The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As soon as the door swung open, there was Jerry, lounging on the couch with a contract in hand, earbuds dangling from his ears, grinning at Finnian.

“Finnian, long time no see, buddy.”

Finnian slammed the door shut, immediately storming into another bedroom.

Holy smokes, Larry was here! He was fiddling with a pocketknife, grinning ear to ear. “Hey Finnian, missed me?”

Finnian had caught on by now. He stood at the door, taking deep breaths before bellowing, “You bunch of troublemakers, get out here, now!”

Door after door opened, and everyone except Leopold lined up in front of Finnian.

Smiles were plastered on their faces, but their eyes were full of schemes.

Dawson burst out furiously, “Do you have any idea how much your funeral cost me? Pay up!”

Jerry looked genuinely baffled. “Finnian, what’s with the fake death stunt? You’re breaking our hearts.”

Daniel, fists pumping in the air, yelled, “I ditched so much stuff to come back for your supposed passing, nearly got myself killed on the road!”

Eric, counting on his fingers with a sinister tone, added, “I almost blew myself up in the lab trying to figure out what killed you, and here you are, alive and kicking!”

Donald was grinding his teeth. “Fun to fake your death, huh? You know how long it took us to crawl out of the mental scar of your ‘death’?”

Brian, frowning deeply, pointed outside to a husky tied up. “Finnian, you owe us an explanation.”

Larry clenched his fist, threatening, “If you don’t clear things up, I’m gonna let that dog tear up your vegetable patch on South Mountain.”

Gary was livid at the mention of the vegetable patch, saying, “Those plants were my blood, sweat, and tears under the scorching 95-degree sun!”

The eight disciples surrounded Finnian like debt collectors from hell. Poor Finnian felt his brain swell.

Thank goodness little Leopold was not around, or his wailing would have pushed Finnian over the edge!

Vivienne was relishing the drama downstairs, sipping red wine with a smirk.

She was not naive; Finnian agreeing to stay with her so easily meant he was planning a getaway.

not keep tabs on

see him try!” She

down silently, sitting next to Vivienne, casually draping an arm

disciples upstairs, as if they had eyes in the back of their heads, glared down at Percival, “Hands off

fists raised, egged them on. “Go on, my

you’d better

raised fists sank

hand not only stayed on Vivienne’s shoulder

“Where’s Leopold?” Percival inquired.

on Percival’s shoulder, Vivienne said with gravity, “He mentioned something about

brow furrowed slightly; it must be that mission Vance mentioned

hearing Finnian out, Percival was convinced the ancient warrior lineage

Vance plotting by sending Leopold into the

her wine glass, yawning. “Keep an eye on Finnian tonight. I’m hitting

do, mission accepted,” Percival assured, affectionately ruffling her hair before

get your lips back!” Came the

shrugged. “Keep an eye on Finnian. He’s

escape was blown by Percival’s words, and the disciples were hot on his heels, shouting for an

his ears. The karmic payback of his

he ever take

Especially Vivienne!

rallied other disciples, and

Utterly exasperated.

poison his disciples, no

payback and explanations, then sharing their hardships over the years, eventually insisting Finnian kick Percival out or else

out of steam and tears did they sprawl across the beds

noticed the faint, strange scent

night, Percival’s eyes snapped open, covering his mouth and

a night owl, he sensed the anomaly instantly and was on

out to check on Vivienne, who

up,” he murmured, but she was out

her breathing—steady. She was just asleep;

out, sprawled across every surface, even the husky outside sleeping