18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 304

"The kidnappers knew that Bran loved a good thrill, but getting him to impulsively leave the safety of their suburban enclave was no easy feat. That's why they set their sights on Bentley. They were betting on Bentley's reckless love over his sense of self-preservation. "It might seem like they were always at each other's throats, but the bond between these cousins was solid as oak. That's why Bran, worried about Bentley's safety, let his sense of loyalty get the better of him and agreed to a midnight joyride outside the gates." What could Stella say? When the the silly rich kid hell-bent on digging his own grave, not even angels could stop him. "Evan's on the case; he'll figure out there's a rat in the Porras family soon enough."

Jasper nodded in agreement. "It's not a tough puzzle for Evan, but unless the kidnappers make their next move, rooting out the mole won't be easy."

The fact that the kidnapping happened a year into the eternal night made it clear that the perpetrators were neither impulsive nor unprepared.

Anyone bold enough to cross the Porras family was no ordinary thug. Just the fact that Bentley had been beaten to a pulp, his arm broken, was a testament to their ruthlessness.

This was not just an act of violence; it was a warning to the Porras family: comply, or Bran would die.

Stella wondered aloud, "Shane's called the cops, but will he pay the ransom?"

Jasper couldn't be sure. After all, Shane was a cunning fox in the business world. Besides, these were the end times. A demand for 10,000 pounds of grain and 5,000 pounds of meat was one thing, but 50 guns and the entire stock of medicine? Even if they paid up, what were the chances of getting his son back?

They couldn't gamble the lives of dozens in the Porras household for one reckless son. A tiger without its teeth was just a big cat, after all.

Stella mused, "I feel like Shane won't act rashly, but he might struggle with it, trying to ease his conscience."

Setting aside his natural business instincts, Shane had other family members to consider. It seemed Bran's chances were slim.

That was just how it was in these perilous times-if you didn't have the strength, death was your only ending.

"Jasper, if I ever get kidnapped, just take care of Rosie and Cooper. Don't come after me."

"Don't talk nonsense," Jasper said, cutting her off.

Their speculation was correct; for a seasoned cop like Evan, sniffing out a mole in the Porras household wasn't tough.

pay or resorting to verbal or emotional abuse. There was no discontent or grudges. And according to

separately, Evan and his officers found no suspicious characters. They

police left, Shane sat on the sofa, his face ashen, silent

other family members. The older and younger sons said nothing, but their wives'

with

ached with anger. "What to do? Let the

flesh and blood. You can't

I do about it? Should we all just starve to

you must pressure the

the Porras family run the police station?" Shane growled, popping blood pressure pills. "Evan's visit today was respect enough. You

open to marauders, and who would bear that responsibility? Not to mention, the foolish boy had brought this on himself. Even if Evan agreed, the officials

was in knots, "Are we to stand by and

in his study, finally coming to a decision-a bounty. For whoever could

pounds of grain

noncommittal upon hearing the news, but bounty hunters caught wind and began to mobilize, forming

the assessment of the hunters' wits and

off her shift when Kitty's voice came through the walkie-talkie, "Stella,

reaching out? That was a

"Yeah, what's up?"

a job that might interest you,

"What kind of

on patrol, I tracked some thugs who'd looted a bunch of supplies. Followed

there were plenty of supplies stashed in that cave, all plundered in

while. But with just the four of them, both in capability and firepower, they were outmatched. That

likely join

safety net, were right to take a chance. Stella and Jasper were different; they weren't short

you come to me on your own, or did Cody