The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 172

Jocelyn opened her mouth to speak, but she suddenly felt a comforting warmth press against the back of her hand.

Julian's hand was resting lightly on hers. He gave her a barely perceptible nod.

That silent gesture carried an overwhelming sense of security, and Jocelyn's racing heart slowly began to calm down.

Julian's fingers moved rapidly across his phone screen for a few seconds. Then, he casually slipped the phone down into the dark crevice between the leather seats.

The car abruptly pulled off the road, coming to a dead stop beneath a massive, deserted overpass.

The wind howled through the empty concrete pillars.

The second the engine cut off, seven or eight men stepped out of the shadows, surrounding the vehicle.

Judging by the weapons in their hands, they had every intention of making sure whoever was in this car left in a body bag.

Jocelyn instinctively placed a hand over her stomach. She couldn't deny she was terrified.

It wasn't that she was afraid of dying.

She was terrified of losing the baby.

This tiny life hadn't been growing inside her for very long, but the biological connection was already undeniable. Jocelyn couldn't bear the thought of losing it.

She had even picked out names.

If it was a boy, Jace.

If it was a girl, Sienna.

The driver turned around, a vicious, triumphant smirk plastered across his face.

"Alright, you two. Out of the car."

Julian didn't look remotely intimidated. In fact, he was so calm it actually unsettled the driver.

"Tough break for you, buddy," the driver sneered. "We only came for the bitch, but since you decided to tag along, you get to die with her."

Julian's dark eyes narrowed slightly.

"Are you working for the Lowells, or the Prestons?"

The driver blinked, clearly thrown off by the question.

"What the hell are you talking about? Shut up and hand over your phones!"

Julian glanced at Jocelyn.

Jocelyn quietly handed her phone to the man.

Julian looked the driver dead in the eye.

"I think my phone slipped out of my pocket when I was getting in. You're welcome to search the car if you don't believe me."

The driver was in too much of a hurry to waste time arguing.

"Get out!"

With that, the driver opened his door and stepped out into the cold.

Julian turned to Jocelyn, his voice incredibly soft.

"Leave her in the car," Julian said coldly. "It's freezing out here."

"You piece of—"

The driver never got to finish the sentence.

Julian's fist collided with his jaw in a brutal, blinding flash of violence.

Julian slammed the car door shut, locking Jocelyn safely inside the heated cabin.

Outside, it was pure carnage.

Jocelyn had absolutely no idea that Julian Vance, the polished, aristocratic CEO, was capable of this level of violence.

Seven armed men swarmed him, and not a single one managed to land a hit.

Instead, they were being systematically dismantled.

Julian was incredibly fast and utterly merciless. Every single strike was a calculated, devastating blow to a vulnerable joint or nerve cluster. If he hadn't been actively holding back, he would have killed them.

Jocelyn watched in awe. The man who usually carried himself with the grace of royalty was currently fighting like a highly trained assassin.

Her racing heart finally began to slow down.

Until she saw a shadow creeping up behind Julian.

A man had managed to get around the chaotic brawl, a six-inch hunting knife gleaming maliciously in the moonlight.

Jocelyn didn't hesitate for a fraction of a second. She threw the door open and launched herself out of the car.