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.

tabs on him alone, but now, with

see him try!”

crept down silently, sitting next to Vivienne,

the back of their heads, glared down at Percival,

fists raised, egged them on. “Go on,

better explain

fists sank

only stayed on Vivienne’s shoulder but pulled her

“Where’s Leopold?” Percival inquired.

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

brow furrowed slightly; it must be that mission

the ancient warrior lineage

was Vance plotting by sending Leopold into

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

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

lips back!” Came the chorus

eye on Finnian. He’s on the

10 feet out the door, Finnian’s escape was blown by Percival’s words, and the disciples were hot on

despair, Finnian covered his ears. The karmic payback

did he ever take on

Especially Vivienne!

other disciples, and now his life was

Utterly exasperated.

disciples, no matter how tempting it

nagged Finnian until the wee hours, starting with demands for payback and explanations, then sharing their hardships over

ran out of steam and tears did they sprawl across the beds and floors, each

the faint, strange scent in

Percival’s eyes snapped open, covering

he sensed the

slipped out to check on Vivienne, who

murmured, but

breathing—steady. She was just asleep; no

Finnian and the disciples were. Upon entering, he found them knocked out, sprawled across every surface,