Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The air in the room got heavy, tension crackling just beneath the surface.

No one wanted to be the first to speak. It wasn't that they didn't want to call Dylan out-everyone was thinking it—but no one knew for sure if this was the end for him or just another bump in the road. If they stepped out of line and Dylan came out ahead, they'd be the ones paying for it later.

Only Aaron dared to break the silence.

"Grandpa, the reason I haven't been around the Ferguson house lately is because Dylan's had me locked up. If your men hadn't dragged me here today, I'd still be locked away right now."

People started glancing at each other, whispers breaking out at last.

"Dylan, you've gone too far. No matter what Aaron did, he's still your nephew. How could you treat him like some kind of enemy?"

"Exactly. He's family, and you're supposed to set an example as an elder."

Aaron just snorted, a cold, bitter laugh. None of them had the guts to say what they really meant.

He shot to his feet, voice sharp and loud. "And another thing I think Dylan had something to do with my brother Lincoln's death!"

The room froze. Dead silent.

When Lincoln died, Walter himself had ordered an investigation, but it turned up nothing. After Aaron came back from overseas, he'd butted heads with Dylan again and again—always losing.

Now he was accusing Dylan of murder. Maybe he finally had proof.

first time, something flickered in his eyes.

to anyone else. Who knows what she's been wrapped up in with Dylan? If you really want answers, Grandpa, stop Eden from leaving and have her

hit the room like a

was right. Eden really

these years, Dylan had never let anyone at the Ferguson estate see what he was really feeling. That unreadable calm made it impossible for

his life, but

to his temples, brow furrowed tight. "Dylan, did you send Eden out of

casual. "For

།

laugh, bitter and mocking. "What a hero you are, Dylan. Weren't you the one who leaked Eden's background in

eyes swept the room, calm and

air. Everyone looked at each other, but no one said a

they had

turned red

family who knew about Eden's past! If it wasn't you, who else

brother knew,"

entire room snapped their attention

from the start, and now his face burned red. But when he met Dylan's gaze, all his fight

and sharp. "Michael, did you

almost twenty years ago. Maybe Dylan had told

was hot with

facen