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.

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

was excruciating, enough to make him momentarily shut his eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached down, pressing a hand to his

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

against his clothes to rid himself of the sticky dampness. He then reached into his pocket, looking for his phone. He needed to check his wound and contact Ethan to save

thought, 'It must 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 struck the flint. A flickering flame sprang to life, casting faint illumination over

he had fallen off a cliff, but no cliff was this shallow. The place looked

raised the 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

a person. In this deep mountain, could it be... Conner?' His throat tightened. A wave of emotion surged through him as he struggled to his

leg, a sharp, blinding agony

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

he reached out and flipped the person

He was still wearing

called, his voice hoarse with urgency. As the realization hit him, a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Thank God!" He had found

out to help Conner up and patted his face. "Wake up.

no response. It wasn't looking good. Conner had been given

stay here and wait for Ethan

can't sit

Conner's arm around his shoulder, and helped him to his feet. He wondered, 'But what 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.

was impossible. Their only option was to

had fallen earlier. If Ethan and his men arrived and saw it,

Josiah winced, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee nearly buckled beneath him.

been a problem for Josiah to carry him.

of Josiah's left leg now. Every step sent a sharp pang of pain through

steadied himself. Then, he took a step,

Josiah walked, he talked to

you up here

save Joyce,

to do with Josiah, Joyce was

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

Panic crept

voice. "Conner, show some

are you

you to save her life You have to hold

picking up force. And