The Rapper's Favorite || An Eminem Fanfiction

Chapter 9: Breaking Point

Marshall's POV

LA's always been fake smiles and fast talk, but tonight, something feels heavier. We're here to finish up some tracks with Dre, but Dre insisted we show face at this industry party. Normally, I'd just deal, play the game, shake hands. But Aria? She's been off, and I can't figure out why.

She's next to me in the back of the car, fingers tapping on her thigh, but something's different. It's not her usual sharpness. Normally, she'd have a smart-ass comment about whatever scene we're walking into. Instead, she's staring out the window, jaw tight. She's dressed more polished than usual—sleek black dress, heels, the whole thing. It's throwing me off. It's like she's trying to hide, but from what?

I glance over at her, trying to shake the weird vibe. "What's up? Plannin' on takin' over LA or just burnin' it to the ground?"

She snorts, but it's flat. "Neither. Not worth the effort."

Her smile doesn't reach her eyes, and it's got me on edge. Normally, she'd rip into me with something clever, something that'd take the edge off this whole scene. But she's locked in, scanning the streets, almost like she's bracing for something. My gut tells me it's not just the usual party jitters.

We pull up to the venue, and the flash of cameras is like a wall of lights. Paparazzi are everywhere, buzzing like flies. Dre's already ahead, moving through the chaos like he's done this a thousand times. I step out first, turn back to offer Aria my hand, but her grip's tighter than it needs to be. Warm, but tense.

"You sure you're good?" I ask, lowering my voice as we step into the blinding flashes.

She hesitates, then glances around, eyes darting like she's searching for someone. "Yeah... just not feelin' this."

I raise an eyebrow but don't push. Not yet. Something's coming, I can feel it. She knows it too.

Inside, the party's the usual bullshit—too loud, too many people crammed into too little space, all of them here to be seen. Dre's already talking deals with the execs, shaking hands with people who pretend to care. I hang back with Aria. Normally, she'd be throwing out sarcastic comments about the crowd, mocking how fake it all is. But tonight, she's somewhere else. Her eyes are scanning the room, but I can't tell if she's looking for an escape or bracing for something to hit.

And then I see him.

Tall, slick suit, cutting through the room like he owns it. Evan Stone. I know the guy. He's one of the biggest producers in the business. Got his hands in every corner of the industry. Always struck me as the type who'd stab you in the back the second it suited him. I've never liked him. But as soon as Aria spots him, she freezes.

Her fingers stop tapping. Her breath hitches. I've never seen her react like this to anyone, and that's when it clicks—this isn't just another industry asshole to her. He's something much worse.

I lean in, keeping my voice low. "You know him?"

Her voice is tight, barely a whisper. "Yeah. Unfortunately."

Before I can ask more, Stone's already making his way over, moving through the crowd like it's parting for him. His eyes are locked on Aria, and he's smiling like he's already got her cornered.

"Aria," he says, his voice as slick as his suit. "Didn't expect to see you here, slumming it with the real artists again."

Her face stays blank, but I can feel the tension rolling off her. She's stiff, like she's bracing for a hit. I've never seen her like this. Her sharp edges are gone, replaced by something close to fear.

I step forward, putting myself between them. "Stone," I say flatly. "You look lost. Need help finding the door?"

He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes as they flick to me, sizing me up. "Marshall Mathers. I thought I'd run into you sooner or later. Surprised to see you keeping... interesting company."

I cross my arms, not backing down. "Yeah, well, I've been tryin' to avoid you. Guess tonight ain't my lucky night."

He ignores me, his eyes drifting back to Aria like I don't even exist. "Still running, huh? I thought you would've learned your lesson by now."

I glance at Aria—her hand is gripping my arm, tighter than before. She's shaking. I've never seen her like this. This guy isn't just a bad memory—he's something dangerous. Stone steps closer, his voice dropping to something cold, almost intimate.

"You should've stayed in the shadows where you belong."

That's it. I take a step toward him, getting right in his face. "You got somethin' to say? Say it to me."

Stone's smile widens, but it's hollow. "I don't need to say much. She knows how this ends. She's always known."

I glance down at Aria—her eyes are wide, and her grip on my arm is desperate, like she's holding on for dear life. She's scared, really scared. And I can feel my blood starting to boil. This guy's got his claws in her, and he's enjoying it.

I lean in, my voice dropping low. "You need to back the fuck off. Now."

Stone doesn't flinch. He doesn't move. His eyes flicker, but that smirk stays plastered on his face. "Careful, Marshall. You're standing on the edge of something you don't want to fall into."

I can feel the tension in my fists, my body ready to knock that smirk off his face. But Aria tugs harder on my arm, her voice tight, barely holding it together. "Marshall, please. Don't."

I glance down at her, at the way she's practically begging me to let it go. Her whole body is trembling. Everything in me is screaming to teach this guy a lesson, but this isn't the time. Not yet. I take a breath, forcing myself to step back.

I lock eyes with Stone, my voice steady. "This ain't over. Count on it."

Stone's smirk never wavers. "Looking forward to it."

We barely make it outside before Aria pulls away from me, pacing like she's trying to outrun whatever just happened. Her breath's coming in short, sharp bursts, and she wraps her arms around herself like she's trying to keep from falling apart. I step in front of her, grab her gently by the arm, and turn her to face me.

"Aria, what the hell was that? Who is he?"

She shakes her head, blinking hard, her whole body trembling. "I'm sorry... I should've told you."

"Told me what?" I snap, trying to keep my voice steady. "What does he have over you?"

Her eyes finally meet mine, and I can see it—fear, frustration, and something raw that she's been hiding. "He's the reason I lost everything."

The words hit me hard, but I keep my voice steady. "What do you mean?"

Her laugh is bitter, broken. She wipes at her eyes like she's trying to erase the memory. "Evan Stone. He blacklisted me, Marshall. After I left him. He made sure I couldn't work, spread lies, made every door slam shut in my face. Everything I've done since... it's been in the shadows. Ghostwriting. Working under a name no one knows. All because of him."

Anger rises fast, sharp. "And you didn't tell me?"

Her voice cracks as she wipes at her eyes again. "What was I supposed to say? 'Hey, Marshall, my ex is one of the most powerful assholes in the industry, and if he finds out I'm working with you, he'll ruin you too'? How do you drop that in casual conversation?"

I step closer, grabbing her shoulders, firm but not rough, making her look at me. "You should've told me the second you walked into the studio."

Her eyes are wide, her lips trembling, but there's still fire there. "I didn't want to drag you into my mess."

I shake my head, my grip tightening slightly. "I'm already in it, Aria. You should've let me handle it."

Her body sags, like the weight of everything is hitting her all at once. "I didn't think you'd want to deal with it... with me. I'm a liability."

I step closer, my voice soft but steady. "You think I'm scared of some asshole like Stone? I've dealt with worse. He doesn't get to call the shots anymore."

Her lips tremble, but there's a spark in her eyes now—something that wasn't there before. "Marshall... I don't want to drag you down with me."

I loosen my grip slightly, my voice firm. "You're not draggin' me anywhere. I've got your back. Always."

She stares at me for a long moment, her breath finally steadying. Slowly, she nods. "Okay."