The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Micah scrutinized each document that Percival had brought in. It was all there: the irrefutable evidence that exonerated Vivienne, Fiona’s confession to setting her up, and Calista’s damning testimony on how she had stolen Vivienne’s fingerprints and plotted a murder in the OR.

Without a doubt, Vivienne was innocent.

With an indifferent curl of his slightly chapped lips, Micah returned the papers to Percival. “Good job,” he said, the understatement hanging between them like a silent applause.

Percival locked eyes with Micah, his mentor at the Vanguard Agency, second only to Karen in authority. A crooked smile formed on his lips. “I think so too. I did do a damn good job!”

Their gaze held for a heavy moment, neither man breaking the silence.

The air grew thick with tension.

Leopold, Thomas, and Soren, who was standing off to the side, all watched Micah intently. They knew Micah had been obstructing their every move, sidelining the Vanguard Agency, and keeping everyone out of the loop—everyone except Soren, whom he had left in the dark about the true purpose of their mission.

Those who made it into the Vanguard Agency were no fools; Micah’s actions were purposeful. But the question that hung over them was why he targeted Vivienne and Percival. Was it a personal vendetta, or were there strings being pulled from behind the scenes?

After what seemed an eternity, Micah finally broke into a grin. “Well, the higher-ups have spoken. Vivienne is free to go.”

He paused before adding, “But let’s be clear, she might not be so lucky next time. If she’s tangled up with CK, I won’t look the other way, not even for you.”

Percival chuckled. “There won’t be a next time. If Vivienne ever breaks the law, you won’t need to get involved. I’ll bring her in myself, Micah.”

How he would ‘bring her in’ was another matter entirely.

Micah’s eyes narrowed, his voice chilling. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

In the past, Percival would have addressed him as ‘boss,’ but now, not even that courtesy was extended. The kid had grown up, out of his control.

Adjusting his goggles, Percival did not linger. Instead, he waved to his brothers-in-arms. “Wrap it up. Micah’s buying dinner tonight.”

Now at equal footing with Micah as a deputy director and head of the special squad, Percival’s word was law. The team responded enthusiastically, though a few still looked to Micah for confirmation.

of silence, Micah’s face became an impassive mask. “Alright, dinner’s

everyone knew the Vanguard Agency of

the first to leave for headquarters, while

said to Percival. Even though he did not like

But as the captain of Vanguard Agency’s third special squad, he could not back down

merely glanced at him. “It’s your

lip, unsure of

before; his injuries healed. If he were to spar with Anna

a few seconds of silence, Soren led his squad out, pausing only to say to Anna, “Back

snapped a salute. “Yes,

you remember who’s your

Vivienne and Percival also headed back to

the car, Anna was still puzzled. How had Percival become the deputy

she asked the question out

but someone big vouched for him, saying he may be young, but his record and education are top-notch. Without a promotion, they’d risk demoralizing the

rambling, Anna grasped a key question. “Who helped from the

and Vivienne shared a knowing glance and

“Yeah, who was it? They’ve got some serious

celebrating Percival’s promotion to wonder about the benefactor. Now, thanks to Anna’s question,

further promotion would be an uphill

some astonishing achievements, he would have to wait for Percival to be transferred to have a chance at the position of captain. Even so, he would still have to compete with Thomas

had been promoted to deputy director while his disciplinary action was

Percival stayed mum, almost driving Leopold so angry he could barely keep driving. The mystery of the benefactor had just added another layer of intrigue to their already complex

had reached her limit. She slapped the back of

her fingers in the pie, for sure. But the real movers

to their inside help, Percival managed to get the news of Belle’s arrest back to headquarters,

even more evident that the traitor

Sky, and

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