Security is already coming, Marcus said. His voice was steady despite his racing heart. Building's on lockdown. You won't make it out. "I don't need to make it out."
Derek's tone was almost conversational. I just need her dead. They'll extract me after. New identity, new life. But only if I finish the job.
The gun rose, pointing directly at Elena. Marcus saw Derek's finger tighten on the trigger. He didn't think, didn't calculate odds or consider consequences. He lunged sideways, slamming into Derek with all his weight, driving them both into the wall beside the door. The gun discharged deafeningly loud in the enclosed space.
The muzzle flash illuminated the office in stark white light. Marcus felt the bullet pass so close to his head the air pressure made his ear ring, but he was already moving. Grabbing for Derek's wrist, trying to control the weapon, they crashed into furniture, struggled in near darkness. Derek was stronger than he looked, desperate enough to fight with everything he had. "Run!"
Marcus shouted at Elena. "Get out!" But Elena didn't run. He caught a glimpse of her moving in his peripheral vision. Heard the crash of something heavy.
Her desk lamp connected with Derek's skull. The CTO staggered, his grip on the gun loosening. Marcus wrenched it away, sending it skittering across the floor into darkness. Derek recovered faster than expected. Drove an elbow into Marcus' ribs that forced the air from his lungs.
They went down together, hit the floor hard, and then hands closed around Marcus's throat, squeezing with methodical pressure. Should have stayed invisible. Derek's face was inches away. His voice a hiss. Should have just fixed the lights and disappeared.
But you had to play hero. Had to make yourself important to her. His fingers dug deeper. Now you die with her. Marcus' vision started to gray at the edges. his lungs screaming for air.
He clawed at Derek's hands, trying to break the grip, but his strength was fading fast. Through the gathering darkness, he saw Elena searching frantically for something, anything she could use. Then light flooded the office, blinding after so much darkness. Voices shouted from multiple directions. The pressure on Marcus' throat released abruptly as security guards swarmed the room, pulling Derek away, forcing him to the ground.
Marcus gasped for air, his throat raw, his vision clearing slowly. Strong hands helped him sit up. And suddenly, Elena was there, kneeling beside him, her hands framing his face with desperate gentleness. "Marcus." Her voice broke on his name.
"Can you hear me?" "Are you hurt?" He tried to speak, coughed instead, his throat burning. Elena's eyes were wide with fear he'd never seen there before, tears tracking down her cheeks. She was shaking.
"I'm okay," he managed. His voice barely a whisper. "Are you did he? I'm fine. You kept yourself between us."
Her thumb brushed his cheek. Only then did Marcus realize he was bleeding from somewhere. You threw yourself at a gun, you impossible, brave, stupid man. You could have died. Couldn't let him hurt you.