Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara's head throbbed, a sharp ache pounding behind her eyes. She pressed her fingers to her brow, trying to massage away the pain.

Simon watched her, his lip curling in a bitter sneer. "I told you, didn't I? Dylan killed your boyfriend, but you never believed me. How could you actually fall for him? I just don't get it. You used to hate the guy!"

He'd always thought Dylan was nothing but a snake-someone who'd taken advantage of Clara while she was at her lowest and stolen her heart. The idea made Simon sick.

The world spun around Clara, her dizziness so overwhelming that Simon's voice faded into static for a moment.

"Clara?" he called, over and over. She didn't answer. Growing frantic, Simon stumbled back a few steps, his voice rising. "Who are you thinking about right now? Even now, is it Dylan? Are you really that desperate? Is any guy better than none to you?"

Down below, Megan was already awake, lying where Clara had left her at the edge of the cliff.

Megan had always been careful, always valued her own life. She never thought Simon would lose it like this.

Her eyes were red as she shouted up, "Clara, don't worry about me! I'm fine, seriously!"

Her voice wobbled, thick with tears, but even now she couldn't help putting on a performance.

up the cliff. It was steep, but there were a few trees clinging to the rocks below. If she got lucky, maybe she could catch one if she fell —she sure wasn't going to

hers to control, and she'd always played it safe. She just hadn't expected to get tripped up by someone

the odds, even as she kept up her act for

His expression

in, I'll let Megan go. We'll leave together. He had every escape. planned. No one would dare make a move right now, and once he and Clara

in the air, he'd knock Clara out. Then, he could take

knees, both hands pressed to her head. Sweat dripped down her face in

go down

words sounded selfless, but her eyes never left those

didn't care he thought she was

change my mind. The helicopter'll be here in ten minutes. Are you coming or

pounded, flashes of memory and emotion swirling in

about to yell again when he saw

car.

Dylan was here?

face twisted,