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.

that swore to protect the nation and its

paused before addressing

after Vivienne. But she was now a

Vanguard

a frosty glare. “Rejoin my

to Anna, “You’ve

the once-sweet girl had adopted Leopold’s brash

Leader to fall back into line!” Soren

are clear: protect Vivienne at all costs,

on his display, then aimed his weapon at Vivienne, “Vivienne Hawthorn, You’re

head slightly, “And the

pursed his lips. “Evidence suggests you’re the mastermind behind CK,

out

He limped, leaning on a cane, his left leg clearly

never met him in person, but his face had been etched into

mother’s old partner,

smiled, “You look so much like your mother,

a hollow smile, “But let’s skip the trip down memory lane and

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

a

to earn more time

nodded. “Is there

Boar Poison to Fiona and the transaction records to the engineer who attempted to take out

nodded again. “You’re

Eastlake Bay, all properties in

finally let out a laugh. “So, are you planning to monitor these people or

but

silence was as

rolled her neck, scanning the circle of agents. “Just so you

Percival. We should be resistant to your poisons, right?” Micah smirked slyly at Vivienne, the cunning in his eyes

But since you’ve partaken, remember to pay up. Five million a pop, but for Mr.

it supposed to be free?”

“Free for Mr. Wolf, not for