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, her

Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity of great

respond, her

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

glint flashed in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual

Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced

as she knew, when her mother was with the Vanguard

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

Vivienne had never

Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely

mother’s name, wanted to recruit her into

Wishful thinking, indeed.

set down his wine glass and leaned forward. “I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite, we

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

especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned to the

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

mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

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

not fully understanding, Vivienne had confidently told her mother, “I’d make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I’d have

that,

young and hot-headed. I didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t guarantee your own life, how can you protect the people

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kept her gaze fixed on Vance. “So, what does

knowledge to you. I want you to join the Vanguard Agency, to carry