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.”

leaned back

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

did not respond, her gaze dropping

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual

and you were not, I believe, acquainted,” Vivienne

mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only

loner, not one to seek out friendships, so

her mother’s stories, Vivienne had never heard of anyone

had barely met in her childhood, barely

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

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. “I was not exactly

admission carried a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest

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

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 Pigeon sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got

mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

was to teach Vivienne that no

compromise. Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one’s safety and the hostage’s, the hostage must come first—that

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

warmly at that, her eyes filled with

didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions.

until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative should aspire to.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated

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

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