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…”

times yours!” Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as

interest was

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

eyes darted around. “She’s a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then I’ll

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

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

at

letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which

did not matter; high bounties were the true

Brian’s dilemma brought a smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut me loose,

it!” Brian was not one to let go

kind of bounty hunter would he be if he was not

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

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken

to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your

her side,

spoken, not even his

eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d do that for

like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need for your experiments,” Vivienne

and could potentially spill

was not about to let this chance

still could not believe it, eyeing her

talented poison master I’ve ever seen. Your concoctions have earned a 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 ages with

serious?” Brody could hardly

it was from the Specter Healer

his long-time rival was actually showing him

How could that be?

me find the antidote for

that antidote right now!” And so,

could hear was her saying how much more she

opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He would

convinced, he was the only one who

into a

was an