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…”

might as well have turned into

interest was piqued,

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

a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then

confidence swelled again.

Then, say goodbye

at a

any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot ten times Brody’s size –

Brian’s world, looks did not matter;

brought a smirk to Brody’s face.

not one to

bounty hunter would he be if he was

fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion

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

lab to continue your research

her side, wisely

not even

“You’d do that for

what Mr. B looks like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need for your experiments,” Vivienne replied

one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans – easier to handle than a wildcard like

about to let this

could not believe it, eyeing

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

Brody could hardly trust his

any recognition; it was from

believe that his long-time rival was actually showing him

How could that be?

help me find the antidote for this potion, my

that antidote right now!”

saying how much more she would respect

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

since he was convinced, he was the only one

lips curled into

was an