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

him momentarily shut his eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached down, pressing a hand to his left

His palm came away slick with something warm and wet-blood.

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

With a frown, he clicked his tongue in frustration. He 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

a cliff, but no cliff was this shallow.

place is this? Wait!' Just as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again. That dark shadow earlier resembled a person. Josiah directed its glow toward the murky silhouette after flicking the lighter off,

Conner?' His throat tightened. A wave of emotion surged through him

from the wound on his left leg, a sharp, blinding agony shot through Josiah, making him see

pain aside as he rushed toward the shadowy figure on the

reached out and flipped the person

still wearing a hospital gown

realization hit him, a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill

blinked, forcing back his tears. He reached out to help Conner up and patted

looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and then he had

stay here and wait for Ethan to bring reinforcements, but what about Conner?

can't

deep breath, put 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

in tow, turning back was impossible. Their

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

muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee nearly buckled beneath

normally wouldn't have been a problem for Josiah to carry him.

now. Every step sent a sharp pang

finally steadied himself. Then,

to Conner, hoping to wake

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

even in your state, you were still thinking of escaping, of going back to save Joyce, weren't you? Right..." Josiah trailed

with Josiah, Joyce

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

Panic crept into

voice. "Conner, show some

are you hurt You finally managed to

waiting for you to save

around them, picking up force.