Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

After hanging up, she trudged over to the big bed, feeling drained.

Charles lingered in the doorway, looking uneasy. "My brother just called again. I was supposed to stay another month, but he wants me back in North America tomorrow. Sis, I'm sorry-I have to go. Dylan should be heading there in a month, so we'll probably meet up then."

Clara looked up, not ready to let him leave, but she knew Charles had his own path to follow.

She wasn't a fan of the Chester brothers, but she understood that Charles still cared about them in his own way.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" she said quietly.

Charles nodded, then remembered something. "I'm leaving MiloBuddy with you. I'm good in a fight, and those guys back in North America don't like them anyway. With them on your side, you'll be able to track down anyone you need."

Clara didn't argue-she honestly had no idea what she was about to face.

"Thank you, Charles."

He didn't want to leave either, but when it came to his big brother's orders, he didn't have a choice. "Just promise me, don't go head-to-head with Louella unless you have to. If you do, make sure it's somewhere no one's watching. MiloBuddy will warn you first. If you get caught by those people, nobody can save you."

He stopped himself from saying more, knowing if he kept going he might not be able to walk away.

He'd never felt this kind of heavy, bittersweet feeling before. It was almost too much.

"I should go. I need to get back to my place and pack. I'll text you the address. The helicopter will be waiting there for you. If you ever have nowhere else to go, my estate is yours. It's your safe haven."

Clara nodded again, eyes stinging with tears.

But Charles had already turned, gave a last little wave, and disappeared.

After he left, Clara couldn't sleep. She ended up taking a long bath, changed into fresh clothes, and stood on the balcony, just waiting for morning to come.

Dylan still hadn't come home, and worry gnawed at her.

The next morning, she called Aiden, but he didn't pick up.noveldrama

Her unease only grew. Now that Ms. Louella had arrived in the Capital, she was sure the old man would start pushing things even further.

She waited until noon, tried Dylan and Aiden's numbers over and over, but no one answered.

With no other choice, she called Richard.

He was sitting in his office when he picked up, voice cool and flat. "What's up?" "Dylan's missing."

Richard's brow creased. He set his pen down slowly. "He didn't come home last night?"

"No."

He leaned back in his chair. "I heard

Rai from the overseas Ferguson family has been at the old house lately. Who knows what he's planning. Clara, North America4s dangerous. Dylan's strong, but those family ties run deep. You're better

off here in the Capital with him."

Clara lowered her eyes. Of course she wanted to stay here-she knew nothing about North America.

"Richard, can you check the old house for me? See if he's there?"

He spun his pen between his fingers. "You're getting pretty demanding, you know that?"

Clara just pressed her lips together. "Didn't you say you wanted things to work out between me and Dylan?"

He didn't answer right away, just stared at the file in his hands for a long moment before finally grunting, "Mm."

Richard didn't waste time. With his status, getting into the Ferguson family's old house was easy.

Inside, the tension was thick. Rai and Walter were deep in conversation.

Rai looked satisfied. "This time, the dosage should be just right. That kid's something else—-he even fought off the last batch."

Walter picked up his tea, using the

lid to

away the leaves. "Dylan's me down. Rai, let's hope your medicine doesn't either."

Rai sighed. “Last time was an accident didn't expect him to handleit so well, but I've

recalculated everything now. When he wakes up, he'll only remember that one place."

A slow, cold smile crept across Walter's face, but there was something dark in his

eyes.

"What about him? Did he say anything to you when you got here?"