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 features alight with a

Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an

did not respond,

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

eyes, and the casual

not, I believe, acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with

far as she knew, when her mother was with the Vanguard Agency,

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

had never

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

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

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

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

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,

have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen

remembered her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

had said, was to teach Vivienne that

asked if getting injured wasn’t a compromise. Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between

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

at that, her eyes filled with

the past, Vance rubbed his cheek. “Back then, I was young and hot-headed. I didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t

were what every

Vance. “So, what does this have to do

to join the Vanguard