“He just left for the Coast Guard station.”
Mark turns his eyes back to me and glares, his pupils blown.
“I thought he was meeting you guys at the blue hole,” I squeak. He doesn’t even look like the same person anymore.
Mark’s forced smile stays locked in place, his gaze lingering on me for far too long. Looking straight through me. I tighten my robe.
“Are you staying here with Scott?”
“For now,” I answer slowly. “I’m visiting. He let me know he’ll be back in just a minute.”
The corners of his mouth turn down and a dark vein along his neck throbs. “You and Scott seem pretty close.” He turns away, walking around the room.
I box my shoulders and shrug, keeping my response neutral. “He’s helping me investigate my brother’s disappearance. Scott’s… a good friend.”
Mark freezes and turns back to me then. His smile is completely gone, though he laughs wryly.
“Friendship like that doesn’t come cheap, I bet.”
His nostrils twitch and his eyebrows draw together.
“Tell me—Is he paying you to fuck him?I smell him all over you.”
He grabs Scott’s boat keys off the wall rack.
“Here they are.” A dark smile flashes across his face as he pockets the keys.
Terror jolts through my entire body. Mark is going to hurt me. I rush across the room, trying to get as far away from him as I can.
He moves toward me.
I’m still trying to process what’s happening. His fake kindness is gone, like a mask that has slipped off, revealing the monster hiding beneath. “You’ve been sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong… and now you’re going to come with me. Nice and quiet.”
My pulse spikes, panic clawing at my chest. “I’m not going anywhere. Stay away from me.” I’m backed against the wall and there’s nowhere else to go. Mark grabs my arm, pulling me toward him with a rough jerk. I can smell him. While the rest of his appearance is immaculate, his sweat is feral and rancid.
Out of nowhere, Denver howls and jumps toward Mark, biting his arm with a vicious tear, the sound wet and jagged.
Mark shouts in pain, his expression hardening into a deadly scowl. In a swift motion, he pulls the gun from his belt and shoots Denver.
“No!” I scream. Denver cries in pain and slumps to the floor.
Mark pivots the gun to my heart. “Don’t make me use this on you. It’ll get messy.” His words are cold and final. He grabs a kitchen towel and wraps it around his arm. “Damn dog. We’re leaving now.”
My breath comes in shallow gasps as my mind races for a way out. I’m hovering over poor Denver. I try to stop hisbleeding with a throw from the couch, praying it will be enough until Scott gets back. I do my best to ensure the right pressure, but not too much. “Please live, boy. You’re strong. Scott needs you.” I stroke his back. He mewls.
Mark gathers my personal things, including my phone, which he smashes. “Why?” I lift my eyes from Denver to Mark. “Why are you doing this? You’re Nathan’s friend.”
Mark remains silent but stares at me with pure hatred. Why?
“Mark, please, don’t do this,” I beg, my desperation rising.
His glossy eyes clear, and he moves toward me. “Move.” He grabs my arm with a grip like a vise. I wince. The fear bubbling within me erupts into terror as he drags me toward the door.
I struggle against him, my instincts screaming at me to fight back, but he’s way too strong. His grip tightens, and his movements are swift and unyielding as he pushes me outside. He throws my purse and smashed phone on the porch. The dark SUV parked off the driveway looms. Its tinted windows glint in the sunlight, the sight sending a fresh wave of terror through me. I open my mouth to scream.
“No one’s going to hear you out here,” Mark says darkly, his voice dripping with menace. The scream rips from my throat and echoes down the empty road. It infuriates him. With a harsh shove, he pushes me toward the open back door of the SUV. My hip hits hard. I yelp in pain.
“Let me go!” I cry, my voice breaking as I twist and try in vain to pull away from him. I scratch at his eyes.
