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.”

am?” Vivienne leaned back on the sofa,

straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity

not respond, her

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

glint flashed in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced by an incomprehensible

Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

she knew, when her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only

a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so the term ‘friend’ applied

stories, Vivienne had never heard of anyone

was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely

mother’s name, wanted to recruit her into

Wishful thinking, indeed.

was not

hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest

the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she

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

mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should

crucial, between one’s safety and the hostage’s, the hostage

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

that, her eyes filled

the point in Lark’s

Your mother’s actions were what every operative should aspire to.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All

Vance. “So, what does this have

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