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…”

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

interest was piqued,

Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy

darted around. “She’s a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

cut me loose, then I’ll spill the

confidence swelled again. “Believe me, I’ll

“Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B’s bounty, too.

at

walk and, with it, any leads on Mr.

matter;

to Brody’s face. “Cut me loose, and you have my

Brian was not one to let

hunter would he be

Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his

give it to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian’s hunting,”

her side, wisely holding

had spoken, not even his greed

warily. “You’d

course. Just tell me what Mr. B looks like, and I’ll make sure you have

was the only one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially

to let

believe it, eyeing

earned a place in my collection, and you’re the only one who can unlock the secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn’t

Brody could hardly trust

was not just any recognition; it was from

his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

if you can help me find the antidote for

I’ll get to work on that antidote right now!” And so, with

saying how much

opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He

since he was convinced, he was the

into a sly

really was an easy