Rescuing Madison (Book 1)

Chapter Twenty Five

Jackson's POV

I saw the scared look he had on his face, before his mouth turned up into a smug grin. I had never wanted to kill someone before, but seeing Madison, beaten & bloody, on the floor at Joel's feet, made me want to pull the trigger so bad. I didn't want Madison to see that though. She had already been through too much.

"You won't shoot me in front of her." he smirked. "You wouldn't want her to see you as a murderer, would you?"

"Something makes me think that she wouldn't really mind to see you die. It might actually help her if she sees a bullet go through you. Maybe then she could finally forget all about you."

I knew I hit a sore spot with him when I watched his jaw clench & his body tense up. I looked at Madison, & she was calmly laying there, watching me. I could see in her eyes how much she trusted me to get her out of here. & I would.

"She's mine. & She knows it." He turned & looked down at Madison. "Aren't you, sweetheart?"

She slowly shook her head. "No."

I saw his hands tighten into fists. "Yes, you are. YOU ARE MINE!"

I needed to get him away from Madison before he hurt her anymore than he already had. I knew what I had to do.

"Get over it, Joel. She doesn't want you. She never has." He opened his mouth to say something, but I kept going. "How could she want a sick freak like you? A psychotic creep that has kidnapped her twice? She. Doesn't. Want. You."

Rage flashed across his face. "SHUT UP!"

I smiled at him. "Did you know the police are on their way here? You know what that means for you, right? You'll never see Madison again. She'll be free of you."

All of a sudden, he ran at me. I didn't have time to pull the trigger before he crashed into me. I went flying back, & landed hard with him on top of me. I vaguely heard Madison scream. I blocked a few of his punches before he finally landed one on me. I felt my lip bust open, & I tasted blood in my mouth. My breath left my body when he punched me in the stomach.

He paused for a minute & laughed. I saw my chance, & I punched him in the face. He jumped off of me & scrambled backwards, clutching onto his nose. I could see blood running down his face. I hoped that I broke his nose. I looked over at Madison, & she was still laying on the ground. But, she had moved over closer to the wall. I wanted to pick her up & get her out of here, but I knew this creep wouldn't make it easy for me.

I ran over to Madison. "I'm going to get you out of here, baby. I promise." She nodded. I helped her sit up. She groaned. "I know it hurts. Help is almost here."

She looked over my shoulder, & her eyes went wide. "Jackson.." she whispered, at the same time I felt a gun against my head.

"Get up. Now. Or I'll shoot her." Joel said. I slowly got up. "Turn around & walk over to the wall over there."

I did as he said. I turned around when I got to the wall, putting my hands up, so he'd know I didn't have anything to hurt him with. Turning around had put the gun right in my face. I looked over at Madison, & she was sobbing.

"Don't look at her." Joel said. "You look up at me, so I can see the life leave your eyes when I kill you."

I looked up at him then. I was wishing that Madison didn't have to see this. Then I heard the sirens. I would have let out a sigh of relief if I hadn't been on my knees with a gun in my face. The panic on his face made me smile.

"I told you they were coming." I said.

"Shut up!" he said. He raised his hand & hit me in the face with the butt of the gun. I fell back. My vision was blurry, & the pain I felt in my jaw was unbearable. Don't you dare pass out. Don't leave Madison with this freak.

I saw something move in the corner of the room, but I couldn't move my head to look over. I heard a whack & watched as Joel fell to the ground. Behind where he just stood was Madison, looking like an angel, holding a long, heavy looking piece of wood. I wanted to laugh at the sight, but all I could do was smile. I have no idea how she got the rope off of her wrists & ankles, but I was so glad that she had.

I looked at Joel & he was completely passed out. I carefully sat up. I could hear the police running down the stairs now. Madison laid the wood on the floor & walked over to me. She sat on my lap & wrapped her arms around me.

"I was so scared that he was going to shoot you. I couldn't let him do that to you. I couldn't be without you." she cried.

"I know, baby. I'm not going anywhere. Thank you for saving me."

She softly laughed. "Anytime."

"How hurt are you?" I asked, pulling my shirt off to give to her. I knew she wouldn't want everyone to see her in just her bra.

"I think my ribs are cracked. My head hurts pretty bad. & I feel so sore everywhere." She gently touched my face. "You're going to have a pretty nasty bruise."

"It was worth it."

I stood up, still holding onto Madison. I turned her so I was cradling her in my arms. The cops ran in then, & stopped when they saw us. Kolt walked in the room, & his eyes widened as he walked over to us.

"This is going to sound so cheesy, but I've never been this happy to see you two." Kolt said.

Madison & I chuckled. I followed Kolt out of the door, up the stairs, & outside. I don't think I had ever been happier to see EMT's & ambulances than I felt right now.