The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The three chatted in the study, their conversation stretching on for hours. When they emerged, the storm clouds on Flynn’s face were the only tell of the weighty matters they’d discussed.

In the meantime, Vivienne and Imogen had made plans to collaborate on a fashion project—a line of evening dresses that would surely turn heads.

As the three appeared, the women approached them with eager smiles.

“Flynn, darling,” Imogen cooed, linking her arm through his, her voice a whisper of concern, “What’s wrong?”

Flynn offered a wry smile and shook his head, a silent indication that now was not the time for such discussions.

“I’ll take Vivienne home,” Percival announced, taking Vivienne’s hand with a gentlemanly grace.

The evening was creeping in, and with Dorian’s messages asking after her, it was clear Vivienne needed to return to her own abode.

After bidding farewell to Richard and the others, Vivienne and Percival stepped outside where Thomas and Anna were waiting.

“Ms. Vivienne,” Anna began, her tone solemn, “based on Belle’s intel, we located the lab where Calista was working on the Boar Poison. But by the time we got there, they had already evacuated.”

Vivienne nodded, unsurprised. GTO’s mysterious boss would have been the first to sense anything amiss and would have moved Calista to keep the Boar Poison within their control. Yet, the poison did not seem that useful to her—it was curable, after all, and mainly just had a prolonged incubation period that could disfigure a person. She had more lethal toxins at her disposal. Why were they so obsessed with this one?

Regret washed over her as she realized the trouble her past dealings with the poison had caused.

Back then, she traded Fiona only for the medicine in her possession. To her, the medicine was more important than the Boar Poison. Plus, she wanted to know if Fiona would use the Boar Poison on Percival.

However, Fiona never did it. Afterward, due to how occupied Vivienne had been, she had forgotten entirely about the Boar Poison, thus bringing so much trouble.

Thomas opened the car door for them, and as Vivienne and Percival settled inside, he mentioned, “Percival, the boss wants to see you too.”

“Okay.”

Vivienne was safely home, Percival headed to the headquarters. The

the door. “Boss,

in presence, looked up from his desk. His silver hair spoke of years of service, and his

would look just like Micah in time, though Soren was certain their captain would never sport a

Micah gestured, pointing to the sofa with his

“Working late, boss. Is there overtime pay for

“As if

of the coffee. “Delicious. Compliments

are both exceptional. Do you

looked at

boss. He came by today inquiring about Mr. B’s

“And?” Percival prompted.

Mr. B vanished after that press conference at the Ellington estate.

“She’s been under my monitor until three days ago when she went to the launch

thing. Why wasn’t I informed when she had already infiltrated

classified. I

years, and now you’re saying my job is classified? Should I be tried in a military

know you’re upset, Percival, but I’m just following orders.

know, haven’t found her, still looking,” Percival replied, leaning

as Leopold. Fine, get

left swiftly, like a whirlwind passing by Micah’s side. Micah watched him go, a

headquarters,

[Cover’s blown. Stay vigilant.]

a slight curve of her lips. First GTO’s

was getting a bit

her eyes, staring at the three photographs that had popped

person in those photos was intimately linked to the botched