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.

for the first time, something flickered in his eyes. "Do you have

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

hit the room like

he was right. Eden really did

what he was really feeling. That unreadable calm made it impossible for Walter to tell what his youngest

enough storms in his life, but Dylan was the one mystery he could never

furrowed tight. "Dylan, did you send Eden out of

his sleeve, voice casual. "For the Ferguson family's reputation, I

།

"What a hero you are, Dylan. Weren't you the one who leaked Eden's background

eyes swept the room, calm and steady. "Got any

air. Everyone looked at each

they

face turned

only one in this family who knew about Eden's past! If

brother knew," Dylan said

but the entire room snapped

now his face burned red. But when he met Dylan's gaze, all his fight just

stern and

Maybe Dylan had told Michael something back then-but if he had, Michael

was

facen