Chapter 389: A Night in the Pit

Chapter 389: A Night in the Pit
Sophie's POV

Adam's arms wrapped around me in the darkness of the coffin, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold wood pressing against my back.

"Adam," I whispered, my voice hoarse from the gag they'd forced into my mouth earlier. "You need to be careful. This place is dangerous."

"If we're discovered tonight, we could die," I said bluntly. "This village doesn't follow any laws. They don't value human life at all."

I expected him to suggest we escape immediately, to formulate some elaborate plan. Instead, he simply tightened his hold on me and said without hesitation, "Then I'll stay with you."

The simplicity of his response made my heart ache. This was the Adam I'd fallen for—the man beneath all the layers of coldness and calculation.

"We should get out of this coffin," he suggested after a moment.

I tried to move but winced. "I can't. They drugged me with something."

Without another word, Adam carefully maneuvered himself out of the coffin first, then reached back to lift me into his arms.

Adam looked around, clearly trying to find somewhere clean to set me down, but the entire place was damp and filthy.

"I'm covered in dirt anyway," I said, feeling suddenly self-conscious in his arms. "The ground isn't any worse than I am right now. You can put me down."

Adam shook his head. "It's cold down here. We should stay close for warmth. That way we're less likely to get sick."

The night air was chilly, and I was wearing only the thin black dress I'd put on for dinner—a backless number that now seemed woefully inadequate for a night spent in an open grave.

Adam settled himself against the least muddy section of the pit wall and arranged me carefully in his lap, his arms encircling me protectively. I could feel him frowning as his fingers brushed against my bare back.

"I should have brought a jacket," he muttered.

"Are you angry with me?" I asked quietly. "For coming here alone? For getting into trouble?"

His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. "No. I should have been more careful. I knew something was wrong with this place from the beginning." He paused, his fingers gently stroking my arm. "I just wish... next time you decide to do something dangerous, take me with you."

The sincerity in his voice made my throat tight. This man, who had everything in the world, wanted nothing more than to face danger by my side.

"Adam," I said, gathering my courage, "I like you a lot. And I like who you are now even more."

I felt him go very still, his breathing shallow. Encouraged, I continued.

"My dream for work is to become an excellent reporter. My dream for life is to stay with you and Alayna forever."

His arms tightened around me. "Forever?" His voice held an edge of tension. "So you won't leave?"

I understood his fear. Everyone he'd ever loved had abandoned him in some way.

"I'll go to remote areas for work sometimes," I admitted. "But no matter where I go, I'll always come back to you. And when you're not busy with work, you could come with me."

I felt rather than saw his smile as he pressed his face into my hair. Something in the atmosphere between us shifted—as though a dark cloud had finally lifted. I realized that for all his wealth and power, Adam Foster had been starving for love his entire life. And somehow, against all odds, my love was bringing him back to life.

We stayed like that for what seemed like hours, talking quietly about nothing and everything, finding comfort in each other's presence despite our surroundings. Eventually, the pitch-black sky began to lighten almost imperceptibly. Dawn was approaching.

"What time do you think it is?" I whispered.

Adam shifted slightly, trying to check his phone. "Battery's dead," he muttered. "But from the light, I'd guess around six. Rex should be here soon."

I bit my lip. "Should we try to call for help? Alert someone in the village?"

"No," Adam said firmly. "I don't want to risk them moving you somewhere else or hurting you. Rex knows where we are. He and the others will be here soon."

As he spoke, I noticed beads of sweat on his forehead despite the cool air. Concerned, I pressed my palm against his cheek.

"Adam, you're burning up!" I exclaimed, immediately filled with worry. "You have a fever."

He shrugged dismissively. "It's not that bad."

"This is my fault," I said, guilt washing over me. "You spent the night in this cold, damp pit because of me."

"Actually," he said with a faint smile, "having a fever is convenient. It keeps you warm."

I frowned at his attempt to make light of the situation. "Don't joke about this. You get sick easily."

Adam looked at me with surprising seriousness. "I'm not as weak as you think, Sophie. My immune system was compromised when I was a child because of... what happened to me. But I'm stronger now." He paused, then added, "And I promise I'll work out more often, if that makes you feel better."

His earnest promise to exercise more for my sake was so unexpectedly sweet that I almost laughed. But before I could respond, we heard the crunch of footsteps above us.

My body tensed instantly. Adam's arms tightened around me, and in one fluid motion, he lifted me and carried me back to the coffin. I slid in first, and he quickly followed, pulling the lid mostly closed above us, leaving just enough space for us to breathe and see out.

"Hello down there!" a gruff voice called. "You dead yet? Make a sound if you're still alive."

I froze, my mind racing. If I didn't answer, they might think I'd died and come down to check. If I did answer, they might decide to "visit" me. Neither option seemed good.

Making a split-second decision, I put on my most frightened voice. "Let me out of here!" I called, making sure to sound weak and terrified.

"Still alive, eh?" The man sounded bored. "Good. Bodhi wants you alive for later." I heard him spit, then mutter, "Fucking waste of my morning, checking on this city bitch."

His footsteps retreated, and I let out the breath I'd been holding. Adam's body was rigid beside me, his jaw clenched tight. I knew he was fighting every instinct to burst out of the coffin and attack the man.

"Are you okay?" I whispered once I was sure the man was gone. "I know you hate dark, enclosed spaces."

In response, Adam's hand found mine in the darkness, his fingers intertwining with mine. "I don't mind the dark when you're with me," he said softly.