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 the shots. Meeting

the Deputy Director, not one for a big

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

Percival’s brow furrowed subtly.

Low morale?

Nerves frayed?

and strolled to the stage, his intimidating presence

morale’s been low. Three miles weighted runs after work, starting today. Let’s cut

low morale meant slack performance, which could end

boost? Percival saw that

backs; no one dared admit

meetings. To him,

point

be much

ready to

he sensed the newcomer’s

everyone present and Micah in lockdown, who

a flash of hostility as he

a one-way ticket to the underworld. Keep that to your pillow

with agile grace, no

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

hand. “Percival,

was firm, feeling the callouses of a

Ellington,” he introduced himself,

Vance Edwards, the director of Sea City headquarters, but I’ve just been informed my undercover assignment has ended. I’ll continue as director of the Vanguard Agency headquarters, and I

Percival’s brow creased.

director of the Vanguard

it be that the long-absent Vanguard

of both Sea City’s second-in-command and Rivenwood

mission, but with Micah’s incident, I’m back for a while. When he returns, I’ll get that promotion. Keep it under wraps, or if my promotion’s blocked, it’ll be your bonuses on the