Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 576

She didn't snap out of it until a voice whispered in her ear.

"What are you staring at?"

She lowered her lashes, repeating softly, "Dylan, please. Just let me go back for a bit."

She meant it—she needed to make sure Z was okay. She couldn't let Walter's anger land on him.

Dylan went silent. He always did this whenever she brought up Z-like it was some kind of trigger.

Clara took a deep breath. The question had been on her mind for so long, she finally just blurted it out.

"Do you really hate Z?"

With everyone else, Dylan always seemed untouchable, like nothing anyone did could ever bother him. But Z was different. Dylan's whole vibe shifted whenever Z came up even the corners of his mouth would drop lower than usual.

Clara had never heard of Dylan hating anyone. How could he possibly have beef with Z?

She watched his face, searching for the tiniest hint of emotion.

What she didn't expect was how honest he was.

"Yeah. I really do."

Clara was speechless for a moment.

A weird, hot anger bubbled up inside her, and she let out a short, almost bitter laugh.

"Why? What's he ever done to you?"

Z mostly kept to himself. He was always alone, except for the occasional shift at Nightshade. He barely talked to anyone. If someone didn't like him, it definitely wasn't Z's fault.

she cared about someone, wasn't

himself away, and she rushed after

first name if things were urgent. But

fragments of old memories

Dylan.

Dylan.

him, "Did I used to always call you

the wheels. "Did you

not really. She was just tired-too many sleepless nights, her nerves

her temples, feeling a

guy from earlier go back with me. He seems capable, right? Don't worry, I'll

turned to face her, eyes locked

something burning in Dylan's eyes, like he could melt straight through her, even though

waited, hoping he'd

cold laugh—a sound she'd

get what you see in a guy

disbelief. She'd always

been in love with Shelly for years, stayed single just

understand-sometimes feelingmet

people just didn't make sense.

realized he cared about things

for a few seconds, then turned and walked

ever thinking she could reason

There was no

her leave, his hand at his side slowly curling into a

the first door she'd found, but it was closed

Maybe she should've just left when

*

town, Simon had been

face in ages. If he really was keeping Clara locked up, what was he doing with her all