"I was in my apartment when I heard someone in the house. You'd texted me that you were at the hospital, so I knew it wasn't you. When I looked out the window, I saw a man leaving with a box in his hands. I had a bad feeling. So, I jumped on my bike, and I followed him here. I confronted him in the parking lot and took him down. The box he'd been carrying had photos of you and your sister inside. I called you, and your phone was in his pocket. That was the worst moment of my life," he said, his eyes burning as he looked at me. "I called the police next. They told me to wait outside the church. But then I heard shots, and I knew there was no time to wait. I grabbed the guy's gun, and you know the rest."

"We're so lucky you were home," I said. "I told Max that I had found the jewels and they were hidden in a box in the closet. I wanted to buy us some time."

"What jewels?"

"The ones that were stolen from Holden's house. My mom had at least some of them. But my strategy wouldn't have worked if you hadn't been there. Max knew there was a problem when his partner didn't come back. He was going to kill Dani and me."

"But he didn't," Kade reminded me.

His words helped stem the shaking fear running through my body. We were all still alive. And as sirens rang out, followed by shouts and footsteps, I finally believed it was over, and we were safe.

Within minutes, the storage room was filled with police, followed by EMTs, and eventually Inspector Greenman made his way in.

Rachel was stabilized and whisked away to the hospital, along with Max and the man who had been working for him. Dani and I were finally released from our cuffs, and we immediately reached for each other. After a long hug of gratitude and love, we broke apart. I gave Inspector Greenman a statement and then the paramedics took us to another ambulance for a trip to the hospital to get checked out.

Kade stayed behind to continue his discussion with the inspector.

As Dani and I sat together in the ambulance, she slid her hand into mine and our eyes met. That connection took away the last of my fear.

"We survived," I said.

"Because of Kade. I'm sorry I ever doubted him."

"He's a good guy."

"He seems that way." Dani gazed at me through exhausted, bloodshot eyes that still held the terror we'd been through. "I thought we were going to die, Brynn. You put yourself in front of a bullet for me more than once. How could you do that?" she asked in wonder.

"How could I not?" I countered. "You're my sister."

"I didn't put myself in front of you." Guilt ran through her eyes.