Ice and Fire novel Chapter 230

Derek's words stunned Jackson because he hadn't thought of that before.

Bobby stood quietly to the side listening as he tried to follow his two bosses' logic on this case.

"Jackson, as far as I know, Jean left the city five years ago, about the same time Cherry ran away from you. All your concentration was focused on finding Cherry, and you couldn't spare any attention to Jean, but, I didn't keep a watchful eye on her either. I had just received information from my people that Jean had been ransomed by someone and left the city, and I didn't take it seriously at that time, " Derek explained as he reanalyzed the details of the case logically. "As I thought it over, I suddenly realized it couldn't have been an ordinary person if they were able to help Jean leave that place, but...."

Derek stopped talking.

"Go ahead, continue!" Jackson ordered.

"It's okay if the person who helped Jean leave was just a wealthy person. It's just that I'm concerned now that…" Derek continued staring into Jackson's eyes as he went on, "Well, she may have become associated with the people involved in the things that happened that year."

Bobby couldn't help but look to Jackson as Derek finished his words. The memories of the conflict between those families were so fierce, so horrible that it had become a nightmare that was burned into his mind.

Jackson shook his head, "That's not possible. I don't see how she would have been able to get in touch with those people."

Derek thought for a moment and nodded, dropping the subject.

Jackson was worried, too though. Derek's theory seemed plausible, but, at the same time deep down, he knew things could be more complicated. Jean probably had no chance to contact those persons, but that didn't mean they couldn't have found her. They might have taken advantage of her. Until now, he knew nothing of their plan and wasn't able to consider what they were up to, or what would happen next.

Suddenly, Jackson leaped to his feet, issuing orders to Bobby, "I want you to go and find out who have helped Jean get out of there!"

Bobby nodded immediately as a reply, while he thought to himself, 'It seems I have known who that person is."

Derek stood and continued talking to Jackson as he followed him, "Jackson, things are getting very complicated. It might have been the best option for Cherry and Joe if they hadn't come back."

Jackson stood still lost in thought, 'Derek is right. Cherry and Joe shouldn't have come back. If they stayed abroad, I would have missed them very much, but they would have been safe and would not face the potential of being hurt. Things are out of control, and I don't know how to protect them from the risks now. I don't even know who my enemies are. Or what they are preparing to do either.'

"First things first, let's find out who helped Jean leave, " Jackson's voice was cold and gloomy. He needed to find out who was behind assisting Jean and then he would be sure of whether or not Jean posed a threat to him.

Derek nodded in agreement with Jackson's logic, "Yes, let's confirm her role till now."

Bobby took in what the two were saying, and asked uncertainly, "Mr. Jackson, should I send bodyguards to your wife and son for protection?"

Before Jackson could respond, Derek snapped, "Don't do that."

After uttering those words, Derek turned to Jackson and said, "You shouldn't do that. You know how sensitive Cherry is. If she finds out strangers are around her, she might be uneasy."

Jackson let Derek's words sink in as he mulled it over, 'Derek is right. How could I not know how Cherry would react? She is always so sensitive and alert. I shouldn't send people to protect her until I find out what exactly is going on. Jean won't try anything in such a short span of time. She should be knowledgeable of my power and influence in this city, so I doubt she would act recklessly.'

Jackson hid all his emotions as he turned to Bobby and whispered, "Listen to Derek. Try to find out who that person is as soon as possible and tell me once you know."

"Sir, yes Sir!" Bobby nodded, acknowledging his orders.

It was already early morning when Jackson returned home. As he entered the bedroom he saw Cherry sleeping soundly, so he quietly slipped into the bed next to her, and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

Cherry stirred when she smelled the unique scent of Jackson and sleepily murmured, "Jackson?" as she rolled over to see him.

Jackson's voice was low as he breathed the single word, "Yes." before covering Cherry's pouty lips with his in a lingering kiss.

Cherry was woken by the alarm sounding a few hours later. She rubbed her sleepy eyes as she opened them slowly to discover Jackson sleeping next to her.

She wriggled closer to him, lovingly whispering in his ear, "Darling, I'm going to wake our son, you sleep a little longer."

"Stay here with me for a little longer, " Jackson didn't open his eyes as he muttered lowly and clung tightly to Cherry.

"No. Joe will be late for school if I don't get up and wake him now, " Cherry argued, struggling to break the grip of his arms. Cherry knew Jackson well and how to deal with his overbearing ways. She whispered tenderly in his ear, "Honey, please sleep a little longer. I have to wake Joe up now. Okay?"

Hearing her tender, soft voice in his ear, Jackson let her go even though he didn't want to.

Cherry got up and headed to Joe's bedroom. After she woke him, she followed him, making sure he brushed his teeth and washed his face.

When they finished, they went downstairs only to find Jackson already sitting in the living room. She said, "Joe, go have your breakfast first."

"Okay mommy, " Joe said as he walked to the kitchen alone.

Cherry sat down on the couch beside Jackson, "Why didn't you sleep a little longer? Aren't you sleepy still?"

"I couldn't fall back asleep after you left, so I got up, " Jackson looked at Cherry dotingly. He couldn't sleep sound or well without her next to him.

Cherry held his arm and said tenderly, "Okay, then let's have breakfast together."

"Okay, " Jackson agreed, nodding his head.