After breakfast, Juniper Payne returned to her room and changed into something more practical: a short ck tactical jacket, te-gray cargo pants, and a dark baseball cap. Her soft, wavy hair fell loosely over her shoulders, framing an exquisite face that was captivating even in such a casual outfit. There was an effortless, almost dangerous beauty to her that was impossible to ignore.


    "Ms. Payne, are you heading out now?" Dana asked as Juniper came downstairs, a backpack slung over one shoulder. "Mr. Schwartz has arranged for a driver to be at your disposal."


    "No need. I have a ride," Juniper replied, popping a piece of candy from a handful she''d grabbed into her mouth. She offered a slight smile. "I''m off."


    Before Dana could say another word, Juniper was gone.


    A ride? Did Ms. Payne even have a driver''s license? Dana had never heard anything about it.


    Just as the question crossed her mind, the roar of an engine echoed from the driveway. She hurried to the balcony and looked down. There was the slender young woman, throwing a leg over an electric scooter and leisurely putting on a helmet.


    Dana had to admit, the scooter was quite stylish—light and chic, perfect for a young woman. A momentter, with a sharp whine, the e-scooter shot forward in a perfect arc, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.


    Dana rubbed her eyes, sure she was seeing things. That little scooter moved with the gut-punching force of a motorcycle. The speed was unreal!


    ...


    Out on the highway, Juniper was on a call with Lue Langley.


    "The manager at Moonlight Peak told me you had dinner with Shanley a few days ago," Lue said, her voice buzzing with excitement. "What''s the deal, Juniper?"


    Weren''t they mortal enemies after that whole bracelet incident? Dinner? Since when was her Juniper so forgiving?


    Juniper adjusted her Bluetooth earpiece, lowering the volume. "It''s...plicated." "Then unplicate it," Lue pressed. "Talk slower if you have to."


    "It''s just not something I can exin easily," Juniper said, feeling a pang of guilt You know my brother is friends with him, right? He just asked Shanley to look after me, then..."


    "What?" Lue''s voice shot up an octave, nearly bursting Juniper''s eardrum. ""Look


    after you?"" Lue smelled a story, her interest piqued. "Don''t tell me you''re living with Shanley now."


    Juniper chewed on her lip, feigning innocence. "My brother arranged it. It had nothing to do with me."


    "Right," Lue scoffed, unconvinced.


    poke i not


    "Forced you? Who in the world could force you to do anything? I seem recall you avoiding men like the gue keeping a ten-foot pole between your and any guy who ?o much as breathes in your direction. And now you''re willing to live with Shanley? Don''t tell me you''re..."


    "I''m not!" Juniper blurted out, nearly biting her tongue.


    "I haven''t even said what it is you''re not. Why so defensive?"


    Juniper was speechless.


    "Juniper, Shanley is not someone to be trifled with," Lue warned, her tone serious. "He''s vtile, ruthless... you should really keep your distance."


    Keep her distance? Juniper pursed her lips. That seemed unlikely now. Habit was a powerful thing, and she''d grown ustomed to Shanley''s care it wasn''t something she could easily give up.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything?" Lue''s voice wasced with panic. "Juniper, are


    you serious? Have you really fallen for him?!"