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.

became an impassive mask. “Alright, dinner’s on me

from the crowd, but everyone knew the Vanguard Agency of Rivenwood was under new

headquarters, while Soren

I’m sorry,” Soren said to Percival. Even though he did not like Vivienne, he would never treat

captain of Vanguard Agency’s third special squad, he could not back down even if the target had

him. “It’s

lip, unsure of

appraised him. He seemed stronger than before; his injuries healed. If he were to spar with Anna now, the outcome would be

out, pausing

a salute. “Yes,

look as if to say, “Now you remember who’s your captain, after that earlier outburst, telling

the special squad gone, Vivienne and Percival

the car, Anna was still puzzled. How had Percival

about that, she asked the question out

was against protocol, 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 front line troops.

Leopold’s rambling, Anna grasped a key question. “Who helped

knowing glance and a smile

then asked, “Yeah, who was it? They’ve

too busy celebrating Percival’s promotion to wonder about the benefactor. Now, thanks to Anna’s question, he realized the significance

ranks, any further promotion would be an uphill

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 and Soren. Promotion was no easy task

had been promoted to deputy director while his disciplinary action

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

reached her limit. She slapped the back of the driver’s seat

the pie, for sure. But the real movers and shakers were the

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

two unnamed individuals, it became even more evident that the traitor was

Blue Sky,

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