The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival steered his car into the Vanguard Agency’s Rivenwood headquarters parking lot. Soren, Anna, and the rest of the crew were already there, all decked out in the Agency’s crisp uniforms.

Today was the day Percival would officially step into the role of Deputy Director.

Every member of the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency was dressed to the nines for the promotion ceremony.

In the absence of the Director, the Deputy Director was the top dog. This ceremony was pretty much Percival taking the reins of the Rivenwood headquarters.

“Captain, why are you behind the wheel?” Soren approached, eyeing Percival as he climbed out of the driver’s seat. Beside him, Leopold was snoozing like a log, enough to make Soren’s teeth itch with irritation.

How could Leopold let the captain drive himself here?

Especially now that Percival was stepping up as Deputy Director, with the whole headquarters watching. Where did that leave his dignity?

Everyone knew Soren was Percival’s number-one fanboy. Any threat to Percival’s prestige was a no-go in Soren’s book.

Micah once joked that if Percival said the Vanguard Agency should cease to exist, Soren would probably tear down all the branches brick by brick.

Like today, Soren was more excited about the ceremony than Percival himself, so excited he had not slept a wink all night.

Percival tossed the keys to Soren and took the uniform jacket Anna handed him. “Get that sleepy mutt on his feet.”

Without a word, Soren hoisted Leopold out of the car, nearly popping his shoulder out of its socket.

After changing into his uniform, Percival headed to the auditorium.

The whole staff was there, and as Percival stepped out, applause thundered around the room, Soren’s clapping nearly deafening Leopold by his side.

Anna sat behind Soren, rolling her eyes at his antics. She was convinced that if Soren were a woman, he would be Vivienne’s fiercest love rival.

Percival took his seat amid the leaders, right in the center.

Director’s out, I’m calling

Percival, now the Deputy Director, not one for a

a few words, will you? Morale’s been low; a pep talk could

Percival’s brow furrowed subtly.

Low morale?

Nerves frayed?

and strolled to the stage, his intimidating presence casting a

morale’s been low. Three miles weighted runs after work, starting today. Let’s cut the drama, or do you fancy a

performance, which

saw that as a

no one dared admit

pep talk in meetings. To him, getting the

the point

a bonus would be much more effective in

icy gaze, ready to put the

he sensed

everyone present and Micah in lockdown, who

a flash of hostility as he saw who

down, that’s a one-way ticket to the underworld. Keep that to your pillow talk, and never let it into the field, or you’ll lose

the stage with agile grace, no need for a mic

other than Vance, the second-in-command of the Sea City

outstretched hand. “Percival, pleased to meet you. I’m Vance

the callouses of a man never far from his

introduced himself,

not waver as he took the mic. “I’m Vance Edwards, the director of Sea City headquarters, but I’ve just been informed my undercover assignment has ended. I’ll continue

Percival’s brow creased.

director of the

it be that the long-absent Vanguard Agency

second-in-command and Rivenwood director in

the crowd’s shock, Vance continued, “I was due for a promotion after my mission, but with Micah’s incident, I’m back for a while. When he returns, I’ll get that promotion. Keep it under