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…”

ten times yours!” Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. “Describe Mr.

interest was piqued,

face, a visage not even

eyes darted around. “She’s a dame, about

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then I’ll

Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. “Believe

at the threat. “Do it. Poison me. Then, say

at

of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be

world, looks did not matter; high

a smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut me loose, and

was not one

bounty hunter would he be

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

watched

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

her side, wisely holding his

not even his greed

eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d do that

looks like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you

one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans –

about to let this chance slip

still could not believe it, eyeing her

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

Brody could hardly trust his

just any recognition; it was from the Specter

his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

you can help me find the antidote

get to work on that antidote right now!” And so,

could hear was her saying how much more she would respect

the Specter Healer? He would be

he was convinced, he was the

curled into

was