Chapter 248


    Chapter 248 We Have a Long Future Ahead of Us


    He froze for a second, then let go quickly, his eyes full of worry. “What’s wrong? Are you hurting


    somewhere?”


    I looked at him, all these feelings welling up, and shook my head. “No, it’s just… you were squeezing


    me too tight, that’s all.”


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    His voice was rough when he finally spoke, hesitating before he said, “Sorry.”


    His behavior was unusual and not at all characteristic, and it threw me off.


    I looked away, taking in the mountains and trees around us. The only thing different was the scorched


    ck trees where the fire had been put out.


    I scanned the area, trying to spot the ck car that had been my prison; however, it was like it had


    vanished into thin air.


    Idris caught me searching and asked, “Looking for something?”


    “Where are we? How did you even find me?” I had been sure I was a goner.


    He still looked pretty shaken as he told me, “We’re still up in the mountains. Charles woke up and


    called me after you were taken. We called the cops, and it was a stroke of luck they had a ck van,


    so it was easy to spot. We tracked it to the base of the mountain, then saw the fire and came running.


    The vehicle blew up, but thank goodness… you were safe.”


    His voice cracked a little on hisst words. I knew this whole mess had hit him hard.


    As I gazed at him, I could not resist reaching out to gently touch the patch of hair on his forehead that


    had been scorched away. I knew without a doubt that he had gotten that bald spot while saving me.


    Expressing feelings was not exactly my forte, but I managed to say, “Looks like you might have to


    shave off all your hair.”


    He caught my hand and gave me a reassuring smile, “No worries. I’m good–looking. I can totally rock


    the bald look.”


    His joke cracked me up, and I burst intoughter, though I felt a twinge in my nose and my heart melted


    a bit. We had all the time in the world ahead of us.


    After the ordeal, Idris whisked me off to the hospital to make sure I had not endured any other injuries.


    The doctors gave me a clean bill of health, except for my lungs, which had taken in a lot of smoke and


    needed some recovery. Lying in the hospital bed, I was convinced I did not need to be there. Despite


    my protests, Idris would not budge, and I ended up giving in.


    Once he had talked me into staying for observation, there was a knock at the door, Idris called out,


    “Come in,” In walked Ensio, as stern as ever. He nced at me and nodded, then turned to Idris, silent


    but clearly with something on his mind.


    Idris got the hint and asked him straight up, “What’s up? Just say it.” Ensio nodded. “Mr. Young, we


    have gotten the report from the scene. The car did not just catch fire–it was torched on purpose. It


    appears they tried to spread the fire to the woods, probably hoping to trap you in the ze.“,


    Idris’s expression turned stormy, and he was quiet for a moment. When he finally spoke, his


    Chapter 248 We Have a Long Future Ahead of Us


    voice was steady and calm. “Any leads on who did it?” Ensio gave a nod but hesitated, stealing a


    nce my way. Idris caught the cue and stood up, ready to step outside for a private word.


    I clutched at Idris’s pants, looking up at him with wide eyes. “I was this close to being a goner. The least


    you can do is tell me who’s got it out for me. You don’t have to keep secrets. Can you do that?”


    Idris hesitated for a heartbeat before sinking back into his chair, giving a small nod.


    He turned to Ensio andmanded, “Let’s hear it.”


    v were a


    Ensio, a man of few words, got straight to the point. “The ones who snatched thedy bunch of lowlifes


    from the west side tracks. They were driving a ck van. The cops say these guys were ex–cons, fresh


    out of the mmer for a botched heist a couple of years back. They’re back in custody now.”


    I scrunched my brows together. “Ex–cons? I don’t have any beef with them. Why would they be


    gunning for me?”


    Ensio nodded, his voice steady as he delivered the bombshell. “The cops just cracked them. Turns out


    they were paid hitmen. Someone promised them two hundred grand each for your head, with another


    two hundred grand each after the job was done.”


    Idris, who had been quiet, now frowned deeply. “And the mastermind?”


    Ensio shook his head, his tone unchanging. “They never met the boss. They just got orders. over the


    phone. However, the cops traced the money trail back to Mr. Zanier’s right–hand man.


    Π


    “Jack?” I was taken aback. He was thest person I suspected.