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…”

eyes might as well have turned into dollar

interest was

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

a

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

cut me loose, then I’ll spill

a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. “Believe

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

at a

idea of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot ten times Brody’s size – was

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

a smirk to Brody’s face.

one to let

of bounty hunter would he

then stepped

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered

give it to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your

stood by her side, wisely holding

not even his greed could

Vivienne warily. “You’d

what Mr. B looks like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need for

could potentially spill the beans – easier to handle than a wildcard

was not about to let this chance

still could not believe it, eyeing

expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you wanted to create antidotes, you’d do it with ease. Even this potion, I’ve been

could hardly trust

any recognition; it

believe that his long-time

How could that be?

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

that antidote right now!” And so, with

hear was her saying how much

rare opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He

he was the only one who could unravel the

curled into a

really was an easy