Chapter 239: Saved

He pointed toward a side entrance.

"Teams One and Two, surround the building. No one gets out."

Officers spread into position.

Alex stepped out of his vehicle before anyone could stop him.

Thomas grabbed his arm. "Boss. You should wait a bit please."

Alex looked at him.

"Let us clear it first."

Alex nodded reluctantly. "Bring him back."

At that exact moment, Zenith returned toward the warehouse. He had barely rounded the corner when he noticed people around the area from a distance.

His footsteps stopped.

Several armed officers were rushing toward the building. His expression changed instantly.

"They found us… Gaddamn it, how?”

He looked toward the warehouse.

Then toward the approaching vehicles. For one brief second, he considered running inside for Lucas.

But instinct took over. If he stayed, he'd be arrested. His jaw tightened beneath the red mask.

"No..."

He backed away into the shadows.

Silently, carefully, and watching.

"Move!"

The tactical team burst through the warehouse doors.

"Police! Don't move!"

The building echoed with shouting.

Officers searched every corner.

Every room. Every staircase.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

Then a voice shouted, "He's here!"

Alex didn't wait anymore. He pushed past the officers and ran toward the voice.

Inside a small room, Lucas sat tied to the chair. His face was pale. His clothes were wrinkled. His wrists were bruised. But he was alive.

"Lucas!" Alex dropped to his knees in front of him. His hands shook violently as he untied the ropes.

"I'm here, baby."

Lucas stared at him for a second.

Then tears filled his eyes.

"Alex..."

The ropes fell away.

Alex pulled him into a fierce embrace. He held him so tightly it almost hurt. "I've got you. baby."

His voice broke.

"I've got you."

Lucas buried his face against Alex's shoulder. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Neither wanted to let go.

Finally, Lucas whispered,

"I remember."

Alex froze.

Slowly, he pulled back.

"What?"

Lucas's eyes were filled with certainty. "It was Zenith."

Alex stared at him.

"He kidnapped me. I remembered his voice. He kept calling me 'Luc.'"

Another memory surfaced.

Lucas's expression darkened. "It was him all along."

Alex closed his eyes briefly. The confirmation was everything they needed.

Thomas entered moments later.

"The building is secure."

He looked around, but Zenith isn't here."

Alex frowned.

"What?"

Thomas nodded grimly. "I think he escaped before we arrived."

Outside, officers searched the surrounding area. Vehicles sped down nearby roads.

Drones lifted into the evening sky.

But Zenith had vanished. Hidden among the maze of abandoned factories and narrow back roads.

Miles away, Zenith pulled off his red mask and threw it into a river before disappearing into the crowded streets.

His breathing was uneven. His carefully planned future had collapsed. But one thought kept him calm. They saved Lucas…

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

This isn't over, Luc. You may have escaped today, but I'll find you again.

And with that, Zenith disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind nothing but another mystery for Alex and his team to unravel.

Alex held Lucas tightly for several long moments, as though letting go would mean losing him all over again. His fingers gently combed through Lucas's hair. He closed his eyes, breathing in the familiar scent he had feared he'd never smell again.

Finally, he pulled back just enough to cup Lucas's face. A trembling smile appeared on his lips.

"Let's go home, baby."

Lucas nodded weakly. "Okay..."

Alex slipped an arm around his waist and helped him to his feet.

The moment Lucas stood, the world spun violently. His vision blurred. His knees buckled beneath him.

"Lucas!"

Before he could hit the ground, Alex caught him. Lucas blinked several times, trying to steady himself.

"I'm... okay."

Alex shook his head firmly. "No, baby, you're not."

Without another word, he bent down and lifted Lucas effortlessly into his arms.

Lucas instinctively wrapped an arm around Alex's neck. Resting his head against Alex's shoulder. Then he whispered, "I've missed this."

Alex's eyes stung with tears.

"So have I."

Holding him securely in a bridal carry, Alex walked out of the warehouse.

Outside, every officer and member of the security team stepped aside to make way for them. No one spoke.

Watching Alex carry Lucas as though he were the most precious thing in the world was enough to silence everyone.

Thomas smiled with relief. Jason quietly wiped at his eyes before pretending to cough. Even the hardened officers couldn't help smiling.

Lucas was finally safe.

Alex carefully settled him into the back seat of the SUV before climbing in beside him.

The moment the door closed, Lucas leaned against him without thinking. His eyes were already beginning to close from exhaustion.

In a soft voice, he murmured,

"Please..."

Alex looked down at him.

"Take me to your house."

Alex kissed his forehead tenderly.

"Okay, baby. You're coming home with me."

Before the driver could pull away, Alex's phone rang. The caller was his

Mom. He answered immediately.

"Mom."

"Alex!" Sally's anxious voice came through. "Did you find him?"

Alex looked down at Lucas, who was clinging to his hand even in his exhausted state. A smile mixed with tears spread across his face.

"Yes, Mom,’ his voice broke. "We found him. We found my baby.” Tears of joy dropped from Alex’s eyes as he held him even closer to him.

On the other end of the line, Sally let out a shaky sob of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness. I hope he is not hurt?”

“Yes Mom, he is exhausted but he will be fine.

She sniffled before speaking again.

"Bring him home, Alex."

Alex smiled.

"I've already planned to take him home."

"No." Her voice became firm. "I mean our home."

Alex blinked. "Mom..."

"I don't care whether he's still legally married or not." Her words were filled with fierce determination.

"That boy has suffered enough."

She paused, her own voice trembling. "He needs people who genuinely love him."

Another tear rolled down Alex's cheek.

"So my son, bring him to the Benson family house. I want to see him. I want to let him know that this will never happen again. I want to make sure he's really safe."

Alex looked at Lucas again.

Lucas had fallen asleep against his shoulder, his breathing finally calm and peaceful.

Alex gently brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead. Then he smiled. "Okay, Mom. We're coming home."

“What about that psycho that took him?”

“He escaped, we didn't see him.”

“Oh my good god, they should find him before he does worse.”

After ending the call, Alex rested his forehead against Lucas's. In a whisper only Lucas could hear, he said, "No one is taking you away from me again."

The SUV slowly pulled away from the warehouse.

Alex picked up his phone and called their family doctor.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Lucas wasn't being driven toward danger.

He was finally being driven home where people that genuinely love him were waiting.

The instant they entered Benson’s home. Everyone welcomed him happily.  Alex picked him up again and took him to his room, then the doctor was ushered in to check him.

Then Alex’s phone buzzed, it was Dan.

Alex stepped out to answer.

“Yes Dan, is he captured?”

“No boss but Baddie is asking that people be sent to three different  hotels that he normally stayed in with Zenith. Then his apartment too. He believed since his plan flopped, he might call him, that is if he is not suspecting him.”

“Go on and do that, tell everyone to be at alert.”