Page 110 of Marked

“Thanks, but I’m good,” I said, aiming for casual despite my racing heart. “Just taking a midnight stroll. You know, enjoying nature, contemplating my poor life choices. The usual.”

“Oh, we know exactly what you’re doing out here.” Another man chuckled darkly. “Running from those Stone boys, aren’t you? But they’re not coming. Not yet anyway.”

“Wow, stalker much?” I quipped, though my voice wavered. “I should warn you, this whole creepy-men-in-black routine is a little passé. Very last season.”

“Such a waste,” the first man said, inhaling deeply like he could smell my fear. “Letting those Stone mutts lay claim to something so… precious.”

They were closing in now, and I knew with terrifying certainty that I was about to find out exactly why the Stone brothers were so protective of me—if I survived long enough to ask them. And wouldn’t that just be perfect? Finally getting answers but being too dead to appreciate them.

“Listen, guys,” I said, backing away slowly, “I’m flattered by the whole stalker-convention vibe, but I’m really not interested in joining your creepy book club.”

The leader’s smile turned predatory. “Oh, but we insist. The Stones have been hoarding you long enough.”

“Hoarding? I’m not a limited edition Funko Pop, thanks.” My heart hammered, but my mouth apparently hadn’t gotten the ‘danger’ memo. “And seriously, who coordinates a kidnapping in matching black SUVs? Very subtle. Did you get a group discount?”

One of them grabbed my arm, grip bruising. I tried to twist away but another seized me from behind, crushing me against his chest. The air left my lungs in a painful whoosh. God, they were strong—impossibly strong. Luke’s voice echoed in my head: “Those Stone brothers are definitely serial killers.” Looks like we were wrong about which ones to fear in Cedar Grove.

“Let go!” I struggled, but it was like fighting a mountain. My five-foot-six frame might as well have been a toy in theirmassive hands. Imo’s warnings about staying safe in small towns suddenly felt less paranoid and more prophetic.

Scout launched himself at one of the men, snarling with unexpected ferocity. In the chaos, I managed to stamp down hard on my captor’s foot. His grip loosened just enough for me to ram my elbow back—hurting myself more than him.

“Feisty little thing.” The leader laughed, then backhanded me across the face.

The blow sent me sprawling onto the asphalt. Pain exploded across my cheek, copper flooding my mouth. Stars danced in my vision as I tried to crawl away.

What did they want with me? Was this about the brothers? Some kind of territorial feud I’d stumbled into? Maria’s concerned face flashed through my mind—all those times she’d insisted on knowing where I was going, who I was with.

Oh God, the brothers. I actually wished they were here now, with their impossible strength and protective instincts. Even their frustrating hot-and-cold behavior seemed trivial compared to the very real possibility that I might die on this dark road.

A boot caught my ribs, flipping me onto my back. Pain exploded through my chest as I gasped for air. Through tears, I saw more men approaching, their faces twisted with cruel anticipation. Scout was still fighting, but two men had him cornered now.

“The Stones think they can just claim anything they want,” the leader spat, hauling me up by my hair. “Time they learned a lesson about territory.”

Territory? What territory? I was just a bookstore clerk with student loans and a talent for terrible life choices. Luke’s voice rang in my head: “Dude, you’re living in a horror movie. Three hot mysterious men in a small town? You’re either the love interest or the first victim.”

Guess which one I was turning out to be.

“Look,” I wheezed, tasting blood, “if this is about the brothers, I’m nothing to them. Just their weird hobby of the month. You’re wasting your time.”

The leader’s laugh was ugly. “Nothing to them? Is that why they’ve been circling you like starving wolves? Why they mark everything you touch?” He inhaled deeply near my neck, making my skin crawl. “Why you reek of their claim?”

I didn’t understand half of what he was saying, but I desperately wished I hadn’t tried to seduce the brothers like some hormone-driven teenager. If I’d just stayed put, maybe had coffee and enjoyed their company despite all that charged tension… Hell, even their frustrating hot-and-cold routine would be better than whatever these psychos had planned.

Another blow caught my stomach. As I doubled over, retching, I thought of Imo’s last call: “Be careful, Kai. Some places hide dark secrets.” Well, Imo, looks like Cedar Grove’s secret was a murderous book club with territorial issues.

“Please,” I gasped, not above begging at this point. “I don’t know what you want—”

“Oh, but you will.” The leader grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyes… there was something wrong with his eyes. They looked almost amber in the darkness. “The Stones aren’t the only ones who can claim a mate.”

Mate? What the hell?

Something inside me recoiled at his touch, at that word coming from his mouth. It felt wrong, violated something deep and primal inside me. The pain in my body suddenly felt distant, replaced by a strange heat spreading from my core.

“No,” I growled, surprising myself with the sound. It didn’t even sound like my voice.

The leader’s eyes widened slightly. “Well, well. Maybe you’re not as human as you look.”

Human? What did he mean, not human? But before I could process that, Scout broke free and lunged at the leader’s throat. In the chaos, I did the only thing I could—I ran. My body screamed in protest, but terror gave me speed.

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