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…”

have turned into dollar signs as

interest was

Brody had seen Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid

eyes darted around. “She’s a

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then I’ll spill

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

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

was at

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

looks did not matter; high bounties were the

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

not one

kind of bounty hunter would he be if he was

a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile,

as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. “Hey,

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

stood by her side, wisely

spoken, not

warily. “You’d

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

potentially spill the beans – easier to handle

not about to

could not believe

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 do it with ease. Even this potion, I’ve been at it for ages with no

Brody could hardly

just any recognition; it

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

find the antidote for this potion, my respect for you will

on that antidote right now!” And

he could hear was her saying

one-up the Specter Healer? He would be a

was the only

into

really was