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…”

eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched

interest was

face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy

eyes darted around. “She’s a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

loose, then I’ll spill the

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

“Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B’s bounty, too. Go ahead, I dare

was at a

and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a jackpot ten times Brody’s size

matter; high bounties

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

was not one to let go

would he be if he was

Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion hidden on

eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. “Hey, that’s

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

by her side, wisely holding his

not

warily. “You’d

what Mr. B looks like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need for

the only one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill

to let this chance slip

could not believe it, eyeing her

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

could hardly trust his

not just any recognition; it was from the Specter Healer

could scarcely believe that his long-time rival

How could that be?

the antidote for this potion, my respect for you

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

was her saying

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

since he was convinced, he was the only one who could

lips curled into

was