Balfour always knew, the guiltier one feels, the louder one becomes.
These kidnappers were all desperate characters. While Balfour's currently in a disadvantaged position, there were always vulnerabilities to exploit in such a group.
Especially the Boss, who seemed to have a soft spot for his bygone days of youth—a target for exploitation if there ever was one.
Not to mention, the whole gang seemed petrified of the Boss. He was probably the mastermind behind every heist and the commander on the field. It was likely that he had blood on his hands.
Of course, these were just Balfour’s hunches. If he could avoid a head-on clash with them, he’d prefer it.
But knowing that they were desperadoes meant that even after getting the money, they might not stick to the original deal and let them go.
Balfour’s brow furrowed subtly, the slap on his face was the least of his worries.
His concern was for the aftermath, especially since he had Victoria by his side.
From the moment they were kidnapped together, he never once thought of escaping alone.
He could only hope that Dean wouldn't take the kidnappers' demands seriously; relying on the police was the only way to go.
It was only when the Boss stepped out to rummage through his backpack that Balfour managed to sit upright, using his core strength.
“Victoria, are you okay?” he whispered.
Victoria’s heart sank even further. “You said it yourself that they're vicious. How can we expect them to just let us go after getting the money? Our hands and feet are tied; there’s no escape. I just want to go home! If only I knew, I wouldn't have fought with my sister last night.”
She collapsed, crying again, and Balfour felt helpless. He wanted to tell Victoria not to be afraid or worry, but he knew how hard it was to stay calm in such a situation. Any reassurance seemed empty when he was bound and powerless.
Maybe once Victoria calmed down, things would seem a bit better. At least the kidnappers weren’t around now. Let her cry if she needed to.
Outside, the kidnappers rudely slashed Balfour’s backpack to shreds, spilling its contents which included his student ID and some cards.
“Boss, check this out, this kid’s got the looks—his ID photo could pass for a celebrity shot,” jeered the skinny one, who had previously crossed the Boss, as he presented the cards.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Kiss that Sparked it All