Page 64 of The Devil of Hollywood

“Don’t apologize. I don’t know how you’re still on your feet at all. What you—What they’ve done to you—Fucking shit.” I could feel Drayton’s hands shaking as he went back and tried to fasten the top button. “Do you think yourself capable of murder, Marian?”

I blinked through the question. I didn’t answer as his hand dropped. I turned, facing him as his lips parted at seeing me.

“… Marian… You look⁠—”

My head gave a quick shake, dismissing his conflicted awe.

“Ask me again.”

It took Drayton a moment to collect his thoughts.

“The Unavowed will offer us a gift. It’s customary. I want these two men. I want them dead, and I’m going to push for it. If you won’t kill them, I will. So, I ask you, are you capable of murder? Of revenge? I can do this myself. I’d fucking love to, but there’s no pressure. The option is yours.”

“Those men destroyed me. If revenge is on the table, I want it. This dress would look better covered in red anyway.”

Knocking had both of us looking over. Drayton gave me a nod, heading for the door and pulling it open.

“They’re ready for you.”

The voice had me nearly dropping to the ground. Sound wavered, and yet, I walked. I took steps forward when all I wanted to do was run. Scream. Cry. God, had I thought I’d been shattered to nothingness? I felt the crumbling as I stepped in line with the door. Drayton was standing there, but I couldn’t look at him. Not when Joel was eating me alive with those pale blue eyes.

“Marian?”

Full lips pulled back smugly on the side, and I could see Drayton in my peripheral looking between us. Before I could break my gaze from the fear, Joel was being swung right in my direction. I flew back, hearing glass shatter behind me as I bumped into a small table. Drayton threw his weight forward, sending both men sliding across the ground with Drayton on top. The punches to Joel’s face were solid, and the loud pops came with a speed that hit in cadence with my racing heart.

“You hurt her, didn’t you? You hurt what’s mine?”

Whack!

Whack!

The crunch had my hands jerking to my mouth, but Joel seemed to get strength from the crushing hit. He spun Drayton, but didn’t have the weight or size Drayton did as Drayton put himself back on top, hitting more. Hitting even harder. Joel’s arms shot up, trying his best to block the blows. It had Drayton pushing them over to the side so he could lock on the man’s throat.

“Don’t stop.” I rushed forward, for the first time not feeling the pain as I took in panicked pale blue eyes. “Kill him, Drayton. Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

Fear. It dripped from my words. From my very soul as I clutched to Drayton’s shoulders, almost seeming to hold him down so he’d apply more force. Joel’s eyes were rolling, and footsteps had me turning, but I wouldn’t let go of Drayton. Joel was tearing into Drayton’s hands. Blood was appearing in streaks as Drayton squeezed to his throat tighter.

“Don’t stop. Don’t⁠—”

“What the hell is going on?”

Elec rushed forward, stopping and fisting his hands as he went to grab Drayton. I could tell he wanted to, but he didn’t. He just stood there as Joel’s eyes bulged and his mouth stayed locked half open, searching for air. Trying to fight to find it. Moments drug out… and he didn’t.

“Fucking shit. Dammit, Drayton.”

“Don’t stop,” I kept repeating. “Don’t. Don’t.”

A loud growl tore from Drayton. Joel was dead. I knew that as I looked at slightly opened hollow eyes. Still, he held around Joel’s neck… and still I held on to Drayton.

“Fuck.” The word was elongated as Elec pushed his fingers into his hair. “This isn’t going to be good. What the hell happened?”

Drayton let go, standing and wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He pulled me in his arms, hugging to me tightly.

“He hurt Marian.”

“Right now?”

“He was looking at Marian. Smirking and… goading her.” Each word was more forceful than the last. “I fucking…can’t. I want them to pay. They took this from me. They⁠—”