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…”

turned into dollar signs as he crouched down

interest was piqued,

a visage not even the likes of Quincy

a dame, about five-six,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose,

confidence swelled again. “Believe me,

“Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to

was at a

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

did not matter; high bounties were

face. “Cut me loose, and you have my

it!” Brian was not one to let go of

bounty hunter would he be if

stepped forward with a

as he watched his pilfered potion

to continue your research and

stood by her side, wisely holding his

Vivienne had spoken, not even

“You’d do that

I’ll make sure you have everything you

Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans – easier to handle than a wildcard

about to let

still could not believe it, eyeing her

this potion. Your expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you wanted to create antidotes, you’d do

Brody could hardly trust

was not just any recognition; it was from the Specter

his long-time

How could that be?

nodded. “Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this potion,

to work on that antidote right now!” And so, with flattery from Vivienne, Brody’s resistance

was her saying how much more she would

He would

was the only one who could unravel the

lips curled into a

really was an easy