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…”

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

interest was piqued,

B’s face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid

around. “She’s a

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose,

swelled again. “Believe me, I’ll let Vivienne

unfazed, scoffed at the threat. “Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr.

was at a

of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot ten times Brody’s size – was

world, looks did not matter; high bounties

face. “Cut me

not one to let go of

bounty hunter would he be if he was

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

were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken

can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from

stood by her side,

had spoken, not even

“You’d

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

only one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill

to

could not believe it, eyeing her

the most 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

serious?” Brody could hardly trust

it was from

believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

antidote for this potion,

now!” And so, with flattery from Vivienne, Brody’s resistance

could hear was her saying

to one-up the Specter Healer? He would be a fool to pass it

the only one who could unravel

curled into a sly

was an