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 signs as he crouched down eagerly. “Describe Mr. B to

was

Mr. B’s face, a visage

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

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

cut me loose, then I’ll spill the

a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. “Believe me, I’ll let Vivienne

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

at

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

world, looks did not matter;

face. “Cut me

not one

he

fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile,

anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from

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

her side, wisely

not even his

“You’d do that

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

B and could potentially spill

to

not believe it, eyeing

Your expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you wanted to create

serious?” Brody could hardly trust his

it was from the

that his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect

antidote right now!” And

saying how much

Specter Healer? He would be a fool to

was the only one who could unravel

curled into a sly

really was an easy