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.

it would save them a fortune and a ton

bomb and the detector had been burning

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

need to keep dissecting bomb structures. They could

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

the money –

ruffling Vivienne’s hair affectionately, “This reward alone

Percival, wrapping her legs around his waist, her forehead

weight, swallowed

woman was pushing

be unable to hold back any

the sidelines, wished she could vanish

two really starting to get affectionate, regardless of where they

they spare a thought for her and the bewildered spectators

bomb away, clearing her throat before

if he had not heard her, his voice deep, “Vivienne,

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

he was teased

a grin, Vivienne found Percival’s fleeting blush

them again, “Ms. Vivienne, Mr. Ellington,

gracefully dismounting and

notice the crowd that had

expression beyond shock – it was

sharp as she

stepped forward, surveying the chaotic scene that

you saved Gillian, but what happened between you two? She mentioned that my daughter’s clothes were still

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

visibly upset Patrick. “If you want to know what

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

teeth. “She’s passed out now. If you don’t explain yourself, not even Richard’s