The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The conversation had taken a turn, and it was clear that light-hearted banter was off the table.

“Vance, let’s cut to the chase.” Vivienne bit into a strawberry, savoring the burst of sweet, succulent flavor.

Vance sipped his wine, his gaze shifting between Vivienne and Percival.

“Vivienne, what do you know about Percival here?” He asked, nodding subtly towards Percival.

Vivienne tilted her head, eyeing Percival from head to toe. “Inside out,” she declared.

Percival nearly choked on his Chardonnay.

What on earth was she talking about?

Were they not here for a formal discussion?

Vance was clearly taken aback, not expecting such a forthright answer from Vivienne.

Nor had Vivienne expected to say it, but seeing Percival’s stern and ascetic demeanor, she just could not help herself.

Not everyone could understand the world of someone who cared about looks like she did.

Vance regained his composure and chuckled. “Well then, you must be familiar with his work. I was wondering if you might be interested in joining him professionally?”

Percival coughed, glancing at Vance.

Was he suggesting Vivienne join the Vanguard Agency?

Vivienne speared another strawberry with her fork, the juice coating her taste buds in satisfaction.

“Director Vance, are you sure you can afford to hire me?”

Her question put Vance in an awkward spot. He flashed a forced smile. “Perhaps the Vanguard Agency does have the means.”

back

his eyes piercing into Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I’m only interested in

did not respond, her

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

name, a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual indifference vanished,

Vivienne said

her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only

loner, not one to seek out

had never heard

Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely remembering his

invoking her mother’s name, wanted to recruit

Wishful thinking, indeed.

“I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite, we were

hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest to

butt heads, especially during a live

unharmed. I was ready to use a tranquilizer gun, but Lark would not have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued,

mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their

crucial, between one’s safety and

mother, “I’d make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I’d have

at that, her eyes filled with

the past, Vance rubbed his cheek. “Back then, I was young and hot-headed. I didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t guarantee your own life, how

went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative should

Vance. “So,

again. “Vivienne, I know your mother passed all her knowledge to you. I want you to join the Vanguard Agency, to carry on her legacy, and let me look after you—as