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.

undetonated bomb was a major breakthrough – it would save them a

bomb and the detector

just stay entirely out of it

now, with this prototype in hand, there was no need to keep dissecting bomb structures. They could just program the

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

– rosy-cheeked and

relieved Percival managed a smile, ruffling

forehead pressed against his, her voice laced with mischief.

Vivienne’s weight, swallowed

woman was pushing

be unable to

she

two really starting to get affectionate, regardless of where

a thought for her and the bewildered

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

not heard her, his

is for you to carry me out like

Percival knew he was teased

fleeting blush endearing, thinking how adorable her

sighed internally, reminding them again, “Ms. Vivienne, Mr.

let Percival go, gracefully dismounting and standing

did she notice the crowd

forefront, his expression beyond

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

reality, frowning as he stepped forward, surveying

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

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

faced the visibly upset Patrick. “If you

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 do you expect

“She’s passed out now. If you don’t