Before she even fully lay down, she shot back up. "How are the vehicles coming along? I need to ask Felton!"

Her feet hadn't even touched the floor before Shanley wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her firmly back into his embrace.

"The vehicles are all taken care of." Shanley rested his chin on the top of her head, his warm breath fanning her neck. "Go to sleep," he murmured soothingly. "We have more important things to do tomorrow."

"But..."

Juniper frowned. She wanted to know the exact details. The moment she opened her mouth, the man suddenly rolled over, sealing her lips with his to silence her protests.

Juniper hadn't slept much in three days. Her nerves were tightly strung, and the sudden kiss sent her mind into a whirlwind.

Before she knew it, she drifted into a hazy, exhausted sleep.

When she woke again, it was bright outside.

Shanley was no longer beside her, and his side of the bed had gone cold.

Juniper paused, then grabbed her phone to call him.

It went straight to voicemail.

Turned off?

Shanley never turned off his phone.

Her expression shifted. Throwing off the covers, she bolted downstairs without even putting on her slippers.

She reached the doorway just in time to crash into a man in loungewear, carrying a tray of breakfast.

Shanley lowered his gaze, his brow furrowing when he saw her bare feet.

He shifted the tray to his left hand, leaned down, and effortlessly scooped her up with his right, carrying her back to the bed.

"I thought..." Juniper mumbled, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thought what?"

Shanley set her down gently. Crouching in front of her, his eyes were soft. "Did you think I'd break my promise and sneak off on a suicide mission?"

Juniper bit her lower lip, staying silent.

Yes.

That was exactly what she thought. There was no way this man was going to play by the rules.

"I went to make you breakfast," Shanley chuckled softly, picking up a warm pastry to feed her. "Eat up. Coralie will be over to keep you company in a bit."

According to the plan, he had to make an appearance at the Sigma Network base today.

"Coralie?" Juniper blinked in confusion. "Wasn't it supposed to be Ebony Fox?"

"It was supposed to be her, but

Jimmie held her back," Shanley said,

in surprisingly good spirits "She has,

too much of a temper. He was worried she'd ruin things by dragging you out into the fray."

"She wouldn't do that." Juniper pursed her lips, shooting a guilty glance at the man.

Her denial sounded entirely unconvincing.

Shanley just smiled, not calling her out on it.

In truth, both were feeling immense pressure but forcing themselves to smile just to put the other at ease.

After breakfast, Coralie knocked on the door of the Cloudscape Community residence.

She walked in first, followed closely by her handsome toy boy, Channing Irving, who was carrying a few shopping bags.

"Coralie," Juniper greeted from under her blanket. Her eyes landed on Channing, and she hesitated.

What was she supposed to call this guy?

Brother-in-law?

That didn't feel right!

Her toy boy?

That felt a bit rude!

While Juniper was debating and awkwardly making eye contact with him, Coralie spoke up first. "Put the stuff down and you can go."

"...Okay."

The young man pressed his thin lips together, a flash of loneliness in his eyes. He set the bags down and reluctantly backed toward the door.

Before leaving, he couldn't help

add, "Your stomach has been acet

up lately Stay away from spicy food, and don't drink anything too cold."

"You're so annoying." Coralie rolled her eyes. *Smack.* She shut the door right in his face.

Juniper licked her lips, pretending to be curious. "Isn't it a bit harsh to treat him like that?"

"I told him to leave, and he stuck around." Aflicker of awkwardness crossed Coralie's face, though she kept her tone breezy. "This is just

how am. If he can't handle

he

car leave

Anyway.

Sooner or later, he wouldn't be able to take it and he'd walk away.

Why bother saving face for either of them?