When Billy saw Mr. 7G holding the gun, he immediately tackled him to the ground and grabbed the gun. Maxi saw the flash of fury in his eyes as he lifted his fist to punch 7G.
“No! Don’t! Billy don’t!” she screamed as she was finally able to move freely when the dogs ran to their owner’s side. She, Bonnie, Clyde and Carter rushed towards Billy and Mr. 7G at the same time. Carter jumped on Billy’s back as Maxi kept yelling, “Don’t hurt him! He didn’t do anything.”
Before he landed a punch, Billy stood and shrugged Carter off, still holding the gun as he stood he pulled Maxi into his arms just as she reached him. As much as she wanted to stay there, to absorb his safety and strength, she couldn’t. Pushing away from him she pointed to the back door. “They have Jana! He said they have Jana!”
Billy scanned the area, saw the man that was knocked out on the floor and pushed the gun in Carter’s hand. “I’ll take care of him. You take them into the office, lock the doors, the police are on their way. Don’t let anyone in but Grover or me. Do you understand?”
Carter nodded as he started helping Mr. 7G, who was getting licked by his dogs.
In two steps Billy crossed the foyer and reached the man knocked out on the ground when Maxi heard Jana’s voice.
“What the hell is going on?”
Maxi turned to see her friend standing in the lobby. Alive.
“Jana!” Maxi ran and threw her arms around her. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
“Who? Did who hurt me? Are you okay? What’s happened?”
Letting her arms drop, Maxi stepped back, pointing at the man that Billy was standing over. “He grabbed me and said they had you.”
“No one had me. I was shopping and realized I didn’t have my phone. I came back to get it,” Jana explained.
“Oh thank God.” Maxi hugged her friend once more before turning to Mr. 7G and asked. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine.” He assured her as he got up and gathered the dog’s leashes.
A moment later, a dozen or more police officers flooded through the doors and Maxi felt tears filling her eyes, blurring her vision. There were loud voices and commotion and the room was spinning. When she felt Billy’s arms surround her she let herself fall into him. He ran his hands through her hair as he promised her she was safe and everything was okay now. And it was. Everyone was safe. And as long as Billy’s arms were around her, so was she.