The search for paradise

Chapter 9

Bella's point of view:

"Did you call him?" I asked, as Scade walked over to me, his expression grim.
"We're meeting him in the warehouses by the old fields. The one next to the lamppost I'll be in, ready to give him the money. The one with the unused chimney you'll be in, so he can pick you up."
"Aren't the warehouses on the other side of the river?"
"Yes, we'll have to steal a boat."
"Is that a hobby of yours, stealing? Cars, boats, money...rich girls."
He glared at me and then gestured for him to follow me. "Come on. I want to be there before dark."
I nodded relentlessly and followed him into the dock.
"There's no one here," he sighed with relief when he got there. "Great. Come on, help me lift this one."
"We  can't, it's tied to the rack. We'll have to get one in the water," I explained tiredly. He stared at me with frustration.
"Could you stop acting like you're the kidnapper?" he muttered.
"Could you stop acting so stupid?"
His eyes narrowed so I shut up. I trailed behind him as he walked to the dock.
"There's no boats, they're either all in the harbor or on the river," Scade groaned. "Wait, look. There's two fellas over there, we can just knock em off before they get too deep."
"What?" I asked in horror.
"You heard me. Come on." He followed the boat and jumped in, pulling me in behind him.
"What's going on?" one of the men asked in shock.
"Nothing. Our boat has been stolen, so we wondered if we could ride along with you," Scade lied effortlessly, smiling innocently.
"Oh, okay," the man smiled, reassured, however the other man still looked suspicious.
"This is my sister, Lily," Scade continued, enjoying the lies. "And I'm Elliot."
I glared at him. He shut up.
"Orlando, turn on the radio," the suspicious man asked. Orlando nodded and pressed the button. He turned the volume up and fiddled with the small knob until the signal was fixed.
'Bella Greengrass is still missing, her family sending out pleas for the kidnapper to return her home.' The stupid radio. I looked at Scade horrified. "Could we change the channel-" I started indiscreetly.
'We are now offering out a reward of £50000 for whoever happens to find this girl. She has brown curly hair, usually tied in a ponytail-' I pulled my ponytail out quickly as Scade motioned. '-And was known to be wearing black skinny jeans and a checked red, blue and white shirt." Scade shoved his jacket over my jeans. The two fishermen looked at each other in doubt, disbelief and then triumph. Before they were knocked out of the boat by Scade.
"See you around, fishers," he called after the swearing men with glee. "No one is getting that £50000 but me! ME ME ME!" He smirked and picked up the radio, starting to go a little too far. "And you can take your crappy radio with you!"
I had to push him out of the way and stuff his jacket in his face to shut him up. "You are unbelievable," I mutter as he chortles with glee.