Shane Prescott lowered his gaze to Silas Prescott lying on the hospital bed, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

He suppressed the urge to embrace him, his voice low. "I'll hire the best legal team."

Silas's dull eyes flickered. "Just keep me alive."

The night wind greeted Shane as he stepped out of the hospital.

Kyle Grant opened the car door. "Back to Kyoto?"

Shane nodded, pulling out his phone.

Luna Valentine's number was still switched off.

He stared at the screen, remembering her sharp movements during missions, worry gnawing at him.

Kyle noticed his furrowed brow and chuckled. "Worried?"

Shane put away his phone. "Yeah."

By the time the plane landed, dusk had settled.

Fresh out of the shower, Shane felt his phone vibrate.

A text from Luna flashed on the screen: Mission over. Just landed.

His fingers burned as he dialed back instantly. "Wait for me."

His jacket rustled as he grabbed it from the hanger.

The florist's glass door chimed as he pushed it open.

"Gladiolus," Shane pointed to the pristine, upright flowers. "Make it look good."

The clerk smiled. "For your girlfriend?"

His ears warmed. "Yeah."

At the airport exit, Luna stood straight as a pine.

Shane took her suitcase, his gaze intense. "You've lost weight."

Luna arched a brow. "That obvious?"

"My father turned himself in."

She paused, then understood. "He's protecting you."

Warmth surged in Shane's chest.

She always saw right through to the truth.

In the car, he handed her the potted gladiolus with care.

"Potted?" Luna laughed softly. "That's different."

Shane held her gaze. "It'll last longer."

She bent to smell the flowers, her lashes casting delicate shadows under the light.

Suddenly, Shane leaned in.

The seatbelt clicked softly.

"May I?" His breath tightened.

Luna met his eyes. "Try me."

The taste of mint filled the air as their lips met.

Shane pulled back with restraint, his throat working. "Drinks?"

The dim lights of Nightfall Lounge pulsed around them.

Oliver Granger bounded over. "Hey, sis!"

This time, Luna didn't correct him.

Ice clinked in their whiskey glasses.

Though the dance floor swirled with bodies, Shane only saw the woman beside him.

When Luna left for the restroom, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"What a coincidence." Adrian Sullivan swirled his glass. "Heard the Sullivans lost a child once?"

Shane's knuckles whitened.

"If that child came back..." Adrian's smile was sly. "Do you think Ethan would—"

Steel flashed.

Blood welled from Adrian's split lip.

The throwing knife quivered in the table, humming.

"Next time," Shane's voice was ice, "it'll be your throat."

As bodyguards rushed forward, Luna stepped between them.

She plucked the knife free, grinning. "Smooth."

Turning to Adrian, her voice turned cold. "Watch your mouth."