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 signs as he crouched

interest was

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

around. “She’s a dame,

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

you cut me loose, then I’ll spill the

Brian cursed, shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled

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

was at

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

world, looks did not matter; high bounties were the

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

it!” Brian was not one to let go of either

hunter would he be if

then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion

anguish as he watched

a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian’s

stood by her side, wisely holding his

not even his greed could

warily. “You’d do that for

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

only one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially

about to let this chance slip

still could not believe it, eyeing

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

could hardly trust his

it was

long-time rival was

How could that be?

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

now!” And

could hear was her saying how

Healer? He would be a

convinced, he was the only one who could

curled into a sly

really was an