The black SUV roared as it slammed into Adrian's sedan.

The screech of metal grinding against metal tore through the night.

Shane gripped the steering wheel with one hand, his sharp profile flickering under the streetlights. A cold smirk played on his lips, his eyes dark with fury.

The airbags deployed upon impact.

Adrian's head struck the steering wheel hard, blood trickling down his forehead.

Shane flexed his right arm, wincing at the stabbing pain. He shoved the dented door open and staggered out.

"Young Master!" Bodyguards rushed forward in panic.

Clutching his ribs, Shane rasped, "Brake failure. Settle this privately."

The lead bodyguard glared. "You're dead!"

Shane smirked. "Call Victor."

When the call connected, Victor's voice was laced with urgency. "Is Shane badly hurt?"

The bodyguard froze.

"Put him on," Victor ordered.

Shane took the phone. "Still breathing."

"Reckless!" Victor hissed. "Get to a hospital now!"

Sirens wailed as an ambulance arrived.

Shane leaned back on the stretcher, watching Adrian's unconscious form being loaded into another ambulance.

Hospital hallway.

Victor hurried in, Ethan close behind.

"Have you been examined?" Victor scrutinized Shane.

Shane turned away. "Don't need it."

Ethan pulled him aside. "We need to talk."

Rooftop.

The night wind howled.

"Broken ribs?" Ethan studied Shane's pallor.

Shane shook his head. "Minor."

"Why take matters into your own hands?"

A glacial glint flashed in Shane's eyes. "He had people watching my mother."

Ethan's pupils constricted.

"Next time, I'll take his life," Shane enunciated each word.

Ethan gripped his shoulder. "Let me handle it."

Shane shrugged him off. "Not your concern."

"Car keys," he said abruptly.

Ethan arched a brow.

"There's a cake in the trunk. Deliver it to Mom." Shane's tone softened slightly. "Don't slip up."

Audrey's apartment.

"This cake..." Audrey stared at the crumpled box.

Ethan remained impassive. "Road was bumpy."

She took a bite, then suddenly reddened. "Did something happen to Shane?"

"No."

"Bring him here." Her voice trembled. "Now!"

When Shane appeared at the door, Audrey yanked up his sleeve.

The lurid bruises made her gasp.

"Who did this?" Her voice turned shrill.

Shane sat silently, grabbing a spoon to devour the cake.

Cream smeared at the corner of his mouth, he chewed mechanically—as if swallowing the pain whole.