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.

a major breakthrough – it would save them a fortune and a ton

this new bomb and the detector had been burning

not just stay entirely out of it and not pay

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

Wolf, you’re amazing!” Vivienne handed the bomb to Anna, then flung herself into Percival’s arms, planting

money – rosy-cheeked

smile, ruffling Vivienne’s hair affectionately, “This reward

legs around his waist, her forehead pressed against his, her

weight, swallowed hard. His Adam’s

woman was pushing him to his

up, he might be unable to hold

sidelines, wished she could vanish into

really starting to get affectionate, regardless of where

for her

her throat before

he had not heard her, his voice deep,

asking is for you to carry me out

Percival knew he was

grin, Vivienne found Percival’s fleeting blush endearing,

sighed internally, reminding them again, “Ms.

finally let Percival go, gracefully dismounting and standing by

notice the crowd that had

at the forefront, his expression

gaze sharp as she addressed

as he stepped forward, surveying the chaotic scene

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

any underlying emotion – a father purely concerned for his daughter’s

Patrick.

but remember, I am your elder. Now, my daughter has been stripped and

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