Chapter 232: Terrified

A long, disturbing sound came through as Lucas groaned tiredly.

“Please, is he okay, did he need a doctor?”

"You sound terrified." The voice chuckled.

"I am terrified. Did he take anything bad? Is he really okay, please." Alex didn't even try to hide his fears. His eyes filled with tears.

"Please, he's innocent."

Another laughter sounded.

"Yeah, he looks innocent. I didn't give him anything anyway and I don't think he needs a doctor."

The man sounded entertained. "You know from when I knew him, he used to be innocent but not anymore because you've certainly taught him how to dance." The man said and laughed loudly.

“Luc, I'm sure you can dance very well but I just promise not to touch you.”

Alex felt physically sick. Every second Lucas spent with this man felt unbearable.

Then suddenly, a noise came through the phone. A violent coughing sound. Followed by retching.

The room froze, and Alex's heart raced.

"Lucas?"

No answer, only more coughing.

Then the kidnapper groaned dramatically.

"Oh no."

Another sound of vomiting echoed faintly through the call.

"Oh, come on, buddy.” The man's voice sounded annoyed now.

"You've been doing that for almost thirty minutes."

Alex's entire body shook.

"Lucas! Are you okay?" He stepped forward instinctively, as though somehow he could reach him.

The caller ignored him.

Another cough sounded.

Then silence.

The kidnapper sighed. "Well."

His tone returned to casual. "Looks like our precious Lucas isn't feeling very well."

Alex's breathing became uneven.

"What did you do to him?"

The man laughed. "I'll call you back."

"Wait!"

"Get the money ready."

The room listened in horror.

"And don't try anything stupid. Don't bother tracing the number because you can't get the location."

Alex closed his eyes. Every muscle in his body was trembling.

"Please..."

The word escaped as a whisper.

The kidnapper's voice lowered.

Almost cheerful. "Talk later, my sweet Alex."

Then the line went dead.

Silence consumed the room.

Nobody spoke or moved.

Alex slowly lowered the phone.

His face had gone completely pale.

All he could hear was the sound of Lucas coughing. The sound of him being sick. The fear in those brief seconds.

Alex's legs finally gave out. He dropped into the nearest chair and buried his face in his shaking hands.

For the second time that day, a terrifying thought crossed his mind.

What if they were already too late?

Then Thomas went closer to him.

"Boss we can't trace that call’s destination, but I think the person might be working with James."

“What?” Alex’s family echoed.

Alex’s head snapped up as more fear gripped him. “Why did you say that?”

The registered name is the same Hunter James used.

“What nonsense is that James is in prison. Hunter is James.”

“What if he is not Hunter?”

“Call the prison to confirm if James and his accomplice are there.”

They called and confirmed that they were in prison.

“Gaddamn it, who the heck is Hunter, if not James?”

No one could answer that.

Then Dan spoke. “Boss, the black vehicle with the same plate number was parked in Mount park avenue.

Guys were on their way to check it out.”

The silence that followed next was  suffocating.

Alex sat motionless in his chair. The terror in knowing Lucas was somewhere out there with a man capable of hurting him.

Around the room, technicians and security personnel worked frantically.

Traffic cameras, vehicle databases, phone records. Anything that could produce a lead.

Then suddenly, Thomas shot to his feet. The sharp movement that startled everyone.

"What is it?" Caleb asked immediately.

All eyes turned toward him. Thomas stared at the monitor. His expression had completely changed.

"Thomas?" Alex demanded. "What happened?"

Thomas looked up slowly. His face had gone pale. "The vehicle." The room became silent.

"What about it?" Jason asked.

Thomas swallowed, "We found the registration."

Alex stood instantly. "Whose is it?"

Another pause. Then…."The black vehicle is registered under Zenith's name."

The room exploded.

"What?"

"No way."

"You're kidding."

Jason was the first to recover.

"Which Zenith?"

Thomas looked at him. "The same Zenith we all know."

He turned the system showing then his picture.

Everyone stood in surprise. The words landed like a bomb.

Alex swallowed hard. His heartbeat thundered inside his chest. For several seconds he simply stared.

Unable to process what he'd heard.

"No. It can't be. Zenith might be crazy but he likes Lucas. He can't go this crazy.”

“How could you be so sure? Are you his best friend? What if he has grudges against you?”

His voice came out barely above a whisper. Oh my god, he is a snake and can't be trusted.” Alex said at last.

Are you sure there was no confusion in the numbers?”

Thomas nodded.

"I'm sure."

Alex shook his head. “This can't be happening.”

Thomas turned the monitor toward him. The registration details filled the screen.

Vehicle information, the ownership records. Everything pointed to no other person but Zenith.

Thomas met Alex's gaze.

Then bursted with a bitter laugh. “If it was really Zenith, then he would regret ever knowing me.”

The room fell silent once again.

Then Alex remembered the restroom incident. His strange behavior towards Lucas. Then how obsessed he had always been towards him.

The unsettling comments he uttered sometimes.

Suddenly, pieces that had never seemed important before began fitting together.

“He knew Lucas lost his memory, he tried to confuse him the other day claiming they were lovers.

Jason cursed under his breath.

Caleb looked horrified..Annie covered her mouth. Alex felt a wave of rage unlike anything he had experienced in years. His hands curled into fists.

"Zenith." The name came out like a threat.

Thomas nodded grimly. "It makes sense."

Alex's jaw tightened.

Every image from the CCTV footage flashed through his mind.

The masked man’s height was exactly Zenith’s, the body weight was exactly Zenith’s.

Then he recalled Lucas’s struggle.

Lucas being dragged away. Then the kidnappers call. The sickening comments. The possessive tone, even though his voice was different.

Everything pointed to Zenith for now. The realization made Alex want to destroy something.

Instead, he forced himself to stay focused. Anger wouldn't bring Lucas back. Action would.

He turned sharply toward his security team. "Dan, send people to his apartment now. They should be very careful and should sneak in if possible.”

The room immediately sprang into motion. Four men grabbed their bags and rushed toward the door.

Alex wasn't finished. "I want every property connected to him checked."

"Yes, sir."

"Every booked vehicle, ticket or flight."

"Yes, sir."

"Every known associate."

"Understood."

Within seconds, orders were being relayed throughout the building. There were incoming and outgoing calls. The twenty million also were being arranged.

The hunt had officially begun. As the men worked, Alex stared at the monitor one last time.

At Zenith's name and face. The registration details, and the evidence sitting right in front of him.

A dangerous calm settled over him.

The panic was still there. The fear remained, but beneath it now burned something else…Rage. Then cold and relentless focus.

He looked toward the door through which the search teams had just disappeared. Then he whispered,

"Hold on, Lucas." His voice was low but steady, and determined.

"I'm coming for you."

And for the first time since the kidnapping, Alex finally had a target.

That instant Derby called.

Alex picked up, “Hello.”

“Alex, have you heard from him? Is he okay? Her worried voice came.

“Yes, I believe he is okay, and we have a suspect through the phone call. His name is Hunter but we had no idea what he looks like.”

“Did you say Hunter?” Her heart skipped