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…”

as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down

interest was piqued,

Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the

“She’s a

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

cut me loose, then I’ll spill

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

me. Then, say goodbye

at a

and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which

Brian’s world, looks did not matter; high bounties

to Brody’s face. “Cut me loose, and you have

it!” Brian was not one to let go of either

hunter would he be if

fiddle, then stepped forward with a

were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him.

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

stood by her side, wisely

Vivienne had spoken, not even

Vivienne warily. “You’d do

and I’ll make

potentially spill the beans – easier to handle

to let this

still could not believe it,

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 ease. Even this potion,

serious?” Brody could hardly trust his

not just any recognition; it was from the Specter

his long-time rival was actually showing

How could that be?

help me find the antidote for this potion,

work on that antidote right now!”

saying how much more

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

he was the only one who could

into a sly

really was an