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.

when she cared about someone, wasn't exactly

away, and she rushed

she'd call him Mr. Dylan, only using his first name if things were urgent.

of old memories

Dylan.

Dylan.

called after him, "Did I used to

still on the wheels. "Did you

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

massaged her temples, feeling a

He seems capable, right? Don't worry, I'll come back

eyes locked on

gaze. There was something burning in Dylan's eyes, like he could melt straight through her, even though his expression stayed icy

waited, hoping

he let out a sharp, cold laugh—a sound she'd never heard

don't get what you

him in disbelief. She'd always thought Dylan was

been in love with Shelly for years, stayed single

understand-sometimes feelingmet

people just didn't make sense.

that, she realized he cared

stood frozen for a few seconds, then turned and

for ever thinking

no way he'd

hand at his side slowly

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

regret trickling in. Maybe she should've just left

*

the other side of town, Simon had been staking out near

ages. If he really was keeping Clara locked