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.

would save them a fortune

the detector had been burning through cash

could not just stay entirely

prototype in hand, there was no need to keep dissecting

handed the bomb to Anna, then flung herself into Percival’s arms, planting several

money – rosy-cheeked

a smile, ruffling Vivienne’s hair affectionately, “This reward alone isn’t

onto Percival, wrapping her legs around his waist, her forehead

Vivienne’s weight, swallowed hard.

pushing him

be unable

she could vanish

get affectionate, regardless of where they

her and the bewildered spectators outside

the bomb away, clearing her throat before saying,

heard her, his

gaze locked on Percival, her words dropping deliberately. “All I’m asking is

knew he was teased

grin, Vivienne found Percival’s fleeting blush endearing, thinking how

reminding them again, “Ms. Vivienne,

gracefully dismounting and standing

then did she notice the crowd that

at the forefront, his expression

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

back to reality, frowning as he stepped forward, surveying the chaotic scene that hinted at his

what happened between you two? She mentioned that my daughter’s clothes were still on when she was thrown

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

visibly upset Patrick. “If you want to know what happened, ask your

Now, my daughter has been stripped and thrown out of a room, half-conscious. How do you expect me to ask

gritted teeth. “She’s passed out now. If you don’t