Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 963

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 black 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 bit late, but hopefully not too late."

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 was laced with helpless amusement. "Safety's off? Were you planning 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 plane to ring in the new year with you." Shanley slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, his voice a low, comforting 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 the last 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."

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