Mad Summer Love

Run

Maddox looked at his daughter, then at Summer. “At least untie them, there are three of you with guns. We're unarmed and one of us is a ten-year-old.”

“You're breaking my heart, kid,” Frank said sarcastically. “Fine, as a show of good faith, but then, we get down to business.”

Frank nodded to the men behind them and one moved forward to untie Summer first, then Madison.

Summer sighed with relief as they released her.

Maddox used the moment as Madison was being freed to hug Summer who threw her arms around him and pulled him in close.

Maddox put his lips close to her ear. “They aren't going to let us go. I need your help,” he whispered quickly, hoping she would have the instincts to do what needed to be done.

She nodded quickly in agreement. She knew they weren't going to let them go as well. She would do whatever it took to get her family out of there alive.

As soon as Madison was released, she ran over and clung to her mother and father, sobbing.

Maddox looked at Frank, he knew he had to find an opening, but three armed men were going to be hard to overcome and he wasn't about to risk the lives of Summer and Madison.

“You win, Frank, but I need assurances that we walk out of here.”

Frank frowned at Maddox. “Don't push your luck, you little s**t. I already told you if you do what I say, you all go free. It's just a matter of a little paperwork.”

Frank looked at one of the men behind them. “Go get my briefcase out of my car, so we can get this over with.”

Without hesitation, the man walked to the back of the warehouse and out the door.

Maddox looked around the room considering, the odds were a bit better now, but he needed to work fast.

Summer knew Maddox was planning something, but she didn't know what. All she knew was she needed to get their daughter out of there and fast.

She squeezed Madison tight to her and soothingly stroked her hair. “It's OK, Baby,” she told her sobbing child.

Maddox shifted his weight drawing Frank's gun toward him. “Don't do anything stupid, Maddy,” Frank hissed.

Maddox raised his hands in response. He had the slight advantage that him being dead was of no use to Frank.

“What happens to my mother, Francis and Sophia after all this?”

Frank smirked. “They think I am out trying to save you from kidnappers right now. They will have to leave the mansion, from there I don't give a s**t. I am sure what your dad left them in their personal funds is more than enough to start over.”

At least Maddox knew they weren't hurt, but time was ticking. The man who had gone for the briefcase wouldn't be much longer, but it turned out luck was on his side. A faint sound of sirens began in the distance getting louder. Maddox was hoping Frank's barrage of gunfire had alerted someone to call the police.

Frank turned to look toward the noise and the other guard moved to a nearby window to peer out.

Maddox took the opportunity to grab the empty chair swinging it hard and fast at Frank’s arm. He knew there was no way he was going to wrestle the weapon from the giant. Maddox knocked the gun free from his hand, sending it clattering to the floor.

The big man howled in pain and rage, causing the other guard to turn while going for his own gun. Maddox was quicker, however. He dipped for the gun, then shuffled sideways, drawing the gunfire away from Summer and Madison.

Summer knew she was going to have to make a break for it.

She bent down and whispered to Madison, “Keep running - no matter what - and find yourself somewhere to hide until Daddy or I come and get you.”

Madison nodded and wiped her eyes.

The first shot whistled by Maddox who was now returning fire. He caught the shooter in the chest with two rapid shots, dropping the man before he could fire another round.

“Run Summer,” he howled, turning the gun toward Frank.

Summer took off as fast as she could, hand in hand with Madison. “Run, Baby, come on!” she urged her daughter, pulling her towards the exit.

Frank wasn't just big, he was strong, and an injured wrist only pissed him off. Maddox caught Frank's good fist in the face before he could swing all the way around, the force nearly flipping Maddox over as he fell backward.

He hit the ground hard, the wind forced from his lungs. Fortunately, he was able to hang on to the gun, but he couldn't breathe. He gasped for air, trying to take stock of his body to see if anything was broken. His mind screamed at him to get up before Frank was on him again.

The sirens were getting louder. Frank looked at Maddox, then at Summer trying to flee. In a split second he decided an unarmed woman and child were the safer prey, even if Maddox was stunned he still had the gun. There was also the police to worry about and he didn't have a lot of time. The enormous man moved with surprising speed for his size.

In three strides he caught up to Summer who was being slowed down by Madison. Frank grabbed her by the hair, yanking her backwards as he reached for Madison, intending to scoop the child up, so he could drag them both away.

Summer felt herself being yanked back by her hair and couldn't help but cry out in pain. She saw it was Frank and watched him reach for Madison, but Summer elbowed him in the gut before he could grab her.

“Run, Madison!!” she screamed at her daughter as she threw one fist over her shoulder, punching Frank in the side of his head.

Instantly, her hand stung in pain and she cried out again, but still threw another punch, landing it once more against his cheek. She could see Maddox laying on the floor, struggling.

“Maddox!” she yelled as she watched him trying to shake off the hit he took. “Maddox, get up!”