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.

wealthy, treated their servants and bodyguards well. They were respectful, never stinting on pay or resorting to verbal or emotional abuse. There was no discontent or grudges. And according to the

separately, Evan and his officers found no suspicious characters. They could only wait for the

left, Shane sat on the sofa, his face

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

choked with tears. "What

anger. "What to do?

blood. You can't

can I do about it? Should we all just starve

"If it comes to it, you

Shane growled, popping blood pressure pills. "Evan's visit today was respect enough. You expect him

police were short-handed, barely managing to maintain order in the city. Pulling troops away could leave the city open to marauders, and

knots, "Are we to stand by and let

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

an uproar. 10,000 pounds of grain could sustain

the news, but bounty hunters caught wind and began to mobilize, forming teams to register

of the hunters' wits and skills to his eldest son and

had just gotten off her shift when Kitty's

out? That

"Yeah, what's up?"

job that might interest you, want

"What

looted a bunch of supplies.

plenty of supplies stashed in

small group fed and living high on the hog for a while. But with just the four of them,

her on board, Jasper would likely join too. Six heads were better

the bold, and Kitty and her group, lacking a safety net, were right to take a chance. Stella and Jasper were different; they weren't short

on your own, or did Cody