Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

The whole car jerked sideways, but Clara didn't even flinch. She planted her boot on the center console, steadying herself as she snapped up her gun and fired straight ahead.noveldrama

Her shot nailed the lead car, flipping it over and blocking the rest of the convoy behind it.

It would only buy them a few seconds, though. The others would be back on their tail any moment.

Clara slipped back in through the open window, already reloading the gun with practiced, almost automatic movements.

Halfway through, she paused, frowning. "Wait... did I ever actually learn how to use a gun?"

And yet, her hands knew exactly what to do.

She'd been wondering about it since earlier, when she'd spotted the scattered gun parts and somehow, without thinking, assembled them in seconds.

She glanced at Dylan sitting beside her.

He had his eyes closed, silent.

Aiden up front was quiet too.

Sensing the strange tension, Clara decided not to push it.

She rolled up the window and scooted closer to Dylan. "Feeling any better?" she asked softly.

He opened his eyes, gaze drifting to the gun in her hands.

Clara gave him a crooked smile. "This thing's pretty handy. Guess I must've learned somewhere... just can't remember who taught me."

Her words faded as a surge of blurry, chaotic memories crashed through her mind, making her head pound.

She didn't let it show. Instead, she grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from Dylan's forehead.

"Dylan, I'm talking to you. Are you okay?"

He nodded slightly, his eyes searching her face. Finding nothing unusual, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Clara found herself half-trapped against his chest, unable to move.

Was this guy actually touch-starved or something?

Dylan really was a good guy, but she knew she couldn't stay. She had her own people to look out for.

The car

enemy

down the road, the

des closing in again but

just then, Dylan's team. Out

cutting them off.

Clara let out a shaky breath, stashed

the gun back in the glove box, ande

caught a glimpse of a small box tucked in the divider

Her eyelashes fluttered, but she didn't ask. Instead, she leaned back, closed her eyes, and tried to rest.

She figured as long as Dylan's

people were here, they'd be safe. But then

rout of nowhere, an explosion

rocked the road ahead. Even Aiden let out a curse.

Boulders crashed down from the mountain, smashing into the car and sending them tumbling down a steep slope.

Clara's world spun.

When the car finally stopped, she shoved open the door and staggered out into a landscape that felt completely unfamiliar.

They were definitely miles from the Capital now-but Dylan's team was on the way.

She ducked back inside to check on everyone: Dylan was fine, but Aiden was bleeding from a nasty gash on his head.

Clara exhaled in relief, checked Aiden's pulse, and when she was sure he'd make it, turned to Dylan.

The car was a mangled mess, but somehow it had landed upright. It looked like hell, but they were alive.

Dylan sat there, his shirt sleeves dirtied and torn, staring at Clara through the shattered window.

Clara took a step back, feeling like he'd just seen straight through her. But she didn't have time to worry about that.

"Dylan, maybe we'll meet again sometime," she said, her voice steady.

She turned and walked away without looking back.

His team would be here soon-he and Aiden would be okay.

This was her only chance to go.

Dylan watched as she vanished into the mountains, then dropped his head and let

out a cold, bitter laugh.