Matt told them to stay back, then wrapped his coat around himself to hide his vest and knocked on the door. When no one answered, Matt improvised. "Delivery for a Mr. Price."
* * *
Max had slipped into a hall closet and listened. There was more knocking, then a pause, then a voice. She knew that voice. It was Matt! She was tempted to rush from her hiding place and throw open the door, but knew better. Martin had probably returned to the bedroom and found her missing. He would be waiting for her to show herself now, gun in hand. His words echoed in her head. If it was in self defense, he would forgive me.
Matt was louder this time. "Delivery for Mr. Price!"
Max heard footsteps in the hall and knew Martin was going to the door. After she made sure he had disappeared into the living room, she slowly opened the closet door and slid carefully out. She walked slowly and carefully, not wanting to alert Martin to her presence. She walked toward the living room and stopped when she got a clear view of him. He was looking through the peephole in the door, the gun still clutched in his hand.
"Delivery!" Matt's voice sounded again, louder this time.
Martin shook his head when he saw no package. Typically transparent, he thought as he moved away from the door. He let his hands fall limply to his sides and went to the window.
Max darted behind the couch before he could see her. She damned the lack of her usual speed and strength as she looked at the door. If I was myself, I could take him out and open that door with a smile. She thought angrily. She peeked over the couch and found Martin no longer looking out the window, but directly at her. She let out a gasp and ducked behind the couch.
Martin stormed over to the couch, gun raised and ready. He jumped up onto the cushions and pointed the gun downward. He didn't fire, however, because Max had managed to disappear from his sight. He felt something touch his back, then found himself falling over the edge of the couch and onto the floor.
Max dove over the couch and on top of him. She punched him as hard as she could manage, then tried to grab the gun from his grasp. He grabbed hold of her shoulder and pushed her down, then kneed her in the stomach. She grunted but wouldn't allow herself to give in to any pain. Again she reached for the gun, but this time she just bumped into his hand with her shoulder, causing his finger to press down on the trigger and the gun to go off.
* * *
After the group in the hallway heard the shot, Matt ordered the men to break down the door. The two men approached the door and kicked out at the same time, causing tiny splinters to shoot off from near the hinges. It only took one more kick for the door to snap and fall to the floor. The two men rushed into the apartment, followed closely by Logan and Matt.
Logan immediately rushed over and pulled Max away from Martin. He could see blood soaking through Martin's shirt and wondered just how much damage Max had managed to inflict upon the man, but when Max gave a sharp groan and her hand flew up to her shoulder, he knew he had been wrong.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" He asked quickly, looking down at Max and examining her.
She removed her hand shakily and showed Logan where the bullet had entered and lodged itself in her clavicle. She tried grinning, but couldn't manage. "Not so bad."
"Logan, get her to a hospital." Matt ordered as he helped the other two men restrain Martin.
"Yeah." One of the men grunted as he handcuffed Martin. "Get your girl outta here."
Logan and Max spoke simultaneously. "She's not my -" and "I'm not his -"
"Go!" Matt demanded.
Logan put an arm around Max and helped her exit the apartment. He helped her down through the building and into the Aztek. He helped her into the passenger seat then quickly got into the car himself.
"Just keep pressure on it." He told her and started the car.
A/N: I could only get this chapter up 'cause I'm dead tired after a day of not-so-good shopping.