Balfour unflinching demeanor indeed threw the kidnappers for a loop.
After all, the fate of both him and the young girl beside him was firmly in their grasp; they had no reason to fear Balfour.
The leader of the gang, known to the others simply as Boss, sported a terrifying scar slashing across his face. He toyed with a sharp switchblade, tapping it provocatively against Balfourâs cheek and sneered, âI doubt youâd dare pull any stunts with us watching, huh? Whereâs the card? Which pocket?
Hand over the cash, and maybe weâll cut you loose.â
Victoria shivered beside him, feeling the kidnappers closing in. She longed to edge closer to Balfour for comfort. Though Balfourâs blindfold had been removed, she was deemed inconsequential, and thus, ignored.
Her subtle attempts to squirm closer angered the Boss, who struck her across the face, sending her crashing to the ground.
âWhat do you think youâre doing, you little tramp? Canât keep still under my watch? Be careful, or Iâll drag you out and put a bullet in your head! Damn, I hate whiny brats â all tears and no sense. You think this is some kind of playdate?â
A gaunt man, eager with ill intent, sidled up and licked his lips. âBoss, if youâre sick of this dame, why not let us take her for a bit of fun?â
Balfour hadnât expected such vile thoughts from them. His face paled with urgency. âI can give you money. My grandfather can prepare a hefty sum. But our safety is paramount. You canât touch this girl.â
Victoria, floored by the manâs blow, didnât dare make a sound, whimpering softly, fearing that any louder cries would incite the gangâs wrath.
The other thugs bristled at Balfourâs words. âHey, who do you think you are? Youâre not the high and mighty Mr. Howard now. Youâre our hostage, as easy to snuff out as an ant! Donât get cocky with us, or youâll learn the hard way.â
Yet, as they spoke, they didnât dare lay a hand on Victoria, all glancing at the Boss and his reaction.
Clearly, his word was law in this gang. Balfour took note of the power dynamic.
The Boss chuckled lowly instead of getting angry. âI didnât expect you young folks to get into relationships so early. Arenât you rich kids playing around just like we did back in the day? Tell me, have you ever done anything over the line?â
He leaned in close to Balfour, draping an arm over his shoulder. Balfour felt a wave of revulsion, the stench nearly overwhelming, but he kept his face impassive.
âWe havenât done anything,â he said coolly.
The Boss seemed intrigued, ignoring his menâs pressing questions about how to deal with Victoria.
âDonât let this kidâs smooth talk fool you, Boss. This chickâs no use to us. Might as well let us have our fun,â one of the men pressed.
Balfourâs heart raced. He was bound hand and foot, powerless to protect Victoria. The thought of her being violated in front of him by these thugs was unbearable.
The repeated urging was beginning to visibly annoy the Boss, who turned and shot a lethal glare at the impatient man.