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…”

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

was

Mr. B’s face, a visage not even

a dame, about five-six, with

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

me loose, then

shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

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

at

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

looks did not matter;

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

was not one to

of bounty hunter would he be if he

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

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

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

by her side, wisely

had spoken, not even his greed

eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d do

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

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

not about to let this

not believe it, eyeing

secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn’t just in

Brody could hardly trust his

it was from

that his long-time rival

How could that be?

“Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect for you will only

that antidote right now!” And so, with flattery

he could hear was her saying

Specter Healer? He would be a fool to

he was the

into

was an easy