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.”

even know who I am?” Vivienne leaned back on the sofa,

he straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to

not respond, her

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

her mother’s name, a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual

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

her mother was with the Vanguard

one to seek out friendships, so the term ‘friend’ applied to very

stories, Vivienne had never heard

someone Vivienne had barely met

Vance, invoking her mother’s name, wanted to recruit her into

Wishful thinking, indeed.

was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the

hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest to

she joined the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned to the same squad, tasked with

did not leave room for the hostage to be extracted 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, but ultimately, Ashen

remembered her mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

crucial, between one’s

told her mother, “I’d make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I’d have the enemy hand them over

warmly at that, her eyes

point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t guarantee your own life, how can you protect the people

that I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative should aspire to.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay

on Vance. “So, what does

again. “Vivienne, I know your mother passed all her knowledge to you. I want you to join the Vanguard