The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Aaron eyed Kenneth with a frosty gaze.

“Spit it out. I don’t have all day for your blather,” he said, not in the mood for Kenneth’s usual nonsense.

Kenneth fell silent momentarily, then muttered, “Word on the street is you played the hero for Vivienne. Right now, my brother Percival is probably playing doctor with her in the hospital room; might as well be swapping spit already.”

Aaron bolted upright, nearly tearing his stitches. “What did you say? Vivienne is so young. Has Percival no shame?”

“Oh, don’t pin it on my brother. It’s Vivienne who’s been throwing herself at him!” Kenneth’s face darkened instantly.

“Bullshit!” Aaron snapped back.

“I don’t spout crap like you do!” Kenneth retorted coldly.

Aaron took a breath, trying to keep his cool. “What exactly do you want to tell me?”

Kenneth glanced back at the closed door of the ward, then leaned in closer to Aaron as if sharing a secret.

Aaron pushed him away, disgusted. “We’re alone in here. Just get to the point.”

“What if we team up to keep Vivienne away from my brother? What do you say?” Kenneth was not skulking around anymore; he had had this idea for quite some time.

Aaron’s actions had proved his deep feelings for Vivienne, making him the perfect ally in Kenneth’s plot to break her away from Percival.

Aaron eyed Kenneth skeptically. “Team up? How?”

They whispered back and forth until Mark strolled in with a doctor.

Kenneth’s presence surprised Mark as much as Bennett and the others earlier.

“Kenneth, here to see Aaron, are you? Thanks for caring,” Mark said, the picture of warmth.

With Mark’s return, it was Kenneth’s cue to leave without making it awkward.

He slapped Aaron on the shoulder, “No need for formalities, we’re all brothers here!”

eager for him to leave. “Get

hand, shooting Aaron meaningful glances, his

suddenly wondering if teaming up with

then,” Kenneth said, exiting

doctor gave Aaron a thorough

beside the bed, he looked at his son with concern. “Don’t be so reckless next time. What if something

his father more as a means to an end to become the Miller

not the one to

further, as he never intended to heed Mark’s words

bash, right?” Aaron changed

temper softened. “Yes, what about

me with you,” Aaron said,

surprised. “You want

challenged, “Or do you think my status as a bastard son isn’t

grand affair in the Ellington family, with

many business deals were sealed at the

and delighting Mark, who said, “I didn’t mean that, Aaron. I’m happy you want

the topic and

he stayed silent, aware that Aaron was not quick

…

and he would have left

needed more time to heal, and even though Vivienne had mended his leg,

Thomas indisposed, Leopold

Mr. Ellington? Are you short on chauffeurs?” Leopold

“What’s the problem?

know you were whisking away Vivienne. Now

stopped, not

watch them

His patience had limits!

restraint not to

now to

had mentioned how often those two kissed in the car. Every ride was guaranteed to have

was not a masochist, seeking

his cufflink. “I hear there’s an