Apocalypse Queen: My Space, My Rules Chapter 93: The Ransom

She had the ten bodyguards draw lots for the rotation order, locking in a five-day cycle.

Today's shift went to Number Three and Number Eight.

Mariella privately messaged Kieran to confirm the schedule for Townhouse 98's patrol slot: 6 p.m. to midnight.

She had Matthew issue two headlamp-style waterproof mining lights and two full canteens, then sent the gear along with the outgoing pair.

The team noticed their boss had everything organized to the last detail. She knew exactly what weapons and equipment were needed for combat, as if she'd done this a thousand times before.

It added one more thing to what they already knew about her: sharp reflexes, quick mind, excellent aim, and now command instincts that felt like they came from a lifetime of battle experience.

...

Kieran messaged Mariella privately, "Terrence brought back the three sets of noise-dampening equipment you included. Already installed one. Works beautifully. Thanks."

"Don't mention it. That was your commission." Mariella was very clear about business. She was never stingy with due benefits.

Naturally, Kieran pushed further. "Right after we installed the dampeners, the homeowners picking up their generators saw them. Now, they all want to know where I got them. Can you supply more?"

Mariella checked her inventory in her head. "One pound of gold per set."

"I'll take a hundred!" Kieran didn't bother pretending. Cards on the table. "And I want 10 for myself."

"Done." Between what she had in storage and the 200 sets Chandler had purchased, she had plenty.

Kieran still wasn't finished. "The homeowners who missed out on generators are desperate. They'll pay more. Can you source another 100 units?"

Mariella blinked. He really was treating her like a warehouse.

"Sixty is the max. Three deliveries. Price goes up to four point four pounds of gold per unit."

Kieran didn't negotiate. "Consider it done. So, when should I send Terrence to pick up, babe?"

Babe?

Mariella shuddered. Who was his babe?

She made a face. Were they that close?

She pretended she hadn't seen his new nickname for her and replied, "Tomorrow."

"One more thing, babe." Kieran clearly didn't want the conversation to end. "The neighborhood is putting up a wire-fence perimeter to keep the crocs out. Property management is asking every household to donate at least 300 feet of chain-link fencing. I'll cover your share, too."

"Great!" Mariella was getting annoyed by his constant use of "babe," so she decided to charge a little interest.

Kieran had only been making a polite offer. He hadn't expected her to accept.

After a beat, he wrote, "Babe, I really do love how direct you are. You treat me like family."

She didn't bother replying.

...

Mariella handed all trade logistics over to Matthew. He had the keys to every storeroom and maintained the full inventory ledger.

Matthew was meticulous and reliable, and his character had been tested in her past lifetime. She trusted him absolutely.

She pulled Matthew and Number One aside for a few final instructions. "I might be gone three to five days. Don't worry about me. Just hold the house."

With everything arranged, she and Chandler took an inflatable boat and headed out.

Chandler drove. Mariella pulled Kingston's phone and the severed thumb out of her storage space.

She used the thumb to unlock Kingston's phone, found Connor's number, and sent a text, "Your son is in my hands. If you want him alive, bring me a mid-sized yacht. Otherwise, in five days, you can collect his body."

When Connor received the text, the entire Shepherd household erupted.

Good news: they finally had word on Kingston. Bad news: he'd been kidnapped, and the ransom was a mid-sized yacht.

Flooding was everywhere. Watercraft prices were astronomical, and supply was nonexistent. Without serious connections, no amount of money could buy one.

On the open market, even a basic inflatable boat was going for four point four pounds of gold. A yacht was something only the privileged class could touch.

Right now, if you sold the entire Shepherd family estate, it still wouldn't buy a mid-sized yacht.

"Who kidnapped Kingston? Wasn't the hitman supposed to deal with Mariella? Why is he holding Kingston instead?" Roxanna was panicking. She turned to Harvey, who happened to be visiting.

Harvey was confused, irritated, and deeply suspicious. "That hitman went dark a long time ago. I think Mariella may have already..." He stopped himself.

"If the hitman is dead, then who has Kingston?" Roxanna's breath caught as the thought hit her. "It's Mariella. It has to be."