My heart almost stops when I see Brooke sitting on a chair, tied up and facing me. She had a cut on her head that bled a lot. She widens her eyes when she sees me coming in with a bag in my hands. Next to her, Leila was standing, pointing a gun at Brooke's head.
- Quiet bitch! - says Leila, when Brooke starts squirming and slaps his head in the face...
Rosno staring coldly at Laila, who is not intimidated and only laughs.
- Leave her alone!
- You're in no position to negotiate, remember? - she says, the gun towards me. - Did you bring what I asked for?
I breathe trying to stay calm. I look up discreetly and see Casey pull his gun and nod. Maise had not yet entered the scene and I needed to distract Leila. If everything turned out the way we agreed, it would be over in 20 minutes or less.
- Here it is! - I say pointing the bag.
- Oh, great! Bring it to me!
- You know, you're a great actress! - I mean, walking slowly. - You fooled me right, and my father, too.
- Don't get me wrong! It was nothing personal. I just don't like being poor. - she says laughing.
- I loved you! - I say with a voice of regret. - I could have given the world if you asked.
- I know that! - says she comes up to me and runs her hand through my chest. - There's still time to change my mind. I'll let the girl go and you'll shoot me.
Leila smiles, lowering her gun and ties my neck. She's getting her lips closer to mine, without taking her eyes off me. When you're about to kiss me, I see Maise appear behind the altar.
- Even if the world ended today and there were only the two of us left! - I say between my teeth and the push. - The only person I love is sitting right there and I intend to take her with me, so release Brooke now!
Laughing, she takes a few steps back and forth next to Brooke again.
- Then I hope you guys will mould in hell together! - she says, pointing the gun at me.
Brooke gets a kick out of it, but before Leila does anything, Maise gives a prison voice.
- Freeze! - he shouts. - Hands on your head and drop the gun!
Leila was scared of the gun in her hand, threatening to pull the trigger. A shot echoes, hitting Leila's hand, causing her to scream in pain, dropping the gun on the ground. Leila still tries to take the gun again, but another shot, this time coming from Maise's gun, hits her leg, causing her to fall to the ground crying.
- Miss Donovan! You're under arrest for kidnapping and attempted murder. - Maise says approaching and handcuffing Leila. - You have the right to remain silent, although in your case it will not do much good. If you need it, you could have the dumbest lawyer being provided by the state.
Casey comes over, puts his gun in his holster and grabs his cell phone.
- This is Officer Willians! - she says. - I need two ambulances to Churchill Hill.
I run towards Brooke and take off his gag.
- Are you all right? - I ask, kissing Brooke.
- I think so! - she says, still stunned. - My head hurts.
I untie her and automatically, Brooke throws himself into my arms and starts crying. I hug her, holding her head against my shoulder.
- I don't know what I'd do if I lost you! - I whisper, passing my hand on Brooke's face to dry his tears.
She sighs, kisses me, and then hugs my neck.
- I panicked when I woke up in church and Leila talked to you on the phone.
- Shii! - I whisper, kissing your hair. - Stay calm! It's over!
Holding Brooke in my lap, I carry her out, while Maise carried Leila. I'll put her on a stretcher and a paramedic will start the first aid procedure. He immobilizes Brooke to transport her into the ambulance. I take this opportunity to call my mother and everyone involved and tell her that we were going to the hospital.
- Ryder? - Brooke calls when we're already in the ambulance. - Where's the bag with the money?
- I left it inside the church! - I answer with a smile.
- Two million dollars? - she asks, amazed.
- No. That was just paper. Only the top was printed to look like money. - I say laughing. - It was Casey's idea. The whole plan was actually her and Maise's idea.
Brooke lets out a laugh.
- They make a great pair! - she says, shaking her head.
I smile settling down and I look at her with affection. Sigh, giving Brooke an Eskimo kiss.
- Ryder, I need to tell you something.
