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 features

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

respond, her gaze

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced by an incomprehensible

acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly,

mother was with

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

had

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

wanted to recruit her into the Vanguard

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s

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

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

her mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their

replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one’s safety and

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

that,

the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t guarantee your

every operative should aspire

on Vance. “So,

I want you to join the Vanguard