Her ears pricked up. Did he have a soft spot after all? Could she exploit it?
“I understand your grief over losing your older brother. That shouldn’t have happened. But it did.” Buckner frowned, but his effort at sympathy came across as grotesque.
Marlene didn’t trust herself to speak. Whatever she said might set him off, have the reverse effect of what she intended. So she listened, trying to make sense of it, looking for a way to manipulate things to her advantage.
In a sort of disjointed discourse, Buckner spoke of Andrew as if he’d known him. He called him a man of valor, one of the silent heroes. He cited events that seemed disconnected, except in his warped mind. And he mentioned his own bravery through the telling of weird anecdotes. Marlene watched in amazement, studying the strange look in his eyes, observing his awkward body movements.
“You’re all alone now,” Buckner said, “with no one to protect you.”
Marlene stiffened, her thoughts muddled. What does he mean by that?
“But I sought you out.” Buckner’s eyes were glassy. “I’m responsible for you now. You’ve been so foolish to trust Flynn.” Then he seemed to remember something else. His cold eyes went vacant.
“I was there for you, Marlene. I went to your charity events. I supported you. But you don’t recall do you? You couldn’t be bothered.” Buckner’s chest heaved, as if he couldn’t get enough air. “I spoke to you…but you brushed me off. I wasn’t worthy of your notice. But you will learn…you will find out just how important I am.”
Marlene struggled to recall ever seeing him before. The fundraisers were crowded. If he’d worn the tinted glasses, she wouldn’t have noticed him. It was his stark blue eyes. Once seeing his brittle gaze, no other feature was as memorable. The hatred behind those eyes blocked out any possibility of seeing beyond them.
Buckner leaned toward her, his rancid breath choking her. “I’m an ex-marine, you know. You should treat me better, show some respect.”
When Buckner grabbed her arm, Marlene’s heart pounded so hard that she thought it would leap out of her chest. The guy was nuts. And she was in grave danger.
The cold peril of facing a killer was more than Marlene could tolerate. She willed her body to move, to run, to do something…anything. But her limbs were heavy, her feet like anchors, weighting her to the floor. Any hope of escape evaporated—if it had been there in the first place.
Looking into the unfeeling eyes of a psychotic, all seemed surreal. Then fear arrowed into her heart. But it wasn’t fear for her own safety.
Garrett was honor bound to protect, especially women, and most of all—her. He would put his life on the line without hesitation. Dark foreboding blossomed in the pit of her stomach.
Because of her, Garrett would follow the trail of blood and play into Buckner’s hand. His life was at risk. Marlene might lose him, watch him die at the hand of a lunatic. She had to save him…but how?
Chapter 24
Garrett arrived with the press conference in full swing. He surveyed the main room, but there was no sign of Marlene. He had to find her, to see for himself that she was fine. He’d overreacted. The event had plenty of security. It wasn’t a place Buckner was likely to try anything.
Or so he attempted to convince himself.
The place was thick with journalists, and noisy. Cameras flashed as photographs were taken. Garrett spotted a few of the cast. There was her costar Michael surrounded by a group of reporters. Nicholas was having a conversation that looked intense.
But Marlene was not in sight.
Then Garrett saw Anna looking rather bored, as she chatted with a well-dressed woman who had to be an interviewer. He strode over and interrupted. “I need to speak with you for a minute.” Garrett glanced at the reporter. “Privately.”
“I appreciate the interview, Anna.” The woman waved across the room and headed toward someone she seemed to know.
Garrett said, “Where’s Marlene?”
“She’s here. I was with her not long ago, but then I got swept up in all the activity,” Anna said. “She was wondering about you. You’re late. She was worried.”
“Yeah, that’s a long story,” Garrett said, “for another time. I really need to speak with Marlene. Any ideas?”
Anna shook her head. “Not really. I went down the hall with the studio tour, so the press could get some photos of the sets. But Marlene wasn’t with us. She’s very popular today. I’m sure she was accosted by some reporter.” Just then an enthusiastic young woman interrupted them.
Garrett spotted the security guard he’d spoken to on the phone, and briskly walked over to him. “Steve…hey. Do you know where Marlene is?”
“She can’t be far,” the guard said. “She was making the rounds. This crowd can’t get enough of her.”
Garrett frowned. It seemed that Marlene had been there, but it was driving him crazy that she seemed to have vanished. “Did you give her my message? Ask her to call me?”
“Sorry, I didn’t get the chance,” Steve said. “I did see her after you called, but a reporter was deep in conversation with her. There was a private interview scheduled, so that’s probably where they went.”
For a moment, Garrett breathed a sigh of relief. That was it; Marlene was in an interview. “Where was the private interview supposed to happen?”
“That’s the thing,” Steve said. “At the security briefing this morning, we were told it would take place in the director’s office.”
Garrett stared at him.
“But she went the other direction with the journalist. I guess she was going to show him around, give him a tour or something.”
“Which way did they go?”
Steve pointed toward a hallway, and Garrett took off at a sprint. The hallway was empty, outside the scope of the event. No one else was going that way. Enough messing around. Something was definitely wrong.
Garrett retrieved his phone from his pocket and activated the tracking app. It was a good thing that he‘d insisted that Marlene wear devices so he’d be able to find her. Glancing at the screen, he frowned. She was too far away for comfort.
There wasn’t a second to spare. He jogged down the hall, his rubber-soled shoes hardly making a sound. He didn’t want to alert anyone ahead of him; surprise was on his side. The studio was as large as a hotel, and the hallways seemed to go on and on.
He followed the light on his phone, leading him to Marlene, thankful that he hadn’t left locating her to chance. Moving as fast as he could, he headed toward her. Garrett had a sick feeling in his gut.
Marlene meant so much to him. It seemed like an odd time to be struck by how much he loved her—but then, maybe not. Panic gripped his stomach at the very real possibility of losing her. He’d sworn to protect her, and was determined to do so.
Then the device flashed, indicating he was close. Garrett slowed at a corner, listening for any sound. It was quiet. He pulled his Glock from the holster and, holding it in both hands, entered the adjacent hall. No one was there. Then his eyes went to the floor…Marlene’s shoe.
Garrett picked it up. “Shit.” If he’d had any hope that he’d find Marlene strolling through the halls giving an interview, it was dashed. It had to be Buckner. He had her and had found the tracking device. This was bad.
The tracker light indicated they were farther ahead. Garrett would need to approach cautiously, not knowing what he would find. Hold on, sweetheart. I’m coming for you.
The trail led him to Marlene’s other shoe. Buckner was playing games with him. Well, playtime was over. I’m on my way, asshole.
Garrett moved through the hallways with purpose. He listened for any sound, and looked for any sign of Marlene. Glancing down, he slowed his pace, then stooped to the floor. Blood. This was worse than he’d anticipated.
Buckner was with Marlene, and she’d been hurt. He might be too late; there was no time to waste. Moving ahead quickly, Garrett kept his eyes and ears open. The silence was unnerving.
/> Then there was more blood…and more. Buckner was luring him in with Marlene’s blood. He’d harmed her, and that was unpardonable; he’d pay for his crime. Garrett’s heart raced. He had to find her without further delay.
Garrett jogged down the hall, following the trail of blood. It stopped in front of a closed door. He stood to the side and listened, but didn’t hear anything. Marlene had to be in there.
With his gun ready, Garrett turned the knob then pushed the door open. The interior was semi-dark, so he took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. The low sound of a male voice could be heard, causing adrenaline to surge in his veins.
Garrett went into fight mode: calm, focused, unafraid. The enemy was within reach. He could hear the conversation, but he couldn’t see them.
There was a fabric panel blocking his view. Garrett approached, holding his gun in front of him. He peeked around to see what was happening. Rage filled him at the sight of Buckner with Marlene. The creep had his arm around her waist, holding her back to his chest, and he looked directly at Garrett.
Instantly, Garrett assessed the situation. The room was an old sound studio with a bunch of abandoned equipment. At the far side was an electrical box with a bunch of cables intertwined in a pile on the floor. There wasn’t much else of significance in the room.
Buckner was in range, but Garrett couldn’t shoot. With one wrong move, Marlene could get hit. And there was another problem: her captor held a knife to her throat. If he could get his hands on the attacker, he’d wring the life out of him with his bare hands. Yet Buckner had the advantage.
Aiming the gun at Buckner’s head, Garrett stepped into the room. He looked into the man’s icy-blue eyes. “Let her go.”
Buckner’s haughty laugh was the only sound in the room.
“You can’t get out of here without being seen,” Garrett said. “You won’t get away with this.”
“What makes you think so?” Buckner smirked. “I’ve planned this down to the last detail. I’ll get out, and I’m taking Marlene with me.”
Garrett considered blowing the man’s brains out, but that knife was too close for comfort. One slice could cut Marlene’s jugular, making it next to impossible to save her.
“I knew you’d come for her.” Buckner shoved the flat side of the knife under Marlene’s chin. Her eyes were wide with fear. “Drop the gun, Flynn.”
Garrett hesitated.
“Now,” Buckner said, “or I will use this knife. It would certainly mar your reputation as a bodyguard. Not that it will matter soon.”
Garrett knew the man was insane enough to kill Marlene, so he lowered the gun and dropped it to the floor.
“Kick it over,” Buckner said.
Taking the small advantage offered, Garrett swung his foot to slide the gun across the floor, and in doing so, moved two steps closer. He’d succeeded in closing some of the distance between them. Marlene looked at him, and Garrett gave her a look of confidence, to convey that it was going to be okay.
“Don’t come any closer,” Marlene said. “That’s what he wants. He’ll kill you.”
“I’d advise you to listen to the lady,” Buckner said, then kicked the gun into the darkness. “I’m in control now.”
Garrett was wholly unprepared for what came next. Buckner tightened his grip on Marlene, and she gasped. On high alert, Garrett was ready for a fight. If only the guy would fight like a man, and not use an innocent woman as a barrier.
Then Buckner smirked, as if he was privy to some secret. He appeared a bit too pleased with himself, which put Garrett more on guard.
“You haven’t told her, have you?” Buckner said with a fake smile. When Garrett didn’t respond, the guy emitted an evil laugh.
Marlene was motionless in the madman’s grasp.
Buckner launched into a tirade, barely taking a breath. He described Andrew’s death in detail, including a battle scene and an attempted rescue. It was a story that appeared to be true to Buckner as he recited it—only it was pure fiction. “You’re a traitor, Flynn. Why don’t you come clean with her? You were the one who killed her brother, or you might as well have been.”
Garrett died a little inside when he saw the shocked look on Marlene’s face. But he said nothing.
“I am a man of valor,” Buckner said, “not you. I would have saved Andrew’s life, and Marlene would be with him today. But you got in my way. You shoved me to the ground; you stopped me from rescuing him.”
Marlene looked into Garrett’s eyes. “Is that true?” she said in a voice filled with emotion. It was the worst possible time for her to find out about his involvement in Andrew’s death.
Before Garrett could think of what to say, or a way to alleviate the shocking effect of the news, Buckner cut in. “So you see, I’m the man you want, Marlene. Don’t believe Flynn’s lies; don’t let him come between us.”
Garrett realized the man’s goal all along had been to possess Marlene. As if Buckner believed Marlene would fall into his arms, he released her but held the knife in position. The man was crazed, with a distorted concept of himself. He really thought that they’d view him as powerful and intimidating.
Buckner held the knife in his left hand and gripped Marlene’s arm in his other. With the sharp point at the base of her ribs, he hardly looked like a suitor about to make a plea for her affection.
Yet in his frenzy, Buckner forged ahead. “Don’t believe his lies. You know the truth now. We can run away together. I’ll take care of you, because your older brother isn’t alive to do it.”
Buckner looked lasciviously at Marlene. “Don’t worry about Flynn. I’ll take care of him for you. He’s not a problem.”
“You’re demented,” Garrett said in an authoritative voice. “You have an overblown ego. But all you can do is terrorize. You don’t have the guts to face me like a man.”
Buckner’s face turned red, as if he’d been slapped.
“You’re not a soldier,” Garrett said. “You weren’t in battle…ever. You’re a reject. No one wanted you.”
The veins in Buckner’s neck popped out, and his jaw locked.
“Your view of the world is complete delusion, just like your assumption that Marlene will go with you,” Garrett said. “You’re a screw-up, an impotent son of a bitch. You failed to be a soldier…and you’ve failed to be a man.”
With the lies thrown in his face, Garrett saw the man crack. Called out, he reacted violently. He seethed with hatred; his expression was that of a killer. In his emotional state, he might slip up. Garrett watched, waiting for the opportunity to take him out.
Yet Buckner seemed to cling to false hope. “Marlene, this is your chance. You’re mine. You won’t regret it. Tell me that you’ll leave with me.”
Marlene’s green eyes flamed. “Go to hell…you’re insane. Take your hands off me.”
“If you care about her, as you claim, you’ll release her,” Garrett said. “This is between you and me.”
Buckner’s certainty that Marlene would view him as a hero was clearly shattered. “No, you bitch,” he spat. “You don’t see how it is. After all you know you’d stay with that idiot. You deserve to be with me. I can’t leave you to a life not worth living.”
The man was seething, as the ultimate glory of having Marlene had been taken away. “I’ll have to kill you both.” He glared at Marlene. “If I can’t have you, then no one can. I’m the only man who has a right to you. Your life without me to guard and keep you safe would be too unbearable to endure.” He took a raspy breath. “I’ll have to end your life. It’s the kindest thing to do.”
Buckner stood to the right of Marlene. While holding the knife to the base of her ribs, he reached inside the left flap of his jacket and pulled his gun from a holster. He pointed it at Garrett.
“Don’t move or you’re dead. You think you’re so macho,” Buckner said. “You really thought you could save her. What a joke.”
Garrett didn’t flinch. Just one chance; that was all he
needed.
Then Buckner spoke to Marlene in a cold, calculated tone. “I’m going to kill your boyfriend first, so you can watch. I want you to know what a mistake you’ve made.” He sneered. “You’ll grovel at my feet before this is over.”
Buckner narrowed his eyes, then cocked the gun with the barrel aimed at Garrett’s heart. Without warning, Marlene lurched forward, then propelled her body over Buckner’s hand and the gun. It went off and she dropped to the ground, just as the knife clattered to the floor. She was facedown, and blood seeped out around her.
Garrett leapt forward and fell to his knees beside her. “Marlene…”
But the response was from Buckner. With his hands on Marlene’s shoulders, Garrett looked up to see a Taser pointed at him. The asshole was a fucking one-man armory.
“It’s over. You lost,” Buckner said. In a split second, Garrett assessed the man’s expression. It was one thing to threaten to kill, but it was quite another thing to do it. The man was no soldier, and his shock was evident. He’d killed the woman he’d wanted, the one he’d done all of this for. Buckner was stunned, with a desperate glint in his eyes.
But there was no going back. Buckner was crazed, and in his moment of hesitation, Garrett attacked.
Growling like an animal, Garrett grabbed the man’s ankle and yanked hard. Then he let go, like he’d touched a hot stove.
As if in slow motion, Buckner’s body flew up as his feet went out from under him, then tipped backward and fell into the electrical box. The Taser clanged against the metal then tangled in the cables. The energy from the Taser shorted out the electrical wires, and the man’s body was zapped—electrocuting him in an instant.
Garrett hardly paused to look at the dead man. This was no time to feel relieved. Guilt about his part in all of this swamped him. He loved Marlene more than life itself, and now he may not be given the chance to tell her. All he wanted was for her to live. His gaze fell to her motionless form in a pool of blood.
Chapter 25
Garrett turned Marlene onto her back, and pressed his jacket against the wound to slow the bleeding. Her eyes were partially open, and her breathing was shallow. But she was conscious. “Stay with me, sweetheart.”
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