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.

was stunned. Was Percival, now the Deputy Director,

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

Percival’s brow furrowed subtly.

Low morale?

Nerves frayed?

mic and strolled to the

work, starting

low morale meant slack performance, which could end in an unmarked grave with nobody the

saw that as a

straightened their backs; no one dared admit to

one to do a pep talk in meetings. To him,

point of

much more effective

swept the room with his icy gaze, ready to put the mic down, the auditorium doors

turning, he sensed the newcomer’s chilly

present and Micah in

he turned, his eyes narrowed, suppressing a flash of hostility as he saw who

makes a fair point. Working for the Vanguard Agency means risking your neck. If your morale is 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 your head, and nobody can save

the stage with agile grace, no

none other than Vance, the second-in-command of the Sea City

with an outstretched hand. “Percival, pleased to meet

feeling the callouses of

introduced himself, eyes locked on

“I’m 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,

Percival’s brow creased.

as the director of the

be that the long-absent Vanguard Agency

Sea City’s second-in-command and Rivenwood director in his hands, his influence

a while. When he returns, I’ll get that promotion. Keep it under wraps, or if my promotion’s blocked,