“Let’s go, Mary Mae.It’s time to go home.You knew I’d come get you once I saw the pictures you posted online for me.I knew you’d send me a message.It’s time for us to be together the way you always wanted.He can’t keep you here anymore.”
Nash slowed his pace and kept his gun down.“Hey, buddy, this is private property.You need to leave.”As he’d hoped, the gun swung in his direction.
Even through the balaclava, Nash saw the fury.
Parson’s aimed the gun at Nash’s chest.“Back the fuck up, asshole.I’m taking Mary Mae home with me.She’s mine, and you can’t keep her here.”
“You’re mistaken.This is Olivia, and she belongs here.”
“Bullshit.You can’t fool me.She was always supposed to be mine.She was supposed to come with me when that loser died.Instead of dying alone, he took her with him.The bastard never could follow my plans.You can’t have her.She’s mine.She’s finally mine.Come on, Mary, it’s our time now.”
Nash heard Olivia’s soft gasp as her fears were confirmed.It sounded like Parsons had been the one to send her friends over the guardrail in the hopes of killing Liam.It also sounded like something in his mind had snapped.In one breath he spoke about Mary Mae being dead.In the next, he called Olivia Mary Mae.
Nash hoped like hell that Amber had included Chief Ramirez in the calls she was making.
Nash held up his left hand as if he was unarmed.“Put down your weapon and we can figure out what’s going on.”
Of course, Parsons didn’t.They rarely did.
Nash kept closing the distance between him and the other man.He didn’t step closer to Olivia, hoping Parsons would focus on him.
That would give Nash time to attempt to talk him down.It would also give his buddies time to surround him and ensure that the kids were safe.
Nash shoved that thought away.He needed all his focus here.Amber and Boomer would protect the kids.
Nash moved closer.“There’s no one here for you, Parsons.It’s time to go home.Time to move on.”
Rage sounded in the scream.“No!Mary Mae is mine.She always been mine.You can’t have her.She’s mine.”
Nash kept his gun angled away from the man.“I have no interest in Mary Mae.”
Triumph lit Parsons’s eyes.Nash couldn’t see much beyond the balaclava, but it didn’t matter.The man’s eyes and body language were enough.They’d telegraph his intent.It took years of training to stop the body doing that and Parsons didn’t have it.
Maybe talking about Mary Mae would get him to lower the gun.“Tell me about Mary Mae.I haven’t had the chance to meet her.”
Those eyes widened, and Nash realized his mistake as the man looked back toward Olivia.Nash took another step closer, almost close enough to take him down without a weapon.“When did you meet Mary Mae?”
Thankfully, Parsons turned his attention back to Nash.“We were kids.I knew she was the one from the moment I saw her.She was perfect for me.The prettiest one.Mine.”
“What kinds of things did you do together?”
His eyes narrowed.“She was stuck with my brother.He wouldn’t let her free.He wouldn’t let her choose.She was stuck with him, and I couldn’t get her free.She was supposed to be mine.Mine and I’m getting her free, now.”
The obsession was loud and clear.Nash had to use it to keep Parsons’s attention off Olivia.He hoped she was backing up and getting the hell away from danger, but he didn’t dare spare her a glance.He needed Parsons’s attention squarely on him.Although he wished the man would lower the gun.
Suddenly, Parsons whipped his head back in Olivia’s direction.Nash didn’t waste any time checking to see what had changed.He needed to neutralize the threat because the gun was swinging away from Nash and back to where Olivia had been standing.Nash fired into the man’s shoulder even as he heard two more shots.One from beyond Parsons, probably Gray, and the other from Parsons’s gun.
Terror consumed Nash, but he continued to do his job.Parsons sank to the ground, screaming and clutching his shoulder, but he still held his weapon, and his eyes were searching for a target.
“Drop the weapon, Parsons.Drop it now.”
Similar shouts echoed around the clearing as he saw his friends move in from various positions.
Parsons wasn’t looking at any of them though.He narrowed his eyes and aimed the gun again.
Nash jumped in front of Olivia.
Olivia shrieked as Nash threw himself at Adam.Right in the path of the gun.
