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.”

I am?” Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her features

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

not respond, her

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

flashed in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced

you were not, I believe, acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly, her

her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally

was naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships,

Vivienne had never

mother’s favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met

her mother’s name, wanted

Wishful thinking, indeed.

wine glass and leaned forward. “I was not exactly close with

sincerity, piquing

was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon,

gun, but Lark would not have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got herself injured, but managed to get

mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

sharing this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should

if getting injured wasn’t a compromise. Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one’s safety and the hostage’s, the hostage must come first—that was the creed of a

to get hurt if I were rescuing

that, her eyes filled with

hot-headed. I didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions.

what every

gaze fixed on Vance. “So, what does this have to do with

then lifted it 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 a way to make amends for my