Shanley let out a helpless chuckle. He gently scooped the girl into his arms, softly comforting her. "If he just handed over all his secrets, how would he stay hidden?"

Sanctum Holdings was no ordinary operation.

"I literally blew up your research base for this!" Juniper balled her hands into fists, her eyes red with frustration.

"Feeling bad for me?" Shanley immediately understood why she was so upset. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Juniper bit her lip, refusing to say a word.

Of course she felt bad. It broke her heart. The fireworks show might have been pretty, but it cost them billions.

"If you feel that bad for me, you could always compensate me in other ways," Shanley murmured, lifting her fingers to his lips and kissing them softly, his tone loaded with implication.

Juniper stared at him blankly. "How exactly am I supposed to compensate you? Just to be clear, if you want money, I don't have a dime!"

"I don't need money. I just need you." With a slight tug, Shanley pulled her smoothly onto his lap so they were face-to-face. "Do you catch my drift?"

Juniper wasn't in the mood for his teasing. She was still fuming over Corvus.

"Look at you..." Seeing how oblivious she was acting, Shanley sighed with a smile and leaned in to capture her lips.

When it came to this sort of thing, he always had to take the lead. If he waited for this girl to initiate anything... he'd probably go his whole life without ever getting past first base.

Just as Shanley leaned in, entirely prepared to claim his 'compensation,' the girl in his arms suddenly shoved him away. She jumped up, pacing like a caged tiger.

"No! I can't let this slide. I'm going to go kill him right now."

Shanley's chin took a direct hit as she shoved him, making him wince in pain.

"Calm down." He grabbed her wrist, gently stroking her hair to soothe her. "Binary Oracle is already tracing Sanctum Holdings' location. We'll have a lead soon enough. Besides, the fact that he showed up means he genuinely wants to make a deal."

"Hmph." Juniper huffed, plopping back onto the sofa. She looked up, her thick lashes fluttering over here clear slightly red eyes. First, he made me blow up your base Next, he's probably going to tell me to blow you up."

Exactly. The guy's manipulative schemes were practically stamped on his forehead.

"And would you?" Shanley asked, sounding like he was listening to a joke. Like he wasn't the target in question.

Juniper glared at him, her brows knitting together fiercely.

"If killing me was the only way to ensure the safety of society..." Shanley thought

about it for a second, then asked lightly, "Would you kill me, Juniper?"

Juniper stayed silent, her expression shifting from irritation to something deeply solemn.

"If it really came down to that..."

"I would kill you," Juniper cut him off, speaking very slowly. "If it truly came down to it, I would kill you."

Shanley looked at her calmly. He knew she meant every single word.

"But after I killed you, once the crisis was over... I'd come find you."

Juniper took a step forward. Her

slender fingers grabbed his tie, twisting the silk around her finger around her finger playfully as a smile touched her lips "Any man I claim belongs to me in life, he dies, his ghost belongs to me too. Even if we end up in hell, you'll still be tied to me."

"Aren't you a little possessive?" Shanley picked her up and set her gently on his desk. He leaned in, planting his hands on either side of her, trapping her entirely in his space. His voice was dark and raspy.

"When the fate of the world is on the line, there's no room for romance," Juniper said, her red lips curving into a smirk.

"Fair enough." Shanley's thumb brushed against her cheek, and he mirrored her smile. "When you kill me... just don't ruin my face, alright?"