingers dug in, and my pulse exploded as her digit lifted and hit back down. Tap-tap. Tap. “Let me finish talking to Elec. Get the jet ready.”

My glare was automatic as I looked over to a man I had thought was my friend. “We’re leaving. Watch the way you talk to my wife. She may allow it. I will not.”

“Unbelievable.”

His lips parted, and it was hard to break my hold on her as I walked to the counter for my Gardens’ phone. Still, I watched their every move. Listened to their every word.

“Have you reconsidered?”

“He never stood a chance.” Elec looked between me and her. “And I missed it. You got him from the beginning. Just like that. Just like your mother.”

“Drayton loves me.”

Elec didn’t speak, and I couldn’t make sense of what they were saying. A part of me didn’t care. Marian wasn’t okay. Not here. Not with Elec. Not with what happened to her. I hit the operator announcing my orders for my jet and waited as she put me on hold.

“The Unavowed will never become⁠—”