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…”

ten times yours!” Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly.

interest was piqued,

think Brody had seen Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the

a dame, about five-six, with chestnut

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then I’ll spill the

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

the threat. “Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B’s bounty, too.

was at a

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

matter; high bounties were the true

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

one to let

would he be if

stepped forward

anguish as he watched his pilfered

to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian’s hunting,” Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her

stood by her side, wisely holding his

spoken, not even his greed could

“You’d do that

course. Just tell me what Mr. B looks like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you

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

was not about to

could not believe it,

“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.

serious?” Brody could

not just any recognition; it was from

believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

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

I’ll get to work on that antidote right now!” And so, with flattery from Vivienne, Brody’s

hear was her saying how much more she would respect

the Specter Healer? He would be a

convinced, he was the only one who could

lips curled into

really was an