Web's voice was urgent. Derek just entered the building through the parking garage. He's not supposed to be here. Marcus' heart rate spiked. "Where's Ms. Hart?"
"Still in her office." We've got eyes on her, but Derek's heading for the executive floor now. Web's voice tightened. Get to her. Marcus ran.
His boots pounded against marble as he raced down the corridor. Behind him, he heard elevator doors opening. Footsteps echoing through the empty building. He burst into Elena's wing to find her at her desk. Paperwork spread around her, completely unaware.
"We need to go," Marcus said urgently. "Now." Elena looked up instantly, reading the tension in his voice. What's Derek in the building coming up? We mobilizing security, but the lights went out.
Complete darkness swallowed the executive floor. Emergency lighting failed to activate. Marcus heard Elena's sharp intake of breath. Heard movement in the hallway outside. Every instinct screamed danger.
"Stay behind me," he whispered, pulling Elena away from her desk. His eyes were adjusting to the darkness. Shapes emerging from shadow. "He's cutting power." Elena breathed against his shoulder.
"Disabling security systems. Where's your panic button? Desk drawer. But if the power's out, footsteps in the hallway. Slow, deliberate.
Someone who knew exactly where they were going. Marcus positioned himself between Elena and the door. His hands were empty, his mind racing through options. He wasn't a fighter, wasn't trained for this, but he'd meant what he said about protecting her. "Elena."
Derek's voice called from the darkness. Friendly, calm, are you still here? The power went out. I came to make sure you were okay. The performance was chilling in its normalcy.
Marcus felt Elena tense against his back. I'm fine, Derek, she called back, her voice steady despite everything. Just finishing some work. The emergency lighting should kick in any moment. Actually, it won't.
Derek appeared in the doorway, backlit by exit signs in the hallway beyond. Marcus couldn't see his face clearly, but he could see the gun in Derek's hand. Dark and deadly. I made sure of that. Had months to prepare to understand every system in this building.