Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

A smug smile crept onto her face, and she didn't even bother to hide it.

"Simon, I've been moving up while you've been stuck in the same place for ages. Didn't you say you were going to take Clara and start a new life somewhere else? So what happened? Haven't gotten around to it? Or is it just that you don't have a chance—makes sense, since you can't even get into Palm Bay anymore, and you've pretty much lost your voice in the Ferguson family. Lately, the old man can't get enough of Dylan—amnesia or not, Dylan's clearly his favorite now. The rest of you? Just background characters."

Her words landed right where Simon was most sensitive.

Simon's face flushed, a wave of humiliation washing over him.

But he and Megan were in this together; no need to blow things up.

He swallowed his anger and forced his voice to stay steady. "I asked you here because I wanted to know if you found anything new in Palm Bay. Remember what I said—if we could pin Clara's boyfriend's death on Dylan... Did you find anything? Even the smallest lead?"

Megan's lips curled into a slight smile. Of course she'd found something, but why should she share it with him? Wasn't he always the one who looked down on her?

She took a slow sip of coffee, then stood up. "I haven't found a thing. Let's not meet again. I thought you might have something useful for me, but it turns out you're just here to dig for my info. I'm not about to put myself at risk-Clara still trusts me, and I plan to keep it that way."

She moved to leave, but suddenly everything went black. She nearly collapsed, grabbing the edge of the table for support, staring at Simon in disbelief.

"Are you out of your mind? Did you drug me?"

Had Simon really hit rock bottom? He'd actually put something in her coffee-was he that desperate?

As she started to lose consciousness, Simon's voice drifted over, soft and almost calm.

"You said Clara still trusts you. If I kidnap you, she'll come to save you. That means you're my best shot. Megan, you should be grateful you're still useful— otherwise, I would've gotten rid of you a long time ago."

a crazy sort of satisfaction. He slammed a cup down, itching to call Clara

dark as he stared at Megan's unconscious

*

of the night to her phone ringing. This time, it was

to come save her."

hand pressed to her injured

called me himself. I guess he figured out I've been meeting with you. He's probably been stalking

deep breath. No wonder she'd felt like she was

rubbed her forehead. She

how close

had been before

since waking up, Megan had always

and headed downstairs. "Where did he

edge of town. He tied Megan's rope to his own-if anything happens to him, she'll fall right off. Our guys

against the wall, anxiety

blurred, but she forced herself to keep moving and

her car, Palm Bay's security team appeared

This was between her and

unstable, but she never thought he'd go this far-risking

drove to the address Richard

old temple, where the family matriarch had her accident. There really was a steep