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And if he dinnae, it could mean disaster to Tait.
“Bugger that,” Marcus muttered, realizing it was already too late. He threw the van into park, grabbed Tait’s arm and pulled her into the driver’s seat as he exited out the driver’s door. “As soon as that guy’s inside his car, push it out o’ the way and get out o’ here.”
“What are you doing?” Her voice shook. “Where are you going?”
“Do what I say, Tait! Dinnae wait for me.”
He dinnae hear her response as he raced past the back of the van into the jumble of cars and people, some scrambling to get to their cars, others to just get out of the way as the Camaro pushed its way forward.
“Elliot!” Marcus yelled, stopping in the middle of the road to scan the shifting crowd. “Step out and face me if ye’ve the courage!”
Everyone stopped. Even the Camaro, but its engine still purred in the background, like a cat waiting to pounce.
Ten feet from Marcus a dark-haired man emerged, stopped, and slipped his hands in his pockets. A slow, condescending grin spread across his face. “No need foryouto get hurt. Just tell us where the girl is, and you can get back to your vacation.” He glanced at the van. “After we take a look inside, that is.”
A few onlookers backed away. Others pulled out their phones and cameras, anxious to record the altercation.
“ ’Tis just women ye pick on then?” Marcus taunted, trying to rile him and buy Tait some time to get away. “If ye havnae the ballocks tae face a man, ye’ve only tae say so.” He waved his hand to indicate the people watching and recording. “We’ll all understand.”
The color drained from Elliot’s face seconds before it turned to a mask of fury.
Marcus noted Elliot’s right hand, bunching in his pocket as he took a step forward. Marcus took two, edging closer. “Take care ye dinnae soil yerself. ’Twouldnae look good in the pictures.”
His stomach clenched. What was taking Tait so long? The old man should have moved by now.
The Camaro’s engine revved behind them. Elliot gave it a quick glance, snarled, and pulled his hand from his pocket.
The crowd’s collective gasp filled the air as Elliot raised a pistol and pointed it at Marcus’ face. “Big talker. What have you got to say now?” He waved the pistol toward the van. “Let’s go see what’s inside.”
Go, Tait! Run!Marcus willed her into action. But he could still hear the van’s engine, behind him. Whatever was happening, he couldnae let Elliot get closer to it. Or Tait.
He could hear the shock in the muffled exclamations of the crowd as he slowly walked toward Elliot, not stopping until he felt the gun’s barrel against his forehead.
“I’m goin’ tae rip yer throat out,” he whispered so only Elliot could hear. “Right here in front of all these people.”
“You’re dead,” Elliot said between clenched teeth.
But Marcus could feel the tremble of his gun and see the hesitancy in his eyes.
In one swift movement, he knocked Elliot’s gun arm into the air with his left hand and while the retort of the fired bullet still echoed in the air, smashed his right fist into Elliot’s face, laying him flat.
While the crowd cheered, Marcus saw the blonde man exit the Camaro and reach inside his jacket, hesitating as the crowd surged forward, blocking a clear shot.
Whirling, Marcus raced for the van, nearly going to his knees when he saw Tait hurrying toward him, her eyes fixed on the blonde man.
“What are ye doin’?!” he yelled, grasping her arm to rush her back to the open door.
Pushing her inside, he scrambled in behind her, slammed the door and yanked the van into gear, stunned to see the open road in front of them. She could’ve left and dinnae.
Confusion, anger, disbelief pumped through his veins. “What were ye thinkin’? Why dinnae ye leave? You were supposed to leave as soon as the road was clear!”
He punched the gas and spun away from the debacle behind them. It wouldnae take long for Elliot’s partner to gather him off the ground and follow. Nor for the Park Rangers to hunt him down for his part in ‘endangering’ the public.
“What wasIthinking?” she countered. “What wereyouthinking walking toward that gun, taunting that man to shoot you?” Her voice quivered. “How could you do something so reckless?”
He gaped at her. “Reckless? Dinnae I just see ye hurrying toward the other one—who obviously had a gun? After everything we’ve done tae try tae keep ye safe, what possessed ye tae do that?”
She stared at him, the frustration on her face turning to resignation. Dropping back with a defeated sigh, she shook her head, blinking back tears. “I couldn’t just leave you with those men, Marcus. Not with you standing there a breath away from Elliot pulling the trigger.” Her chin quivered as she fought for control. “At that point, I knew I had to stop running and give them whatever it is they want. I just…I just couldn’t drive away and let them take another life. Or let you surrender yours. I couldn’t live with either outcome. I care about—” She released a long shuddering breath, swiping away tears with the back of her hand. “It doesn’t matter now. I don’t expect you to understand.”
