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…”

into dollar signs as he crouched

was piqued,

visage not even the likes of

a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose,

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

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

at

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

Brian’s world, looks did not matter; high

Brody’s face. “Cut me loose,

one to let

would he be

a fiddle, then stepped forward

as he watched his pilfered potion taken

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

her side, wisely holding

Vivienne had spoken, not

Vivienne warily. “You’d do

make sure you have everything you need for your experiments,” Vivienne replied

Mr. B and could potentially

to let this chance

still could not believe it, eyeing her

poison master I’ve ever 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

serious?” Brody could hardly trust his

not just any recognition; it was from the

scarcely believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

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

get to work on that antidote right now!” And

could hear was her saying how much

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

was the only

curled into a

was an easy