Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Clara waited outside for an hour, but Beck never showed. Instead, random people kept coming and going from his place, busy with something she couldn't figure

out.

She glanced at Eli. "Any idea what's happening in there?"

Eli shook his head slowly, yawning. "Not a clue. But none of them could take me."

Compared to a professional killer trained for life-or-death, these hired thugs didn't even come close.

Clara narrowed her eyes, a sly smile playing at her lips. "Perfect. You grab him, then."

Eli's whole attitude changed-he perked right up. After what happened with Jeffree last time, he honestly thought Clara would never trust him again. That mess had been his fault, and he'd dragged her into trouble. Now she was giving him another shot, and he felt his blood start to race.

He reached for the car door, but Clara stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"Wait until it's dark. After you get him, take him straight to this address. And Eli- don't mess it up like you did with Jeffree. Don't give anyone else a chance, okay?"

Eli's cheeks warmed. Seth's words echoed in his head he was too impulsive, too rash, and that always got him into trouble.

He let go of the door, twisting a small braid between his fingers, eyes downcast and a shadow of disappointment on his face. "Got it."

Clara just nodded, giving him a look that said "go." Once he had Beck, he was to bring him right to the meeting spot.

Eli climbed out of the car, dragging his feet, and only when he watched Clara drive off did he finally let out a long sigh. He hid himself quickly; Beck's people thought Clara had left and didn't notice Eli staying behind.

Clara headed home, only to find Ryan slumped on the floor, looking like he hadn't slept in days.

She didn't want to say a single word to him. She went to unlock the door, but his voice stopped her.

"Sarah's dead. She lost the baby, too. She said you killed her, Clara. I don't want to treat you like this."

He sat there, crumpled and defeated.

"I keep dreaming about Dad yelling at me. My head's a mess. Sarah kept asking me for chicken soup, and the next moment, she jumped right in front of me. Her last words were that it was all your fault. Clara, I can't trust you anymore. All she wanted was that baby; she'd never hurt me, never use the baby to set you up. I know it."

Clara froze. She'd just learned Sarah was gone-of course she was in shock. How could Sarah be dead?

Her brow furrowed, and she suddenly remembered how off Ryan had been on his birthday.

Ryan managed to get up, forcing a bitter smile.

vel

"My twentieth birthday. We were supposed to spend it together. never expected a present like this two lives gone. What am supposed to do with you?"

His voice got quieter and quieter as he wrapped his arms around his head.

"I failed Sarah. I failed the baby. I failed Dad And Mom, too—I lied to her. I can't believe I lied to her. Deep down,+ actually thought about handing the Bradford family@ver to you. I wanted to leave..."

Clara thought about Sarah's strange, vampire-like parents and finally asked, "Where is she buried?"

Judging by his exhausted face, he'd probably spent all night arranging the funeral.

Ryan's lashes trembled. “She's with my dad. Same cemetery."

"Take

one

ne there. You're right about

but she did love you, at least a little."

Sarah had a lot of f

t belongs to sweet

He had to accept that.

Ryan's tears came all at once. Since last night, his whole world had fallen apart

over and over.

He got up, unsteady, leaning on the wall. "Okay."

They drove in silence. Clara didn't say a word.noveldrama

Ryan could feel the distance between them, thick and cold.

Cole had been right. Maybe from now on, he'd never be her spoiled little brother again.

He'd screwed up, and he knew it.