Page 44 of Defending Madison

She reaches for the door. “I’ll just…”

“Madison! No, you won’t. Someone will be here soon. I can’t get out because my door is crushed, and it’s too late for you to get out your door.”

The man struts toward the SUV with a sadistic grin. Madison looks around and points. “Cops.”

“Thank fuck. They took their time getting here.”

The man she called Bobby slams his fist against Madison’s window. He’s screaming with spittle hitting the glass as rage drips off him.

Adrenaline spiking through my body, I pull Madison toward me as I point my large black gun at the window. “Step back.”

He recenters his stance and cocks his head. Surprise lands on his face as he focuses on the gun in my hand. Slowly he turns his head and leers at Madison.

“Get around me into the back seat, Madison.”

“You forget how big I am.”

“Now, damn it.”

Madison is moving between our seats. Pain steals my breath every time she jostles my seat to get to the back. It’s worth it. I need her safe. Bobby reaches behind him into his pants and pulls out a large silver object. My mind takes a brief click to realize it’s a pipe or tool, not a gun. He slams it against the window sending shards throughout the SUV and spraying back on himself. He stands there, holding it up, ready to strike again as Madison makes it all the way through.

“Bobby?”

The man’s focus turns to me.

“Set the weapon down.”

“She’s mine. Who the fuck do you think you are? I’ve seen you two together. You’re the man she fucked when we were in college before she broke up with me.”

“Come on, Bobby. That was a long time ago. Why now?”

“My wife left me. She…” He swivels his head to stare at Madison as he starts yelling. “It’s your fucking fault.”

He moves to the rear passenger window as the opposite side door opens. Maxim pulls Madison to safety. I drop my gun in the center console and using all my strength, I pull myself across the console and onto the passenger seat, pushing open the passenger door as Bobby realizes Madison has gone out the other side. I propel my body to follow, reaching him before he gets around the SUV. My uninjured arm grabs him, and I slam him into the side of the SUV. Banner grabs Bobby as the cops surround the vehicle.

“Dixon?”

Madison’s voice brings me back to find my woman.

Maxim grabs me as I get to her. “Dude, you’re injured. She’s safe. I’m not going anywhere so let’s get you to the hospital.”

Madison moves with Maxim and I to the waiting EMTs. “Don’t worry, Dixon. I’m not leaving your side.”

“Music to my ears, sweetheart. Let’s make that permanent.”

The EMT helps me climb on the gurney and peppers me with questions about my injury.

MADISON

It’s been three days since the car accident, and I haven’t been away from Dixon for more than fifteen minutes a few times a day. Walking back into his room, I smile. Did he realize he proposed? Whether he knew what he was saying, doesn’t matter. The man is mine. I called Brian to tell him as much.

Dixon’s smile greets me and all is well with the world. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m sore as hell, but relieved you’re okay. I’m sorry.”

I approach the bed, sitting on the edge. “What are you sorry about?”

“I failed. He could have hurt you.”

---