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.

sliver of fear coiled in the depths of Josiah's heart. He wondered, 'Is this it for me?' "Ah,"

The pain was excruciating, enough to make him momentarily shut his eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He reached

away slick with something warm and wet-blood. The sharp,

breath, rubbing his hand 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

was nowhere to be found. "Tsk." 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

no cliff was this shallow. The place looked more

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 directed its glow toward the murky silhouette after

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

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

forced himself to endure it, shoving the pain aside as he rushed

he reached out

were tightly shut. He was still wearing a hospital gown under

up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Thank God!" He had found Conner.

out to help Conner up and patted his face.

was no response. It wasn't looking good. Conner had been given sedatives, and then

there's no guarantee that Conner is faring any better. I could stay here and wait for Ethan to bring reinforcements, but what about Conner? Can he

I can't sit

struck the lighter and continued to survey his surroundings. The tunnel

turning back was impossible. Their

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

escaping his lips as his knee nearly buckled beneath him.

a grown man, but it normally wouldn't have been a

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

finally steadied himself. Then,

he talked to Conner, hoping to

tied you up here to stop you from

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

do with Josiah,

However, Conner remained unresponsive.

crept into

voice. "Conner, show some

Where are you hurt You finally managed to

now. Joyce is waiting for you to save

around them, picking up force.