Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 671

Charles took a deep breath, then walked straight over to Clara and gently

grabbed her hand.

"Clara, I'm just going to be real with you. You're not actually my sister, but from

now on, you're as good as. If anything ever happens, call me your brother. If

you're in trouble, I'll be the first one there for you, no matter what."

Clara looked at him, her eyes wide with confusion, then surprise. "Brother, what's

wrong?"

Charles looked into her clear, innocent eyes and felt a sharp ache in his chest.

She really didn't understand. In her mind, she was still just a ten-year-old kid.

He tried to smile. "Nothing's wrong. But listen, we can't go out tomorrow. I want

you to memorize my phone number, okay? This one's special-only my big

brother and Mitch know it. If you need anything, call me. No matter where I am, I'll

come find you."

She nodded and reached up to wipe a tear off his cheek. "Brother, why are you

crying?"

Charles let out a shaky laugh and waved her off. "Hey, guys can cry too. It's not a

big deal."

Clara didn't quite get it. "So... are we still playing cards tonight?"

He shook his head. "No, not tonight. I'm taking you to see the stars instead."

nodded, letting him lead her up to

a helicopter sat waiting, sleek and ready

doctor hurried over, worry written on his face. "Charles,

you

Charles couldn't sit still. He knew Richard would be

like every

let's go see

he couldn't change Charles's mind,

should get some rest. Your body still

the doctor's eyes

can we just rest tonight? I don't

landing pad, looking

I can get

moment, remembering the sparkling

"I like the ones with

But before he

already dialing his phone.

yeah, I need

Can you

helicopter? I

a lot. You've got

right? Why can't

now. Send

get it done."

to Clara with a grin. "Don't worry,

plenty of, it's

at ten, she

were actually worth.

to their conversation, felt like he was

buzzed-a

stepped away

low. The person on

end sounded all

does Charles