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“No,” Gage said, “I’m not like you.”

“Where is Tommy?” Bruce asked.

Linc piped up, “He’s outside. He’ll need a Band-aid when you get a chance.”

Max turned to Linc as if he’d just noticed him. He slowly swung the barrel of the shotgun toward Linc, looking all too eager to test out the short range on the buckshot.

Brett couldn’t stand by while Linc got blown to smithereens. He dove for Max’s back, latching an arm around his neck and using the other to pin his arms down.

Bruce dove right after Brett, more than ready to get his hands in the fight.

There was a fury of fists and elbows as Brett hung onto Max–who seemed to be the biggest threat. Bruce threw his weight around, while Max fought back like a cornered animal.

A powerful blow hit the side of Brett’s face, bringing on a quick darkness, but he held tight to Max, hoping Gage had been able to get his hands on the shotgun.

Seconds later, the bulk of the weight was pulled off Brett as the sirens grew louder in the distance.

Finally! The police had certainly taken the scenic route. They could have been dead five times over by now.

Linc wrapped his arms around Bruce’s stout body and lifted him just enough to body slam the older man onto his side.

Bruce groaned as he hit the ground, but Linc kept a tight grip on Bruce’s arms as he twisted them behind him.

Brett adjusted his arms around Max, holding him down as best he could. The guy was completely frantic, and Brett wrestled him to the ground, pinning him with his weight.

The pounding in Brett’s head throbbed harder as the sirens grew louder.

“Gage, put the gun down before the police get in here,” Brett said.

Gage sighed and laid the gun in the corner as the police identified themselves somewhere outside.

With Bruce and Max restrained and Cain groaning on the floor, Brett jerked his head up to check on Thea.

She was huddled into a corner, wrapped up with Emerson. Thea pressed her hand over her mouth and kept her gaze locked with his.

He’d get her out of this if it was the last thing he did in his life. He just had to hang onto Max for a little longer.

There was a loud bang from somewhere out in the garage.

Could they move a little faster? The garage might be doing business as usual, but Brett couldn’t keep crazy Max held down forever.

A herd of SWAT officers dressed in black appeared in the broken doorway with guns raised.

Great. He was going to have to let go of Max.

“Drop your weapons and put your hands in the air!”

Brett didn’t exactly have a weapon in his hands, but a pistol was on his belt. He couldn’t just lift his hands to get to it. His arms were tangled with Max’s.

“Now!”

Brett pulled back, resting onto his knees, and Max immediately lunged for one of the SWAT officers with his hands, reaching for the guy’s throat.

The officer was quick, and a bullet hit Max before he could get his hands on the officer.

Thea and Emerson let out twin screams behind Brett as Max fell to the ground like a tree.

Seconds later, two other officers had their hands on Max, holding him to the ground and shouting orders.