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…”

Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. “Describe Mr. B

interest was piqued,

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

around. “She’s a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then I’ll spill the

a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

me. Then, say goodbye to Mr.

at

just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s

looks did not matter; high bounties

smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut me

one to let go of

of bounty hunter would he be if he was not

like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile,

as he watched his pilfered potion

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

her side, wisely holding

Vivienne had spoken, not even his greed

eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d

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

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

was not about to

still 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

could

any recognition; it

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival was actually showing him

How could that be?

help me find the antidote

on that antidote right now!” And so, with

saying how much more she

Healer? He

the only one who could unravel the potion’s

lips curled into

was