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…”

yours!” Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar

interest was

Mr. B’s face, a visage

a dame, about five-six,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then I’ll

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

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

was at a

any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would

world, looks did not matter; high bounties were the

Brian’s dilemma brought a smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut me loose,

Brian was not one to let go of either

of bounty hunter would he be

a fiddle, then stepped forward

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

give it to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection

her side,

had spoken, not even his

eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d do

I’ll make sure

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

about to let

not believe it, eyeing

her gaze intense. “You’re the most talented 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 to create antidotes, you’d

serious?” Brody could hardly

it was from the

scarcely believe that his long-time rival was

How could that be?

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

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

was her saying how much more she would respect

the Specter Healer? He would be a fool to pass

he was convinced, he was the only one who

curled into a sly

really was an easy