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

was piqued,

face, a visage

a dame, about five-six, with

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

loose, then I’ll

Brian cursed, shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again.

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

was at

Mr. B’s

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

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

not one

kind of bounty hunter would he

then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion hidden

anguish as he watched his pilfered potion

to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian’s hunting,” Vivienne said, toying with the potion in

her side, wisely holding

had spoken, not even

eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d do that for

I’ll make sure you have everything you need for

could potentially spill

not about to let this

still could not believe it, eyeing

Your expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you

serious?” Brody could hardly trust

it was from the

believe that his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect for

on that antidote right now!” And so, with

he could hear was her saying how much more she would respect

opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He

since he was convinced, he was the only one

into a sly

was an