Evan Peters Imagines and One Shots

Partners in Crime- James Patrick March

October 31, 1926

The Hotel Cortez had proven itself to be everything that it was said to be. I wasn't surprised about why a lot of guests come up missing here. If I were staying here, I wouldn't want to go back home either. Everything about this building was beautiful...too bad, I had to loot it. Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciated the invite to the birthday party, but there was a more than likely chance that I would not be invited again. Especially after my face had been plastered all around town on wanted posters saying that I was responsible for fifteen robberies and five deaths. That is a complete and utter lie... I was responsible for twenty robberies and seven deaths. If you're going to paint out as being some criminal get your facts right at least. The audacity of some people. They put up a very flattering picture of me though, so I do appreciate that.

I swayed around the party, humming to myself as I calculated the amount of money I could get off of this stuff. I had hit the jackpot. One by one, I brushed past the other party-goers, picking their pockets as I did so. Those idiots were too busy dancing and talking to even realize that they had become targets. The room reeked of wealth and success. This was the hotel of James Patrick March. One of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the world; anybody who was anybody got an invite. Which caused me to question why I was invited. It did not matter, I was going to be rich.

As I made my way out of the crowd, I could see something glisten out of the corner of my eye.  I quickly moved my head in the direction of the object and did not hesitate to get closer. There sat a large diamond ring on the floor, begging for me to become its owner. How could I refuse? I reached down and quickly scooped up the band. No one noticed. Not one soul. I slid it on my finger and moved on about my night.

I had taken so many items that I had lost count. You would have thought that a high-end place like this would have more security, but nope it was an easy hit. I was getting a little thirsty though; stealing from a full lobby of people was dehydrating work. The drink table was not too far off, just a few steps away. I danced my way over there and filled up my cup. As I sipped away, I could feel someone's else presence beside me. He was elegant. I slowly put my cup down, I was dumbfounded by his presence. He looked down at me with a smile on his face.

"Ah, Mrs. L/n," the man cheered, "I've been searching for you all night. It's pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance."

"How did he even know who I was" and "Why was I invited" was the real question. I was nothing like the others here. I wasn't wealthy. I wasn't well known, well to the police I was, but that's beside the point.

The brown-eyed man studied as he awaited a response from me.

"Likewise, Mr-"

"March, " He grinned, "James Patrick March, but you, my dear, can call me James."

He grabbed my hand and ever so softly and planted a kiss on the back of it, winking at me as he did so. So this was the man that every other woman in a 5-mile radius swooned over. I could finally say that I understood. He was quite the charmer, the tall man had eyes that pierced through mine. He was well-groomed not a hair as out of place as it was sickly back most elegantly, even his mustache was perfect.

"So you're the birthday boy that everyone has been swooning about, " I smiled, "It's an honor to meet you, James. I'd have to say the rumors are true, you truly are a handsome devil."

I noticed a dimple on his cheek as he smirked at my response.

"I wouldn't get too ahead of myself, " James laughed, "You are a married woman."

I raised my eyebrow in confusion. I wasn't married nor did I have a spouse. James perched his lips as he looked down at my hand, my eyes followed his. I was wearing that ring. Shit. I couldn't tell him how I got it.

"Oh, this thing, " I chuckled, "This was a birthday gift from my uncle in New York. I've never been married; I've even been courted."

Although the ring thing was a lie, I wasn't lying completely.

"Oh, really," James asked, "You've never been courted? I'd find that hard to believe."

I sat my cup down on the table.

"Why is that so hard to believe," I scoffed.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to offend," he defended, "A beauty like yours is unmatched, something that would drive a man to do anything and everything in his power to have you. It's hard to believe that no other man has tried to wed you."

He surely had a way with his words. My heart fluttered as he spoke.

"Many have tried, " I admitted, "but trying doesn't guarantee a spot. It takes a lot to get through to me and frankly I haven't met a man that has it."

"A woman who knows what she wants, " James spoke, "You're remarkable. Come sneak away with me, just for a moment."

I nodded my head as he wrapped his around mine and lead me to an elevator. The party was close to coming to an end, but the night was still young. The elevator ride was quite long, and neither one of us said another word. We exchanged a few glances here and there though. Butterflies flew in my stomach every time his eyes met mine. He led me down the floor as soon as the door opened. Whatever he wanted to show me couldn't wait. I had become curious.

"James, where are you taking me, " I inquired.

"It's a surprise, " he smiled as he stopped us in front of a door.

He unlocked the door and lead me into the enormous room. We were in the penthouse. James took my hand and walked me over to the balcony. The view was amazing, I could see all of Los Angeles from this height. I skimmed over the scenery in awe as I felt my arms wrap around my waist.

"It's beautiful, isn't it, " James smiled, "Contrariwise, it's not as beautiful as you are, Y/n and it could all be yours."

I looked at him as he stared out into the night. He was breathtaking. I would give up all of my illicit ways just if it meant that I could be with him, but it was too late. I was on the run, I had to leave L.A., and soon. I could not get him mixed up in my life, no matter how much I wanted to be with him.

"James, I'm flattered, " I sighed, "I honestly am, but I can't be your wife."

I watched his smile fall as he looked down at me.

"Why not, Y/n, " James pleaded, "I have everything here that you'd ever want. I have money, success, this hotel."

Before I could say anything, James had walked away from the balcony.

"Look at this, " James said as he came back over to me, "Isn't this what you want."

He practically shoved a piece of paper in my face. It was my wanted poster. I stepped away from him. He knew.

"I have it all, " James growled, "I have everything you could wish for. It's why I invited you here. You are everything I've looked for in a wife. You're gorgeous, you're determined to get what you want even if you have to go against the law to do it, you're intelligent, and you've got a taste for blood just like I do..."

"James, I can not stay here, " I began to walk off, "The police could find me at any moment."

I was jerked back as James grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him.

"You won't have to run, my dear, " James continued, "You could stay here and they would never find you. I built this hotel for more than just the purpose of money, I built it to satisfy hunger. No one would ever find you except me. We would be untouchable, especially after the way you lied about that ring. I planted it there for you to grab it, I knew it wasn't yours, but the way you lied could have had me fooled. It was all for you."

James got on one knee and held my hand.

"You've already accepted the ring," James admitted, "Now it's just my proposal. Y/n L/n, would you do me the honor of being not just my wife, but my partner in crime also."

Without hesitation, I kissed him.

"Yes," I nodded, "I will be your partner in crime."

"You've just made me the happiest man in the world," James grinned.