The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne glared at the scene for a solid thirty minutes before she finally averted her gaze.

At that moment, Calista had just danced with the reaper, her toes still dangling over the edge of the abyss.

“Easy there, I just tossed away her eyeball yesterday,” Vivienne remarked dryly, casting a sidelong glance at Brody.

Brody nodded in understanding. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

As they spoke, the poison coursing through Calista’s veins was neutralized.

Vivienne did not linger. She motioned for Anna to follow, and they left the lab.

The moment she shut the door, Brody’s voice boomed from inside, “Vivienne, you’re a real asshole!”

Anna peered through the glass and saw Brody awkwardly propped up on hands and feet, his head stretched upward, resembling a turtle stuck on its back.

“Ms. Vivienne, you sure take revenge promptly,” Anna said with a quiet chuckle, giving Vivienne the thumbs up.

Vivienne flicked her hair dismissively. She was not about to take Brody’s scolding for nothing.

“Let’s go,” she said, looping an arm around Anna’s neck as they exited the lab.

Just as they approached the car, both women tensed and swiftly rolled away to either side.

Two tranquilizer darts thudded into the seat where they had just stood.

Vivienne stood by the car’s rear, her face a storm as she eyed the direction from which the darts had come.

Anna, positioned at the front, looked in the opposite direction with equal vigilance.

Suddenly, operatives wearing the uniforms of the Vanguard Agency special squad emerged from all around, led by none other than Soren.

Clad in tactical gear and goggles, Soren’s surprise was evident even through his battle-hardened facade. “It’s you?”

Vivienne’s expression remained calm and unreadable.

It was clear from Soren’s face that he had only discovered upon arrival that his target was Vivienne.

Interesting.

Vanguard Agency that swore to

before

were after Vivienne. But

Vanguard operative, duty-bound

a frosty glare. “Rejoin

a silent message to Anna, “You’ve been hanging out with

just a few days, the once-sweet girl had adopted Leopold’s

Squad Leader to

are clear: protect Vivienne at all costs,

did not argue further, just sighed heavily. He glanced at the order on his display, then aimed his weapon at Vivienne, “Vivienne Hawthorn, You’re under arrest. Lay down your arms and

her head slightly, “And

“Evidence suggests you’re the mastermind behind CK, known

laughed out loud,

agents. He limped, leaning on a

narrowed on the approaching figure. She had never met him in person, but his face had been etched into

old partner,

700 feet before her and smiled, “You look so much

a lot,” Vivienne replied with a hollow smile, “But let’s skip the trip down memory lane

“Fair point. Let’s talk about the matter at

presented a written

Black Dragon, also known as Fiona, CK’s second in command. Three days ago, she confessed to earn more time outside prison, implicating you in every crime she committed on your orders, and the illicit funds you

“Is

you handed off the Boar Poison to Fiona and the transaction records to the engineer who

again.

Eastlake Bay, all properties in your name, and we’ll be monitoring all your close contacts, including Dorian’s family, the

“So, are you planning to monitor these

flickered, but he did

as good as an

rolled her neck, scanning the circle of agents. “Just so you know, you probably can’t

of your pharmaceutical skills. Your life-saving pills were distributed to everyone here by Percival. We should be resistant to your poisons, right?” Micah smirked slyly

I’d be in a bind because of my own Life-saving pill. But since you’ve partaken, remember to pay

it supposed to be free?” Micah raised his

wrist. “Free for Mr. Wolf, not