Shane glanced at his wristwatch. "I'll take you home," he said to Luna.

He hesitated, then added, "Victor's too sharp. We don't want him catching us."

Yet a voice inside him screamed for her to stay.

Luna chuckled. "Our relationship sure keeps the elders busy."

"Tell me about it," Shane laughed. "More invested than we are."

They stood and headed downstairs.

The receptionist handed Luna a set of keys. "Are these yours?"

"Thanks." Her fingers brushed the cold metal as she took them.

She knew her father had left them deliberately but chose not to mention it.

The sea breeze carried a briny tang as they stepped outside.

Shane shrugged off his jacket to drape over her shoulders.

"No." She pushed it back into his arms. "You keep it."

Amusement flickered in his eyes.

This woman could shift from soft to stubborn in seconds.

At the dock, Luna suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Stay alert tonight," she said, her gaze clear. "My dad says to watch your back."

Shane's expression darkened.

"Ethan's my blood brother," he said coldly. "Tell your father to back off."

Luna nodded. "That's exactly what I told him."

Shane cupped her face. "Thank God you didn't inherit his temperament."

"My grandmother raised me."

Internally, Shane breathed a sigh of relief. Had she mirrored her father's personality, he'd have remained single.

"Boarding now." Luna turned to leave.

Shane yanked her into the shadows.

His lips grazed her ear, breath scorching.

Luna's pulse hammered like war drums.

Tilting her chin up, Shane claimed her mouth in a searing kiss.

Blood roared in his veins.

The urge to drag her back to the hotel nearly overwhelmed him.

"Let's get engaged," he rasped between kisses. "Pick a date."

Luna's lips glistened. "Dad predicted you'd say that."

The realization of Vincent's scheming hit Shane.

He pinched her cheek in mock exasperation. "Don't tell me these things."

"I won't lie to you."

Her blunt honesty melted his resolve.

He kissed her again, their silhouettes merging against the sound of crashing waves.

Suddenly, Luna shoved him away and sprinted forward like an arrow.

By the time Shane caught up, she had a man in a chokehold.

"Identify yourself!" she barked.

The man removed his mask.

Shane massaged his temples.

Victor rubbed his throat, unfazed. "Your father sent me to check on you."

Luna muttered an awkward apology.

"No harm done." Victor's gaze shifted between them. "Shane, stay at Luna's tonight."

Shane arched an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Do it." Victor's tone carried hidden meaning.

In the car, Vincent nearly swerved when hearing Shane would stay over.

"That's... inappropriate."

Shane remained impassive. "Bound to happen eventually."

Back at the Valentine residence, Gwendolyn's hospitality felt painfully forced.

Shane watched her fluttering about with detached amusement.

The same woman who'd once scorned his poverty now tripped over herself to please him.

After the study was prepared, Vincent took a call from Victor.

Hanging up, his face contorted. "He wants Shane to take our family name?"

"Sounds like it," Gwendolyn mused.

"That scheming bastard!" Vincent ground his teeth. "Playing games with me!"

Alone in the study, Shane watched the moonlight, a smirk playing on his lips.

This chess match had only just begun.