The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gillian was teetering on the brink of reason. The potency of the drugged aroma filling the room was enough to trigger tsunamis of the mind with a mere whiff.

With a fevered motion, Gillian kicked off the blankets wrapped around her, tugging at Patrick’s sleeve with a hazy consciousness. “It’s so hot, so incredibly hot.”

Her stunning figure was on full display, leaving nothing to the imagination of the onlookers.

From a distance, Vivienne and Anna stood side by side, watching the scene unfold.

“Damn, she’s got a killer body,” Vivienne remarked, her eyes then shifting to Anna’s less curvaceous form. “Ah, well.”

Anna blushed. “Ms. Vivienne, please, behave yourself!”

“Girl, I didn’t even say anything. Why are you turning red?” Vivienne teased, playfully tilting Anna’s chin.

Anna stepped back, quickly tapping into Percival’s comms, “Captain Wolf, where are you?”

Percival clipped the last yellow wire, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. “Get over here. I’ve found the new bomb.”

Vivienne and Anna’s expressions darkened, the jesting gone in an instant. They fought through the crowd and burst into the guest room.

By then, Patrick had knocked Gillian out and re-wrapped her in the blankets.

He was utterly clueless about what was happening!

Mara was equally bewildered. What on earth was going on?

Why had Gillian been thrown out, and what were Vivienne and that waiter doing going back in?

Was Gillian not supposed to be drugged with Percival by now, having…

Back in the room, Percival examined the new bomb, now defused in his hands.

Vivienne approached, her expression relaxing.

was a major breakthrough – it would save them

development of this new bomb and the detector had been burning through cash

family, Vivienne could not just stay entirely out of it and not pay a penny, and

to keep dissecting bomb structures. They could just program the

Wolf, you’re amazing!” Vivienne handed the bomb to Anna, then flung herself

money – rosy-cheeked and

visibly relieved Percival managed a smile, ruffling Vivienne’s hair affectionately, “This reward alone isn’t

her legs around his waist, her forehead

Vivienne’s weight, swallowed hard. His

was pushing him

this kept up, he might be

on the sidelines, wished she could vanish

these two really starting to get affectionate, regardless

her and the bewildered spectators

bomb away, clearing her throat before saying, “Ms. Vivienne, Mr.

not heard her,

I’m asking is for you to carry me

Percival knew he was

grin, Vivienne found Percival’s fleeting blush

reminding them again, “Ms. Vivienne, Mr.

go, gracefully

she notice the crowd that

the forefront, his expression

her arm with Percival’s, her gaze sharp as she addressed Patrick, “Mr. Ashford,

frowning as he stepped forward, surveying the chaotic scene that hinted at

mentioned

any underlying emotion – a father purely concerned for his daughter’s well-being, regardless of Vivienne’s

upset Patrick. “If you want to know

Mr. Ellington, but remember, I am your elder. Now, my daughter has been stripped and thrown out of a room, half-conscious. How do you

now. If you don’t explain yourself,