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.”

Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her

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

did not respond,

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

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

and you were not, I believe, acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

was with the Vanguard Agency, her

seek out friendships, so the term ‘friend’ applied

stories, Vivienne had

favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely remembering his

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

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

carried a hint of sincerity,

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

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

remembered her mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that

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

if I were rescuing someone. I’d have the enemy hand them over willingly. Now

laughed warmly at that,

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

were what every operative should aspire to.”Books Chapters

“So, what does this have

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