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…”

yours!” Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar

interest was

face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid eyes

around. “She’s a dame, about five-six, with

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then

glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

“Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B’s

was at a

Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot ten

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

smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut

not one to let go of

hunter would he be

stepped forward with a

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

continue your research and protection

by her side, wisely

not

Vivienne warily. “You’d do that for

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

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

to let this chance slip

could not believe

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

could

recognition; it was

that his long-time

How could that be?

find the antidote for this potion, my respect for you will only

now!” And so, with

her saying how much more

Healer? He would

he was convinced, he was the only one who could

lips curled into a

was an easy