Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 232

After dropping Dylan off, Clara headed back home and quickly texted Z.

"Hey, I'm going shopping tomorrow. Want me to pick up some couple stuff? Like mugs or toothbrushes?"

The reply was instant, like he was holding his phone, waiting.

"Sure thing."

Maybe he thought he sounded too blunt because another message followed soon after.

"I'm really happy about that."

Clara smiled to herself. Just as she settled into bed, her phone rang. It was Calix.

Hugh had been moved to a bigger hospital that morning, but his condition hadn't changed.

"Clara, June's still waiting on you."

Clara had been trying to get updates about the prison situation for the past few days, but the Bradfords were strictly a business family with no reach into such matters.

She couldn't go to Scarlette again, since Scarlette's ties with the Greenards were complicated.

And Dylan was in the middle of her own redemption, not in a position to owe anyone more favors.

After mulling it over, she realized Simon was her only shot.

Simon had been lying low lately.

She called him right away, and his voice sounded rough, like he'd been through the wringer.

Clara didn't pry. "Do you have any pull at Twin Rivers Prison? I need to bring someone for a visit."

despite the fresh blood on his back from laying down for hours. Clara rarely called, so he

in is a breeze with the Fergusons' connections, but

and quickly

that night, Simon's car rolled

noticed his hands

"What's up with you?"

pale. "I... never

invested in his drama and nodded offhandedly.

pulled up at Twin Rivers Prison, June was already there, having rushed over with trembling

she almost

steadied her. "Let's go in. Your husband's probably

and adjusted the

Ashford had mentioned being hungry and beaten, so she brought

June anxiously twisting the fabric

each other in years, and now, faced with the reunion, she was at a loss

felt a

wall, beads of sweat dotting his forehead. Clara caught a

kept quiet, so

ten minutes, the

for South

lit up, and she shakily

sorry to say, South Ashford passed away half an

him. Let me see him just once more. I brought his favorite meat pies.

stepped back. "He truly passed. We're here to

hurried

faint, but instead, she closed her

take me to

on the way there, the car ride heavy with

arrival, Clara helped

her head on