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…”

might as well have turned into

was

visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid

around. “She’s a

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then I’ll spill the

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

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

was at

Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot

looks did not matter;

smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut me

not one to let go of either

he be if he was not

Brian like a fiddle, then stepped

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

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

her side, wisely

had spoken, not even his greed

Vivienne warily. “You’d do that for

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

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

not about to

still could not believe it, eyeing

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

Brody could hardly trust

any recognition; it was from the Specter Healer

his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

the antidote for this

antidote right now!” And so, with flattery from Vivienne, Brody’s resistance

saying

rare opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He would be a

the only one

into

really was an