Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

In Palm Bay, Dylan curled up in bed, clutching the shirt in his arms. It used to help him fall asleep, but tonight, it was useless. He lay there, wide awake, until the sky began to lighten.

A soft knock sounded at the door as morning broke. The housekeeper's voice floated in, gentle but insistent.

"Sir, you really need to eat something."

Three days he hadn't touched a bite in three days. What if he passed out?

The housekeeper didn't really know what had happened between him and Clara. All she could do was mention Clara, hoping it would get through to him.

"Mrs. Bennett still worries about you. She always remembers your allergies. When she's home, she waits up for you every night, and she asks about you all the time when you'll be back, if you're okay. Even if you argued, you shouldn't punish yourself like this. She'd be heartbroken."

Dylan kept his eyes shut, his face blank.

Heartbroken? Yeah, right.

She'd probably be relieved if he just disappeared.

A dull ache tugged at his chest. He pulled the shirt tighter, like maybe it could hold him together.

By noon, his room was still dark. A man stepped inside, standing quietly at the edge of the bed.

"Mrs. Bennett's brother just went to the villa."

Dylan dropped his gaze, his face pale. He didn't say a word.

When the man saw he wasn't going to answer, he just nodded and left quietly.

Only when the room was empty did Dylan slowly push himself up. The veins in his hands stood out as he struggled to steady himself.

He reached for the bedside drawer, but his hand slipped and the whole thing slid open with a clatter.

His fingers, white-knuckled, grabbed a pill bottle. He shook out a dozen pills, but the storm inside him only got worse.

Something in him felt like it was waking up-something wild and angry.

He doubled over, coughing hard.

Aiden heard the noise from the hallway and started to come in, but Dylan's voice cut him off.

"Don't come in."

Aiden froze, not daring to move.noveldrama

*

Ryan waited in front of the villa for what felt like forever, but no one showed up.

Clara said this guy was always home. Wasn't he?

He pulled out his phone and tried calling, but his earlier calls had all gone straight to voicemail.

This time, someone picked up. The voice on the other end was rough and tired. "What do you want?"

Ryan's frustration boiled over. Did this guy even care about Clara? She'd been missing for days, and he hadn't lifted a finger to look for her. Maybe he was just scared of Dylan and didn't want to get involved. Coward.

How could Clara be with someone like this?

He took a steadying breath, but his voice came out stiff. "I'll send you the address. Clara wants you there.

Congrats, I guess-you'll get

spend the next year together. Have fun."

His words dripped with sarcasm, and he almost said more:

I know you're the one who told me about Clara's real family. You don't want anyone else close to her not even me, her so-called brother. If you ever hurt her, I'll find you no matter where you hide.

But he only got as far as "I know—" before the call was cut off.

Ryan stared at his phone in disbelief, his face burning with anger.

How could Clara fall for someone like that?

He's so not worth it.

Gritting his teeth, he stomped up to the villa and pounded on the door.

No answer. Well, whatever-he'd done his part. He turned on his heel, got in his car, and pulled away.

As he drove off, a car that had been parked in the shadows started up and quietly followed behind.