Page 40 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)
Maddie
Watching from the window, Scott’s truck disappears down the road.
I try not to worry about being alone. I have Denver, and he’s pacing dutifully nearby.
I left a voicemail message for Hannah, asking her to leave Ding at the inn and come by and get me as soon as she can.
My emotions are all over the place. It’s like nothing bad ever happened between Scott and me.
He loves me and I love him. The only difference is me.
I’m never going to take what we have for granted again.
A pleasant shiver runs up my spine. Last night was amazing.
He hasn’t lost his touch, that’s for sure.
I’m excited to see him again. But as the minutes stretch by, a strange feeling of dread presses against my chest.
Still in my robe and needing a shower, I head toward the bathroom. My heart sinks when I hear the doorbell ring.
Who could it be? I rush to the door but hesitate with my hand on the knob. It’s too soon to be Hannah. My heart’s beating so hard, it’s about to give out. I force myself to look at the screen on Scott’s front door monitor.
Mark Glassier.
Relieved, I start to open the door, but pause. Wasn’t Scott meeting the Coast Guard? Did something happen to him on the way? Oh God. My palms are sweating. I press on the intercom.
“Mark?”
“Something’s happened. It’s Scott. Can you let me in?”
I gasp and clutch my chest tightly. In tears, I turn off the alarm and open the door for Mark. His crisp uniform makes him approachable.
“You’re scaring me. What’s happened to Scott?”
“I’m sorry.” He coughs and holds up his hands, urging me to calm down.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just on my way to check in with Scott, but it looks like I missed him.
” His eyes are tracing the room methodically, looking for something.
He’s speaking, but he’s not focused on what he’s saying to me. What is going on?
“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 his bleeding 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.
“Shut up and stop moving or I’ll kill you sooner than I intended.” He drills his cold eyes into mine as he forces me inside. The door slams shut, trapping me in the confined space.
My heart stops at his words.
He’s going to kill me, just like he killed Nathan.