The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

On the other side of town, nestled within a leafy suburb, Vivienne received a call from Rivenwood.

It was Griffin on the line.

“Vivienne, I’ve made another delivery of ‘Morning Glory’ to the Vanguard Agency just a few days ago. They’ve been dispatched already, but they went straight to HQ this time without going through Micah.”

Vivienne nodded in understanding. “How’s the detector coming along?”

Griffin seemed to breathe a little easier. “The prototype’s there, but we haven’t been able to test it fully. After all, I’ve only managed to create a new type of bomb based on the model we have. We need to find the ones already planted by GTO to ensure it can actually detect them.”

They had only found a model of the new bomb in Eastlake Bay. Though Griffin could replicate it, there was no certainty that it was identical to the ones GTO had developed.

Only an on-site test would prove that.

What they could test at the base was far from conclusive.

“Mmm,” Vivienne murmured. “Having a prototype is better than nothing. Ideally, it should be a universal detector that can pick up your latest ‘Morning Glory’ creation.”

“Don’t worry, Vivienne, I’ve got this,” Griffin reassured her, “The specifics of the ‘Morning Glory’ are already programmed into the detector model, and those tests have been successful.”

Hearing Griffin’s confidence, Vivienne felt a measure of relief. “Any other business at the base?”

Griffin picked up on her subtext, replying, “Nothing more. I’ve booked a flight, and we’ll land in Sea City in three days.”

“We?” Vivienne’s interest was piqued.

Charlotte was busy with her studies and special training; she had no time to travel.

Griffin was not known for having many friends.

Yet, she was talking about coming to Sea City with “we”!

A bit embarrassed, Griffin’s voice lowered on the other end. “It’s that Husky. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, claiming it was his boss’ order to ensure the safety of the special agents. Spouted a whole list of reasons.”

Vivienne chuckled, teasingly offering, “If you don’t like him, you can always request someone else.”

“No, I… Vivienne, you’re teasing me again!”

With Griffin’s voice shifting shyly, Vivienne decided not to push further. “Alright, I’ll pick you guys up in three days. Just the two of you?”

“And Anna.”

to Anna, who sighed heavily and said, “Ms.

Vivienne smiled, ending the call with a

approached her,

he check in with you? Griffin said

thoughtfully. “Not

sidelong at him.

head. “Just a hunch. Thomas is short on people. I thought about calling

Vivienne

I’ve set up shop in Sea City and gathered the men of the Nine Mystics Society. Awaiting

[Vivienne, the Boyds have put in a request with Frostfire Intelligence Agency, looking for the Specter Healer for bone-setting and a back injury. They’re willing

at that.

message, Percival stated flatly, “Reject

chin in her hand, Vivienne’s eyes glinted mischievously.

just chopped off her hand, and now you want

lips. “Vivienne, as I recall,

“Of course I’m

replied to Matthew, [Five hundred billion for the

Percival stared, dumbfounded.

suspected! Money was indeed, above all, in

the message, Vivienne smiled at Percival and scrolled through her phone for the following

head of the Boyd family, to join Percival at a

The host was Patrick.

Vivienne’s expression turned contemplative.

her hand and already wanted to attend a

old and

you think you’ll be able to use the

“Vivienne, if you keep looking at me like that, I

path down Percival’s shirt collar, murmuring provocatively, “Then why not use

crashing against the rocks, an

closed around her delicate wrist, the

gazes locked, the depths of

from within, raw and unguarded, spreading like a

for too long, holding back amidst peril after

could set off an

his embrace, his kiss searing with such intensity that it threatened

his touch without

radiating endless tenderness