Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Tara slipped out and headed next door to the private room. When she walked in and spotted the middle-aged man inside, her face lit up with genuine surprise.

"Uncle! What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Flynn, who was forty-five and always seemed to be smiling with his eyes, replied, "You're the busy one, Tara. I've tried calling, but you never pick up. You've changed so much since you went abroad. Honestly, you're even prettier than I remember."

Tara sat down beside him. This was her mom's only brother-her uncle. After her parents died when she was still a teenager, her mom's side of the family had grown distant from the Warrens. It made sense; her mom's relatives never really matched the Warren family's power, and after her mom passed, some of them tried to get close to the Warrens, but the family wanted nothing to do with that kind of thing. Other than raising Tara themselves, they'd cut off contact with her mom's relatives.

Back when her mom was alive, Flynn used to visit all the time, so he knew Tara and her dad pretty well. Over the years, his business had boomed, and he'd become a big deal in the city-but he didn't spend much time there, so people rarely saw him at family gatherings.

"Uncle, you're the real busy one. How long are you staying in town this time? Want to go visit Mom with me?"

Flynn reached over and ruffled her hair. "If your mom could see you now, she'd be so proud. I heard you and Dylan are getting married-any truth to that?"

Tara let her guard down. Her smile faded.

"When I came back, I thought everything would be fine. But then Clara showed up out of nowhere. For reasons I don't even understand, Dylan actually married her. Everyone thinks it's just some silly rumor, but I know he really cares about her."

Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought her around his friends.

"Do you want my help?" Flynn offered quietly.

Tara had used her Warren family connections to help her uncle plenty of times, but she still didn't know how he managed to build such a huge business network in just a decade. People were always trying to get on his good side, and rumors swirled that he was involved in some shady deals-but nobody really knew what went on behind the scenes. Flynn kept that part of his life locked away.noveldrama

She shook her head. "Not for now. If Dylan just sees Clara as a substitute, she'll be easy enough to handle."

Tara poured herself a glass of wine and grinned. Uncle, we haven't seen each other in years since I left the

country. How about I show you net

around tomorrow? Remember that old alley you and Mom loved? I spent a ton fixing it up. I just didn't want those memories to fade."

Flynn's features softened as he tapped her forehead. "You're always so considerate, Tara. Sometimes you think of everything and I don't even know what to say. I never had kids you're all I've got. If yo@ever need anything, just ask."

Tara nodded, finishing her drink. "Don't worry, Uncle. I won't be shy."

They chatted a little longer before Tara got up to leave.

Flynn gave her shoulder a supportive pat. "Go on. I'm here to meet a business partner, anyway."

Before she left, Tara ordered a few bottles of good wine for him. He definitely didn't need the extra, but it was her way of showing she cared.

Flynn chuckled softly. Once Tara was gone, his smile faded.

A moment later, a man walked in, his expression grim. He spoke in a low voice, "Mr. Flynn, it's confirmed. The woman who broke into the village is Clara. She fled with the Bolton girl."

A cold glint flashed in Flynn's eyes. He glanced at the wine on the table, a faint smile tugging at his lips "That name again. Clara. Why does that sound so familiar? It's her, isn't it?" sŵnovel

Sometimes things just fall right into your lap.

So, she was called Clara.