"Settle down there, Styles, I'm helping her. She's hurt," Jack yelled over his shoulder at Harry.

Jack was not releasing his grip on Madelyn's wrist. Rather, he grasped her by the waist with his left hand as he continued to pull her arm with his right.

"Maddie? You're okay now, I'm here. Let's get you into the Hummer and I'll take you to get your head looked at." He gave another tug and she fell into him.

Madelyn's mind was swimming. She turned her head in an attempt to absorb the scene, but it was taking a moment for her brain and eyes to catch up and focus. The only thing she was clear on at the moment, was that the wrong arms were holding her aggressively and she wished to escape.

"No. Harry."

"I said you're okay! This isn't the time for hysterics; just get in the SUV." Winding his arm the rest of the way around her midsection, Jack began moving them toward his vehicle, half dragging her along at his left side, his right hand outstretched, palm up, as if to halt Harry's approach.

"Let go of her, Jack! I'm not going to say it again."

Moving as swiftly as he was able through the snow, Harry shoved his phone into his jacket pocket. The white powder on the shoulder of the road sucked at his boots, slowing his progress. When Jack turned to his raised voice, he angled Madelyn's body. Harry sucked brisk, night air into his lungs when he saw the blood streaking from her hairline, down to her jaw. Quickly, he registered that if she had hit her head hard enough to cause a laceration, it was possible she had a concussion or a neck injury.

Decreasing the speed of his approach, Harry lowered his voice and spoke as calmly as he could.

"Jack, she's hurt her head, there could be damage we can't see. We need to keep her still and get some help up here. I'm going to call for an ambulance," Harry said as he reached into his pocket for his cell phone.

"No! She doesn't need that." Jostling her along, Jack continued wading through the white drift. "She just needs to come with me. I can get her to the hospital faster in the Hummer."

"I know you think you're helping, Jack, but we are halfway to the top of the road to the ski resort; the car went off the road just after the third switchback and the ice is treacherous. We need an ambulance and probably the police. Madelyn's head is bleeding, you're moving her too much. Come on, man, let's work together. We want to keep her safe, right?"

"You need to stay back, Styles. Maddie is coming with me!"

"Good, you remembered my name. You can call me Harry, though. Maybe we got off on the wrong foot earlier, but we're on the same side now, right, Jack?"

Harry was close now, just a few more feet and he would reach them. He made eye contact with Madelyn, shaking his head gently, in hopes that she would understand and cease her struggles. Taking his hand out of his pocket, Harry held his arms low and wide, continuing to move cautiously, at a gradual pace.

"I'm no threat, Jack. I only want to help. You were smart to leave the lights on when you pulled over on the side of the road. They're so bright we can see just where her car skidded off. My Jeep is right behind where you parked."

"Harry, I don't feel well," Madelyn was hardly on her feet as Jack continued to drag her along.

"It's going to be alright, Madelyn, hold on. Jack, if she feels sick, she probably has head trauma. You need to stop shaking her. Why don't you just lay her down for a minute, yeah?"

"She can lay down in the SUV. Why are you here anyway?"

"That's a great question, Jack. See, Madelyn was supposed to call me when she got home, but she didn't and I was worried, so I followed her up the mountain. How did you end up right behind her? That was pretty lucky, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, it was lucky. I... I was coming up to see some friends that might be selling their house. I'm thinking about investing in some residential property."

Jack had stopped. Harry knew he was pausing to pull together what was undoubtedly a lie. Madelyn looked as if she was either going to vomit or pass out. Quietly, he took the final steps to reach her side.

"Really, that's amazing luck, Jack, that you happened to be following her when she went off the road. I mean, what are the odds? Did you happen to see what caused the accident?"

Harry did not touch her, but he was close enough now that if she started to go down, he could stop the fall.

"Rocks, there were some bigger rocks on the road and the ice. She insists on that stupid little car. I told her I would get her something better, four-wheel drive, but she fought me. Maddie always fights me; she's damn stubborn."

They heard the sirens before they saw the red, blue and white flashing lights. It was a fire engine that came around the corner first, maneuvering onto the shoulder of the road just ahead of where the three of them stood. The lights created a pulsing effect and drowned out the stars.

Shocked by the sudden chaos, Jack released Madelyn. Harry deftly stepped forward, pulling her tightly against his body. Slowly retreating, he hoped the other man would not notice before they were out of reach.

Following closely behind the fire truck was a police cruiser and an ambulance. Rescuers in uniform descended upon the trio. Jack's feet stayed rooted in place as he rotated his torso, arms flapping somewhat awkwardly, while he tried to make sense of the scene that was unfolding.

"Which one of you is Harry?" barked the cop. He was broad and imposing with a hand on the butt of the gun that rested in his holster.

"I'm Harry Styles, officer." He had Madelyn well clear of Jack now; her body folded into his protectively.

"And you are Jack?" The officer's hand tightened slightly on the gun.

Jack nodded in the affirmative. "I am. My wife needs help."

The paramedics had successfully made their way to Madelyn and were helping her onto a backboard and securing a brace around her neck.

"Ex-wife," Harry shouted and began to rise from his crouched position at Madelyn's side.

"Don't leave me, Harry."

Feeling her hand clutch at his sleeve, he reversed his movements. Harry watched as Jack was led over to the police car. Words were exchanged with the officer before Jack was assisted into the rear seat of the cruiser.

As Madelyn was loaded into the ambulance, they were joined by the policeman.

"Are you arresting him?" Harry was a bit surprised.

"No, but I've stressed the importance of his cooperation and he's agreed to come down to the station. Dispatch ran your name when the call came in and it tied to a recent complaint that included the names, Jack and Madelyn. They were putting two and two together as we were en route. It gives us enough to question him."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I don't know exactly what happened here, but you were pretty damn clever to dial 911 and leave the line open. Sounds like this Jack guy was wound tight, but you kept him calm and talking. You gave us all the information we needed to find you and get rescue up here. I radioed for an accident investigator. If I can get your license real quick, I'll take your contact info, then you can head to the hospital with the lady. I'll have another officer meet you in the emergency room. We'll need the two of you to answer a few questions tonight, but the bulk of them can probably wait until tomorrow."

Harry handed over his driver's license. He felt some of the adrenaline leaving his system as the officer passed it back. He climbed into the ambulance behind Madelyn and the paramedics. For the moment, Harry needed to stay by her side. But once she was in the clear, he would be asking some questions of his own, starting with why did her brakes fail and how was it that Jack had far too conveniently been right behind her when she went off the road.

***

Author's Note:

A lot has been happening over the past few weeks. DELIVERY was chosen as an Editor's Pick and featured on the Wattpad After Dark app. It was also chosen to be featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine. Both of these honors came as a complete and thrilling surprise!

Thanks to all of you for continuing to express your support for me and for this story. You really keep me going! If you're enjoying the ride, leave a vote and drop some comments.

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