The subordinate''s smile froze. Suddenly, the bank card he''d been bribed with didn''t seem so appealing.


    Juniper moved swiftly.


    She grabbed her sidearm along the way, her entire aura radiating a terrifying, bone- chilling hostility. She fully expected a bloodbath with an enemy syndicate.


    But when she reached the main gate, there was no rival gang.


    Instead, parked under the dim streetlights, was a familiar car. And leaning against it was an all-too-familiar silhouette.


    "Happy New Year."


    Dressed in a sharp ck trench coat, Shanley held a stunning bouquet of blue roses. He looked slightly exhausted, standing under the amber glow of the lights, but his eyes were filled with overwhelming affection as they locked onto hers.


    "I know it''s a bitte, but hopefully not toote."


    Juniper froze. She stared at the man who was supposed to be in Borealia with his family. For a second, she couldn''t tell if she was dreaming.


    *Tsk.* A rival gang indeed. Subterra Vanguard''s absolute biggest rival.


    "Cat got your tongue?"


    Shanley walked up to her, his hand gently wrapping over the gun she was gripping. His voice wasced with helpless amusement. "Safety''s off? Were you nning to shoot me?"


    "What are you doing here?" Juniper stood rooted to the spot, the freezing wind bringing her back to reality.


    "As soon as the family dinner ended, I got on a ne to ring in the new year with you." Shanley slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, his voice a low,forting rumble. "I still missed midnight, though."


    Juniper stared at him, speechless.


    So... the reason she couldn''t reach him was because he was in the air?


    *Well, he could have said something.* She had spent thest several hours mentally cursing him out with every creative insult she knew.


    "Why aren''t you with your family?" Juniper finally found her voice, moistening her lips. "We agreed to see each other after the holiday season."


    She had grown up an orphan; she knew exactly how lonely the holidays could be without family. Besides, the Schwartz family only had him and Kurt. His grandparents naturally wanted their grandsons around.


    "I don''t need to be."


    Shanley smoothly took the gun from her and slipped it into his pocket before wrapping his arms around her "If


    waist, Wim spending tigre With


    family, it has to be fair. I spent time with them, and now I''m spending time with you."


    "Besides..." He leaned down, brushing his forehead against hers. "If they hadn''t been worried about interrupting your reunion with your crew, they would have kicked me out before dinner even ended. They told met needed an official title before I''m allowed back."


    In fact, before he had even finished his meal, Hannah had practically snatched his


    te away, insisting that Juniper must be missing him.


    "Happy New Year, Juniper," Shanley murmured again, his tone solemn and incredibly sincere.


    "This is our first New Year together. Are you happy?"


    "Yeah."


    It took Juniper a long moment to


    process the emotional whish


    Finally finding her voice, she allowed a small smile to touch her lips. Happy New Year


    Meanwhile, in the main hall.


    Jimmie and Melvin were staying up, chatting aimlessly as the hours passed.


    "Not having to watch that Schwartz guy be all over her... my mood has drastically improved," Melvin remarked.


    "Enjoy it while itsts," Jimmie replied dryly. "He''ll probably show up tomorrow." "You think he''s that desperate?"


    "The desperate one is her. Without him around, she''s been wandering the halls like a ghost."


    "Fine," Melvin sneered, a wicked glint in his eye. "We''re all here anyway. If he dares to show up, I''m making him sleep in the doghouse."


    There were no spare rooms at the base anyway, and they certainly weren''t going to let him sleep in Juniper''s room.


    Outside the door, Juniper''s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.


    To avoid the ensuing chaos, she turned around, led Shanley to the side of the building, and made him climb up the balcony trellis to her window.


    "Sneaking around in the dark... feels a bit scandalous," Shanley whispered, a wicked smirk on his lips as he hoisted himself over the railing.


    "Sleeping in the doghouse would be even more scandalous," she deadpanned. Shanley''s smirk vanished.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!