Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 699

Ryan didn't even get the words out before gunshots shattered the air.

Between the rain hammering down and the rapid-fire cracks, he couldn't tell which sound hit first.

In his twenty years, he'd never seen anything like this. Not in real life. Not even on TV.

Less than three minutes later, every one of those thugs was on the ground-gone without even getting to bark a threat.

Ryan just stood there, stunned, wondering if he was hallucinating.

Every shot had been a headshot. Not one missed.

He slowly sat up, barely breathing, afraid even to blink.

That couldn't be Clara. No way.

But the figure moved closer, slim but somehow as solid and intimidating as a mountain.

His mouth opened, but tears spilled out before he could say a word.

Shit...

That wasn't Clara. That was Death itself.

He sniffled hard, trying to pull himself together, and finally looked up. "C-Clara?"

Clara crouched next to him, brows drawn tight at how pathetic he must look.

He braced himself for a slap-honestly, he kind of deserved it—but it didn't come. The wait was almost worse than the blow.

"Clara, you should just hit me. I always drag you down. I'm useless, I—”

from the floor-one of the ones the men

sharp and deep. He leaned on the wall to push himself up, sweat

again. He hadn't seen Clara in so long. After that night in the motel, she'd just disappeared. Dylan had hidden her away

your mouth?" His voice cracked at the sight of blood at the corner of her

a few steps forward. "Dog

stopped and glanced back. "You coming or

shivered, limping along the wall to follow her. "Are you really

you... I mean,

someone

always had these moments. Serious, unreadable, like she

She just

The tower split

from the left; there was a car waiting for her outside. But she turned and headed right

hobbled after her,

been with Dylan this whole time? Did he hurt you? Did he forge mouth. bet he did

you? Your there was

he looked at

pressing her fingers to her forehead, like she was

given her still hadn't worn off. She felt wired and restless.

was about to ask more,

He panicked. "Clara!"

pain in

besided sweat

forehead. veld.

this, Clara,

about to lose it when her

annoyed glare. "Shut up."