Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara glanced up at the sky, the last light fading. "Let's go."

They didn't stick to the main roads. Instead, the small group slipped through the Capital's back alleys, winding between shadows and silence.

Milo and Buddy moved ahead-one on each side-hugging the walls and sniffing every hidden corner. Clara always knew her dogs were smart, but tonight they seemed almost too clever, always finding the best cover and never making a sound, even when it felt perfectly safe.

Earlier, she'd let them sniff something of Aiden's. Now, Milo and Buddy were quietly leading the way, noses to the ground, focused and determined.

But they weren't heading toward the old manor like she expected. Instead, they veered away from the city lights, moving further out, toward quieter, emptier streets.

Clara frowned, leaning in to whisper to Kay, "If the old man wanted to punish someone, wouldn't locking them up at the manor be easier? No one would ever know. Why bring them all the way out here? Does the Ferguson family own another place out this way?"

In the darkness, Kay was practically invisible. If she didn't already know he was there, she might've lost track of him completely.

As usual, he said nothing.

Clara stopped walking. "Is this a setup for me?"

It made sense-using Aiden's location to draw her out. She couldn't get anywhere near Dylan; his security was impossible to break. So her only move was to go after Aiden, and the old man probably saw that coming from a mile away.

Still, she couldn't back out now. Even if she was walking right into a trap, she had to see for herself.

She was just about to step forward again when Kay finally spoke up. "There won't be many people with Aiden. The old man doesn't know you know how to use a gun."

That was her hidden edge. Only Dylan and Charles knew how good she actually was. To everyone else, she was just some ordinary woman from a modest family -just another pretty face Dylan had taken a liking to.

The more they underestimated her, the better her chances.

Clara let out a quiet breath. So the Fergusons did have a place out here for punishing people. Keeping Aiden away from the manor was probably to make sure Dylan didn't find out, especially since he'd been staying there the past few days.

Technically, it was on the outskirts, but by the backroads, it was only about an hour's walk. Milo and Buddy had picked the best, fastest route.

Ahead, she spotted a cluster of villas-this wasn't the middle of nowhere. It was a wealthy neighborhood, filled with homes for the city's elite.

So the Fergusons had a house here too.

Milo stopped to sniff the air, then nudged Clara's leg before bolting ahead again.

Clara and Kay paused outside one particular villa. This one was locked down tight -guards everywhere, at least a dozen men patrolling the grounds.

She patted Milo's head. Instantly, he sprang forward, barking loudly at the guards.

Most dogs would've run at the sight of so many people, but not Milo. He barked at each guard, tail high, challenging them.

It didn't take long for a few guards to break off, grumbling about cooking dog for dinner.

This place was supposed to be quiet-Milo clearly didn't care about their rules.

Once those guards were distracted, Clara signaled Buddy. The rest of the men never saw it coming. Before they could even reach for their guns, Clara and Kay took them out, and Buddy tore into a couple of wrists, making sure they stayed down.

Clara quickly searched the bodies for keys and unlocked the door.

The moment it swung open, the heavy, metallic scent of blood filled the air.noveldrama

A staircase, led down into the

basement

She told Milo and Buddy

to stay behind, then looked at Kay.

"Keep watch. If anyone shows up, let

me know right away."

Kay pulled his mask higher over his face, then surprised her by asking quietly, "I

thought you didn't trust me."

Now really wasn't the time for that conversation. Clara just shrugged. "If ted you, I wouldn't use you. If I

use

you, I don't doubly

Kay went silent again, standing guard by the door.