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“Saving your ass,” Dalton growled. He knelt by his friend, trying to see what he could use as a lever to help elevate the concrete off of Max. “If I lift it up slightly, will you be able to slide from underneath it?”
“I don’t have a choice.” Max’s face turned up in a grimace.
Dalton stood up and bent down, trying to get a good grip on the concrete. The building groaned and shook again. They had to hurry and get out of there or it would come crashing down with them in it.
“When I count to three,” Dalton announced. His eyes met Max’s gaze, whose head tilted slightly. “One. Two. Three.”
Dalton used all of his strength to pull the slab up in the air. It was cumbersome, but it shifted just enough so Max was able to push himself free.
Dalton released the massive slab and let it fall to the floor.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Dalton said. He bent down and tried to help Max up, but his leg was done in. “I’m going to have to carry you.”
“Like hell you are,” Max snapped.
“This is not the time, Max.” Dalton helped Max up and lifted him over his shoulder.
Thank goodness they had practiced this move a thousand times.
He trudged through the rubble, keeping a close eye on the fire scorching everything. It seemed like forever, but he finally made it out the way he’d come into the building.
Anton and Knox rushed toward him.
“Get a medic. He’s injured,” Dalton barked.
Anton helped lower Max down. Dalton tore his face mask off and tried to breathe in profoundly, but the smoke around them was too strong. He ended up falling into a coughing fit.
“Medic!” Knox shouted. He ran away and waved down one of the EMT crew.
“I got you, buddy,” Dalton said, holding Max steady. His throat was scratchy, and his eyes were burning from the smoke.
“What you did was stupid,” Max muttered.
“As if you wouldn’t do the same for me,” Dalton scoffed.
“Yeah, I would have.” Max grimaced. “But I would have rescued you with more style and flair.”
Dalton bit back a laugh. His friend would be fine.
Knox and the medics arrived with a stretcher. They hoisted Max onto the cart. They used the belts to secure Max down before they started moving.
“Knox, keep an eye on everything,” Dalton shouted over his shoulder, walking alongside Max as the medics rushed him toward the ambulance.
“Yes, sir,” Knox responded.
“I don’t need to go back to the hospital. Just let me rest for a few minutes—”
“You’re going. That’s an order,” Dalton said.
They arrived at the ambulance.
“I’m fine.” Max groaned.
“Feel free to sedate him if you need to,” Dalton suggested to the medics.
“Yes, sir. We know how stubborn you firemen can be. I won’t have no problem knocking this one out.” The EMT with a thick beard grinned.
“You’re the man.” Dalton pointed to him.
“We’ll take good care of him,” the other medic, who was clean-shaven, said.
“Appreciate it.” He gave them a nod and turned back to chaos. He blew out a deep breath and walked over to join his crew.
