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

Vivienne silent, Soren paused before addressing Anna, “Anna, rejoin

not understand why they were after

Vanguard operative, duty-bound to

him a frosty

Anna, “You’ve been hanging out with Leopold

just a few days, the once-sweet girl

you as Squad Leader to

from Commander Percival are clear: protect Vivienne

the order on his display, then aimed his weapon at Vivienne, “Vivienne

head slightly,

suggests you’re the mastermind

laughed out loud,

emerged from behind the Vanguard agents. He

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

mother’s old

stopped about 700 feet before her and smiled, “You look

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

point. Let’s talk about the matter

presented a written

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 transferred using Commander

nodded. “Is

another page, “Here’s footage from the club where you handed off the Boar Poison to Fiona and the transaction records to the engineer who attempted to take out Carl. Only your fingerprint could authorize that transfer.

nodded again. “You’re

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

laugh. “So, are you planning

flickered, but he did not

as

the circle of agents. “Just so you know, you

should be resistant to your

But since you’ve partaken, remember to pay up. Five

to be free?” Micah raised

wrist. “Free for Mr. Wolf, not for you—we’re