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…”

into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly.

interest was

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

a dame, about five-six, with

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then I’ll spill the

a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

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

at

it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot ten

matter; high

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

one to let go

bounty hunter would he be if he

fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a

were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. “Hey,

give it to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from

by her side,

Vivienne had spoken, not

warily. “You’d do

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

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

not about to let

could not believe

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.

Brody could hardly

not just any recognition; it was from the

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

if you can help me find the antidote for this

get to work on that antidote right now!” And so, with flattery from Vivienne,

could hear was her saying

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

convinced, he was the only one who could unravel the potion’s

lips curled into

really was an