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.

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

him momentarily shut his

His palm came away slick with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp, metallic scent of

against his clothes to rid himself of the sticky dampness. He then reached into his pocket, looking for his phone. He

it's nearby?' All that remained in

a cliff, but no cliff was

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 Just as Josiah's hand had withdrawn, he moved back again.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 directed its glow

mountain, could it be... Conner?' His throat tightened. A

pain flared up from the wound on his left leg, a

shoving the pain aside as

reached out and flipped

shut. He was still wearing a hospital

in his eyes, threatening

Josiah blinked, forcing back his tears. He reached out to help Conner up and patted his face. "Wake up. Can you hear me,

Conner's eyes remained shut. There was no response. It wasn't looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and then he had

faring any better. I could stay here and wait for Ethan to bring reinforcements, but what about Conner? Can

I can't

his mind. He took a 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 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 if there

tow, turning back was impossible. Their only option was to move

setting off, Josiah shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto the ground where he had fallen earlier. If Ethan and his men arrived and saw it,

onto his back. "Ugh." Josiah winced, a muffled groan escaping his lips as his knee nearly

been

left leg now. Every step sent a sharp pang

finally steadied himself. Then, he took

talked to Conner, hoping to wake

that? Tania tied you up here to stop

you were still thinking of escaping, of going back to save Joyce, weren't you? Right..."

though Conner saving Joyce had nothing to do with Josiah, Joyce was his

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

Panic crept

voice. "Conner, show some

something. Where are you hurt You finally managed

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

picking up force. And