Caught In His Embrace: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 423

Chapter 423

Exhausted, Josiah stumbled as he stepped out of the narrow wooden hut, nearly tripping over the threshold.

"Mr. Evans." A bodyguard swiftly reached out to steady Josiah, eyes scanning his pallid, grim face with concern. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine..." Josiah shook his head, then suddenly turned to the bodyguards

flanking him. "Why are you all standing here? Go find him."

"Mr. Evans, we have to protect you," one bodyguard said.

"Do I need it?" Josiah asked angrily, his gaze filled with sarcasm.

"Get out there and find Conner."

"Mr. Evans..." The bodyguards were hesitant.

"Go now," Josiah instructed.

"Yes, sir." The bodyguards exchanged glances but ultimately obeyed Josiah's orders, swiftly scattering in all directions.

After shouting himself hoarse, Josiah felt a sharp pain throbbing in his temples. He raised a hand to rub his temple, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.

The mountain had no streetlights, and the recent rain had left the paths muddy and treacherous. The longer they delayed, the worse things would get.

One more person searching meant one more ray of hope. Josiah gripped his flashlight tightly and plunged into the search himself.

The sounds of voices faded into the distance, and only the steady beam of his flashlight illuminated the path ahead. Josiah glanced at his phone from time to time, afraid of missing any incoming calls or messages.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Josiah's feet gave way! He thought, 'Damn it!' By the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late. His center of gravity plummeted, and his entire body plunged downward in free fall.

"Ethan, help," Josiah's pupils shrank as he shouted.

However, the descent was too rapid. Josiah's cry was swallowed by the abyss along with him.

"Ugh." As his body tumbled down, scraping against jagged rocks, Josiah gritted his teeth and let out a muffled groan. His flashlight had long been lost. He was now engulfed in an endless void.

of Josiah's heart. He wondered, 'Is this it for me?' "Ah," Josiah screamed. Before terror could fully take hold,

was excruciating, enough to make him momentarily shut his eyes,

realized his pants were torn. His palm came away slick with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp,

a breath, rubbing his hand against his clothes to rid himself of the sticky dampness. He then reached into

have been flung away when I fell. Perhaps it's nearby?' All that remained in Josiah's pocket was a lighter. He pulled it out and

fallen off a cliff, but no cliff was this shallow. The place looked more like

lighter higher, its dim glow barely penetrating the darkness ahead. There was no end in sight. He wondered, What kind of place is this? Wait!' Just as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again. That dark shadow earlier resembled a person. Josiah

deep mountain, could it be... Conner?' His throat tightened. A wave of emotion surged through him as he struggled to his feet. "Agh! It

left leg, a sharp, blinding agony shot through Josiah, making him

teeth, Josiah forced himself to endure it, shoving the pain aside as he rushed toward the shadowy figure on

he reached out and

was still

hit him, a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Thank God!"

help Conner up and

wasn't looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and

could stay here and wait for Ethan to bring reinforcements, but

can't sit

next?' Josiah struck the lighter and continued to survey his surroundings. The tunnel stretched endlessly ahead, an eerie Wind rushing toward them. He had his suspicions-this must be some kind of underground passage. And

was impossible. Their only option was

and tossed it onto the ground where he had fallen earlier. If Ethan and his men arrived and saw it, they

onto his back. "Ugh." Josiah winced, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee nearly buckled beneath him. He barely managed to

have been a grown man, but it normally wouldn't have been a problem for Josiah to carry

now. Every step sent a

his breathing until he finally steadied himself. Then,

Josiah walked, he talked to Conner, hoping to

you've got guts, you know that? Tania tied you up here

were still thinking of escaping, of going back to save

to do with

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

Panic crept into

voice. "Conner, show some

are you hurt You finally

you can't collapse now. Joyce is waiting for you to save her life You have to hold

around them, picking