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…”

turned into dollar signs as he

was

a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid

“She’s a

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then I’ll spill

Brian cursed, shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye

was at

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

looks did not matter; high

brought a smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut

not one to let go of

bounty hunter would he

Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a

he watched

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

her side,

spoken, not even his greed

warily. “You’d do that for

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

could potentially spill the beans – easier to handle than a wildcard like

to

could not believe it, eyeing

one who can unlock the secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you wanted

serious?” Brody could

any recognition; it was from the Specter Healer

scarcely believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

me find the antidote for this potion,

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

saying how much more

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

was the

lips curled into a

was an easy