The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Brody snorted coldly at Vivienne. “Just you wait. I’ll concoct a poison that makes yours look like cherry soda, and you won’t even know what hit you when you’re lying six feet under!”

Without missing a beat, Brian’s hand connected with a resounding smack to the back of Brody’s head. “What’s with that tone? You talking to Vivienne like that? Looking for a knuckle sandwich?”

“You already gave me one!” Brody roared back.

Brian, unimpressed, hoisted Brody up by his collar and started fiddling with his face, poking and prodding. “Your face is quite real, isn’t it?”

Right now, Brody was tied up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey, unable to make any moves, much less poison anyone. His sharp tongue was about the only weapon he had left.

Seizing a moment of distraction, Brody sank his teeth into Brian’s finger. “This is my real face!”

Instantly, Brian’s finger started to turn a shade of purple as vivid as a ripe eggplant.

Vivienne casually dusted some powder on Brian’s hand, then looked at Brody. “You’re quite the spring chicken.”

She had to admit Brody’s disguise was top-notch.

Back in the loony bin, she had not even realized he was in disguise.

She had truly thought that the nerdy loser look was Brody’s actual face.

Tsk.

She had underestimated her adversary.

“The secret’s in the moisturizer!” Brody panted, plopping onto the floor. “Brian, cut me loose. I’m a small fry, really. I’ve got bigger fish for you.”

Brian’s interest was piqued, poison forgotten. “Bigger fish? Who?”

Brody wiggled a bit. “Untie me first.”

“Spill first,” Brian retorted, unmoved.

Brody took a deep breath, feeling like a caged lion taunted by mutts.

“Ever heard of GTO? They’ve got a second-in-command, who goes by Mr. B. I’ve seen her. The bounty on her head…”

well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. “Describe Mr. B

interest was piqued,

Brody had seen Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the

a dame, about five-six, with

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then I’ll spill

glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. “Believe me, I’ll let Vivienne

at the threat. “Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B’s bounty, too. Go ahead,

at a

just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s

Brian’s world, looks did not matter; high bounties

to Brody’s face. “Cut

was not one to let go of

would he be if

Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with

he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. “Hey,

a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian’s

stood by her side,

had spoken, not even his

Vivienne warily. “You’d

I’ll make

seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans –

was not about to let this

still could not believe it, eyeing

place in my collection, and you’re the only one who can unlock the secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you wanted to create antidotes, you’d do it with ease. Even this potion, I’ve been at it for

could

any recognition; it was from

that his long-time rival was actually

How could that be?

if you can help me find the antidote

work on that antidote right now!”

was her saying how much more she would respect

the Specter Healer? He would be a

was convinced, he was the only one who could unravel the

into

was an