Chapter 172

Evelyn barely escaped the abandoned warehouse, stumbling through the wilderness without her phone. Her captors must have discarded it when they took her.

The night was ink-black, thick clouds smothering any trace of moonlight. Direction became impossible to discern. Evelyn searched desperately for shelter to wait out the night until dawn could guide her back.

This barren landscape offered worse refuge than any jungle. At least a jungle would have caves. Here, only thorny brambles clawed at her legs - not even a single tree for cover.

Cold raindrops began pelting her skin. With nowhere to hide, she could only endure the downpour.

Then - footsteps. Crunching through underbrush. A flashlight beam cutting erratic patterns through the darkness. Only her kidnappers would be searching these wilds.

Evelyn froze, holding her breath as she ducked behind a dense thicket.

The steps grew louder. Closer. Suddenly, a tall figure stood barely three feet away, his blinding flashlight beam sweeping directly over her hiding spot.

"Come out." The command sliced through the rain, sharp as a blade.

Realizing she'd been discovered, Evelyn grabbed a handful of wet earth. She lunged from the bushes, flinging mud at the man's face to blind him momentarily.

Against an armed opponent, this was her only chance to flee.

But he moved like lightning. Sidestepping the attack, his hand clamped around her wrist like a steel trap.

As Evelyn twisted to strike with her free hand-

"It's me." That voice. Deep. Steady. Unmistakable.

Close enough now to recognize, the familiar timbre sent shockwaves through her.

Then - warmth. Strong arms enveloped her as Nathaniel pulled her against his chest. One broad hand cradled the back of her head, fingers threading through rain-soaked hair. "Easy now. You're safe."

Evelyn's rigid muscles unlocked all at once. "Sir, how did you-"

"Are you hurt?"

Nathaniel's usual composure had fractured. Tension vibrated through his words as he pushed her to arm's length, scanning every inch under the flashlight's glow. His piercing gaze missed nothing.

She shook her head, rainwater dripping from her lashes. This made no sense. Hadn't he told her kidnappers to do their worst? Hadn't he slammed down the phone without negotiating?

The rain intensified.

Finding no visible injuries, Nathaniel exhaled sharply. He shrugged out of his coat, draping it over Evelyn's shoulders like a shield against the storm. "Forgive my delay," he murmured, voice rough.

Evelyn studied him silently. This tenderness felt foreign. Unfamiliar.

Yet delay? Impossible. Less than thirty minutes had passed since that threatening call. Even speeding from the city would take two hours.

How had he reached her so quickly?

"Sir!"

Lucas sprinted toward them, umbrella snapping open to shelter Nathaniel. Relief washed over his face at seeing Evelyn. "Thank God you found her! Miss Whitmore, are you injured?"

Evelyn gave a small shake of her head. "I'm unharmed."