Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Dylan hadn't missed a single message from her. He was still at Ferguson

Corporation that night, fresh out of a shower in the lounge when he glanced at his

phone—and stopped cold at the latest notification.

Aiden knocked on the door. "Sir, your wife's old phone just got a bunch of

messages. They're from the kidnappers. Ryan's been taken. Someone's

demanding money from your wife."

A deep frown creased Dylan's brow.

Aiden hesitated, his voice tight. "These people aren't bluffing. If your wife doesn't

show up in person, they'll kill him. They know what they're doing."

Dylan swung open the lounge door, his expression dark. "Do we have a location?"

"We found them. But they insist on seeing Mrs. Ferguson herself. There are

thirteen of them, all hiding in that abandoned control tower. If she doesn't come,

they're going to throw Ryan off the top."

Even the best team couldn't handle thirteen armed men at once. And that tower—

it was a hundred meters high. Used to be a spot for bungee jumping, back in the

day. Just thinking about it made Dylan's chest tighten.

He took a steadying breath. Ryan couldn't get hurt. If he did, she'd never forgive

him.

"Let's head back."

By the time they got back to Palm Bay, rain was pouring down in sheets.

Dylan shrugged off his jacket. As he looked up, he saw her standing in the foyer,

holding a glass of water. The second she saw him, her whole face lit up.

"You're home!"

She set the glass down on the coffee table and practically flew across the room,

crashing into his arms like a bird finally finding its nest.

Dylan almost winced at how hard his heart thudded at her touch. His arms went

around her waist, instinctively tightening, pulling her closer.

Clara tipped her face up from his chest, her eyes sparkling. "I just dreamed about

you, and now you're really here. I thought I wouldn't see you for days."

He tried to keep his emotions in check, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders.

"Clara."

Every time he said her name, there was something soft and almost aching in his

voice—something that made her own heart skip.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern in her eyes.

"Come with me. I need you."

She nodded immediately, rising up on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Let me just

change, okay?"

She dashed upstairs, swapped her

pajamas for real clothes, and hurried

back down. But when she saw him

waiting by the door, she finally

blurted out the question she'd been

carrying for ages.

"Honey, what's going on with your leg?"

She crouched down, studying his steady stance, then looked up at him—he

seemed even taller from down here, almost mountain-like.

"Is your leg really better? Why don't you need the wheelchair anymore?"

He pulled her up in one swift movement, wrapping her in his arms, holding her like

he never wanted to let go.

"I didn't want to leave the country before," he said quietly. "Didn't want that job...

Didn't want to attract attention."

Clara didn't fully understand, but she gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Then

don't take the job."

"But I owe the Ferguson family."

"Then take it."

He let out a low laugh, equal parts amused and exasperated. "You really go

whichever way the wind blows, huh?"

Clara grinned, relieved to see him in

better spirits. She laced her fingers

through his and tugged him toward

the door. "As long as you're not mad,

I'm happy. I really didn't mean what I

said that day. Can't we just stay like

this? You don't get mad at me, I

won't get mad at you. Deal?"

His hand trembled just a little as she led him to the car.

Once they were inside, she took his hand and placed it firmly on her shoulder.

"As long as your mark is still here,

you're not allowed to be mad at me.

If you are, I swear, I'll stop talking to

you for real."

He swallowed, looking into her eyes—so serious, so sincere.noveldrama

At least in this moment, she truly meant it.

"Alright," he said softly.