The night was ink-black when Shane Prescott's wrist was seized by a stranger.

The man wore a black baseball cap and a mask covering most of his face, revealing only sharp, piercing eyes. His tall frame moved with agile precision as he dragged Shane through shadowed alleys.

Shane struggled briefly, but the man's grip was unbreakable.

An inexplicable familiarity made him relent.

They moved swiftly through the deserted lanes, the icy night wind biting at their skin—yet the stranger's palm burned like fire.

For a fleeting moment, Shane thought of Luna Valentine.

On a night like this, she had once pulled him from the darkness, her hand clasping his just like this.

"Kyle?" Shane ventured when the man finally halted.

Kyle Grant nodded, guiding him to a black SUV. "Get in. We'll talk inside."

The car's cramped interior offered little comfort. As Kyle started the engine, dark figures flickered in the rearview mirror.

"Reckless," he muttered, jerking the steering wheel. "Isabella is Adrian's bait now."

Shane pulled off his mask. "She's just a woman."

"That 'woman' carries Adrian's leverage in her womb." Kyle pressed the accelerator. "He left her exposed, waiting for you to take the bait."

Shane frowned.

It was true—finding Isabella's hideout had been suspiciously easy.

"Surveillance caught your throwing knives." Kyle glanced at his hands. "Lucky your fingerprints are gone."

The SUV raced down Riverside Drive, the pursuers gradually falling behind.

"Where are you staying tonight?" Kyle asked.

"Moon Bay."

Kyle's grip on the wheel tightened. "I'll bring your things another day."

"Don't bother. I'll get them myself."

As they parted, Kyle suddenly called out, "My door is always open to you."

Shane turned, meeting his deep gaze.

"Why?" The question finally escaped him.

Kyle smiled. "Because we're brothers."

The next morning, Victor Sullivan's call came as expected.

In a private dining room, father and son faced each other across the table.

"Recognize this?" Victor slid a silver throwing knife toward him.

Shane smirked. "Does it have my name on it?"

"Surveillance caught two men in black—"

"Maybe Adrian staged it himself," Shane cut in.

Victor fell silent, unprepared for his usually reticent son's sudden sharpness.

"Isabella isn't worth the risk," Victor tried to placate.

Shane shot to his feet. "Where was this concern when I was thrown to the wolves at birth?"

"There's no proof—"

"Get out!" Shane slammed the door behind him.

Outside, Victor's trembling hands dialed Ethan Sullivan.

When Ethan arrived, Shane was mechanically gnawing on a spicy rabbit head, his expression blank.

"Don't be so impulsive next time." Ethan poured him tea. "Adrian's crossed the line of humanity."

"Your father thinks he's the victim," Shane sneered.

Ethan chuckled. "The old man's always been blind."

Shane clenched his fists, knuckles whitening.