Breaking the Lock

Seventeen

The gunshots startled him. Maxie stumbled and slipped to her knees and he watched in horror as she fell to the ground, her eyes locked on his. He covered the last few feet to her and dropped to his knees next to her, dropping his gun by his side. A pool of blood spread out underneath her, staining the snow scarlet. Her eyes fluttered open briefly and she smiled at him.

"I knew you'd come," she murmured as her eyes fluttered closed again.

"Maxie!" He rolled her carefully to her side, searching for the wound. She had a gunshot wound in her hip and another in her shoulder. Nathan yanked off his coat and pressed it against her hip. "Hang in there Jones," he murmured, reaching for his phone.

"You better leave your phone right where it is, West."

Nathan stiffened at the sound of Byron's voice, letting his hand drop to rest on Maxie's arm. He didn't look up but kept his eyes focused on the steady rhythm of her chest as it rose and fell with her breathing. Her wounds weren't life threatening yet but he definitely needed to get her medical attention soon. He took a deep breath and managed to tear his gaze from Maxie. Byron was hovering nearby with a gun in one hand pointed at Nathan and the other pressed against his neck. Blood dripped through his fingers and down his arm.

"Is the bitch dead?" Byron asked looking over Nathan's shoulder. "She stabbed me in the neck. Your girlfriend is a real piece of work."

Nathan glared at Byron, watching him for any signs of weakness. His gun had fallen too far away from him to reach it without Byron seeing. Maxie moaned under Nathan's touch.

"Oh, well there's time to finish her later," Byron remarked casually. "Let's get on with it. We have business to settle."

"I settled my business with you years ago," Nathan shot back.

"And ruined my life in the process. I lost everything because of you!" His hand tightened on the gun aimed at Nathan. "I've spent the last two years thinking about killing you. I hope you're ready."

Nathan launched himself at Byron, tackling him and taking him down to the ground. Byron's gun went off as he fell, shooting randomly into the trees. Using his surprise as an advantage, Nathan slammed himself against Byron, knocking him backwards against the ground. He reached for the gun, struggling with Byron. They rolled on the ground together, exchanging vicious blows. Byron landed a stinging blow to the side of Nathan's head, momentarily stunning him and giving Byron the upper hand.

Byron scrabbled backwards and squeezed off a shot that missed Nathan by inches. Shaking himself, Nathan rolled to wear his gun had fallen and aimed it at Byron.

"Enough Frank! This ends now!" He barked at him.

Byron stared at him briefly before shaking his head. "You're right Nathan. This is ending now."

Nathan got to his feet slowly, his eyes focused on Frank Byron. He wasn't about to let Byron win. He was going to disarm him and then get Maxie to a hospital. This was their year and they had everything to look forward to. Nothing was going to stand in their way.

"Put the gun down, Frank. I don't want to kill you."

Byron cracked an empty smile, his eyes ablaze with hatred. "See, there's the difference between us, Nathan," he said, once more tightening his grip on his gun. "You're so damned honorable. You do the right thing even when you don't want to. Well guess what? I don't have that problem. I want someone dead, I kill them. And right now, there is nothing I would like to do more than kill you. You're dead and so's your girlfriend."

It happened so fast that Nathan had no idea who shot first. All he knew was the feel of his gun as it fired and kicked back and then the sound of a sharp crack of gunfire filling the small clearing ending the stalemate. A bullet tore across Nathan's arm as he watched Byron lower his weapon with a look of shock. Byron turned slightly, looking behind him to where Dante Falconeri stood with his gun still trained on him. Both detectives watched as Byron fell to his knees, blood bubbling from his mouth. He stared soundlessly at Nathan as the last gasp of breath escaped him.

Nathan holstered his gun and fell to Maxie's side. She was still bleeding and unconscious. Dante lowered his weapon and approached Byron's body, kneeling beside it to check for a pulse. Finding none, he got back to his feet and turned his attention to Nathan and Maxie.

"How is she?" He asked, reaching for his phone.

"Alive," Nathan replied sliding his arms underneath her limp body. He pulled her closer to him, cradling her against his chest. "I need to get her to the hospital."

"I'm calling for an ambulance," Dante answered.

"No time," Nathan answered. He got to his feet with Maxie pressed against him. "Dante, he shot her while she was trying to get away. She's bleeding so much I can't see where she's hit."

"Maybe we shouldn't move her then."

"Dante, please, I can't lose her."

Dante nodded. "I'll get the car and meet you at the house." He took off through the snow at a run leaving Nathan to carry Maxie. Nathan struggled through the snow, cradling Maxie carefully in his arms. She moaned lightly into his shoulder.

"Hang in there, Maxie. You're going to be okay, I promise." He kissed her forehead and pushed on toward the cabin, determined to get Maxie to a hospital. He refused to think about losing her. He'd thought of nothing but his future with Maxie since he'd realized how he felt about her. Dante was waiting at the cabin, holding a blanket. He took Maxie from Nathan and wrapped her in the blanket while Nathan climbed in the backseat. Dante laid Maxie out on the backseat, laying her head gently on Nathan's lap before climbing behind the wheel of the car.

Dante called Ferris on the way to the hospital who told them he would send word to the emergency room and have a trauma team waiting for them. They were silent during the drive to the hospital. Nathan kept his focus on Maxie, murmuring words of encouragement to her even though she didn't regain consciousness. Ferris was true to his word and a trauma team was waiting for them. Nathan surrendered Maxie to the nurses but stayed close as they rolled her through the ER doors.

They wheeled her into a curtained room but stopped him when he tried to follow. "I'm sorry sir," a nurse said to him in an apologetic voice. "It would be better if you waited out here."

"No, I need to be with her," he said in protest.

"Come on man," Dante said pulling him away. "Let 'em work." He stepped back with Dante as the curtain closed on Maxie, saying a silent prayer for her. "She'll be okay, Nathan. Come on, let's get you looked at too."

Nathan waved him off. "I'm fine."

"Come on, Nathan. Frank Byron shot you at point blank range and I know he hit you. I saw myself. Maxie would kill me if you were hurt and I didn't get you to a doctor too." Nathan took a deep breath and acquiesced physically but his thoughts remained with Maxie.