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…”

have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly.

was piqued,

Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy

a dame, about

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then I’ll spill the

at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

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

at a

on Mr. B’s

world, looks did not matter;

dilemma brought a smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut

it!” Brian was not one to let

of bounty hunter would he be if he

Brian like a fiddle, then stepped

watched his pilfered potion taken from

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

by her side, wisely holding

had spoken, not even his greed could

warily. “You’d do that for

like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need for your experiments,”

potentially

to let

believe

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

could hardly trust his

any recognition; it was

that his long-time rival was

How could that be?

nodded. “Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect

right now!” And

could hear was her saying how much

He would be a fool to pass

convinced, he was the only one who could unravel the

lips curled into a sly

was an