Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 840

A helicopter came for them not long after and whisked them straight to the hospital.

Once they'd gotten a few shots of antivenom, the doctor finally relaxed. "If you'd come any later, there's nothing we could've done. We lose people to that kind of snakebite every year. You were in the forest, weren't you? Next time, just stay out of there."

Clara glanced at Dylan.

He was propped up against the headboard, looking washed-out and pale. "I want to go home," he said quietly.

Clara didn't even hesitate. She booked the first flight she could find and got him on the plane that very day.

By the time they made it back to Palm Bay, she was running on empty. She took a hot shower, checked on Milo and Buddy, and finally headed to the master bedroom-just as Dylan was coming out of his own shower.

She crossed her arms, eyeing him for a long moment.

He tossed his towel aside and walked straight to the bed, looking like he might just collapse right there.

"Aren't you going to dry your hair?" Clara asked, frowning.

"No," he mumbled.

but that did it.

play along with his obvious games. The whole vacation had been for him-he'd picked the spot himself—and now

bed, eyes closed, still looking like

over.

she caught sight of the fading bruise on his cheek, she stopped herself from saying

to me why the sudden need to come home? Even if you wanted to leave, couldn't you have just told me? Did you have to go about it this way? Was this

exaggerating. Another hour and Dylan might not have

about

the hair dryer, hauled him

but leaned into

drop her guard. She carefully dried his hair, running her fingers through it until it was soft and warm. When she finished, he lay down,

to climb in when

been no signal in the rainforest—she hadn't heard from anyone in days. For her phone to ring now, it had to be

Kaitlyn. Clara picked up right

went?" Kaitlyn's voice was tense. "I haven't been able to reach those two for a while. I was trying to find some new people to help out so we wouldn't lose so much money-but then the brothers turned up again, hustling on a few side gigs.

Seth and Eli

were always a little mysterious. Never shared

me the number,