Chapter 17 - The Final Standoff**
Before the pastor could dial the phone, the heavy wooden doors of the church were kicked open with a loud bang.
Senator Richard Reed stepped into the sanctuary, flanked by three armed men in dark suits.
Samantha walked in behind her father, her dark hair tangled from the rain, her eyes glowing with unhinged malice.
"Give us the child, Ethan, and we let you walk out of these woods alive," Senator Reed declared coldly.
The old pastor stepped forward, holding his wooden cross high. "This is a house of God, Senator!"
One of the armed guards shoved the old pastor back into the pews, causing Maya to scream in terror.
Ethan stood up slowly, stepping in front of Maya as his hands clenched into tight fists once again.
"You've run out of land to buy, Richard," Ethan said, his voice echoing off the vaulted wooden ceiling.
Samantha pulled a small silver hand-gun from her trench coat pocket, pointing it directly at Ethan's chest.
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"I built this entire plan for four years, Ethan!" Samantha shrieked. "I won't let a useless father ruin my legacy!"
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