No Strings Attached novel (Clara and Ian)
Chapter 247

He clutched her wrist, the one that wielded the remote control, like a modern-day scepter.

As they tumbled down the slope, lan twisted with all his might, snapping Victoria's wrist. She screamed in agony, the remote slipping from her grasp. Their descent accelerated, and soon they vanished from view.

A deafening explosion echoed from below.

Clara, sprawled at the cliff's edge, roared into the abyss, "lan!" Only echoes answered her call, accompanied by the rising plumes of thick smoke.

Clara's fingers clawed into the earth, nails splitting, bleeding, unaware as the pain inside dwarfed any physical wound. She lay there, boneless, lan's name a litany on her lips, tears tracing unnoticed paths down her cheeks.

Dawson approached, his voice a soothing balm, "Attorney Clara, our teams are on their way down. I have faith Mr. Hayes is going to make it."

Despite her anguish, Clara knew the grim reality better than anyone. Ian had rolled down with Victoria in his arms. The violent impact triggered Victoria's explosives. The slope was steep, so their separation in the rapid tumble down was unlikely.

As dusk fell, the chill of the mountaintop bit through the fog that began to cloak the land, hindering the search efforts.

Clara stood at the base, her body chilled, gaze empty. Suddenly, a jacket draped over her shoulders. Ryker's deep voice reached her ears. "Clara, please wait in the car. I've brought my squad. They'll find lan.' Her cracked lips parted, her voice a hoarse whisper, "Ryker, he can't be dead."

Seeing her swollen, tearful eyes, Ryker's heart clenched. He gave her a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, he's tougher than nails. He won't go down without a fight."

Then, he and his team plunged into the wilderness.

Searchlights, like fireflies, drifted through the foggy valley. The underbrush made the search arduous.

Hours later, Clara's phone rang. It was Ryker, "Clara, we found parts of Victoria's... remains. No sign of lan, which means he likely separated from her during the fall. He's alive, I'm sure of it. I'll bring him back to you."

Hope flickered in Clara's vacant eyes. She wiped away her tears swiftly. "Ryker, be careful."

"I will. Now, do as I say and wait in the car. Ian wouldn't forgive me if he came back to find you worse for wear."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

After hanging up, Clara felt a glimmer of hope. Ryker scrutinized lan's possible descent path. To break away from Victoria, lan would've needed something to halt his fall. With this in mind, Ryker moved toward a midway ledge.

As he searched, something suddenly ensnared his ankle. As he was about to shake it off, he looked down to see a bloodied hand.

Ryker crouched quickly, shining his light on the figure. Under the harsh glare, a familiar face emerged. His heart sank. He slapped lan's cheek a few times. "lan, you still with us?"

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