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.

could not keep tabs on him alone,

see him try!”

sitting next to Vivienne, casually draping an arm around

back of their heads, glared down at Percival,

egged them on. “Go

better explain yourself

raised fists

not only stayed on Vivienne’s shoulder but pulled her

“Where’s Leopold?” Percival inquired.

Percival’s shoulder, Vivienne said with gravity,

it must be that mission Vance mentioned

convinced the ancient warrior lineage was deep

was Vance plotting by sending Leopold into the

down her wine glass, yawning. “Keep an eye on Finnian tonight.

Percival assured, affectionately ruffling

back!” Came the chorus from

“Keep an eye on Finnian. He’s on the

words, and the disciples were hot on his heels, shouting for

despair, Finnian covered his ears. The karmic payback of

did he ever take on so

Especially Vivienne!

cunning girl had rallied other disciples, and now his life was

Utterly exasperated.

he could not poison his disciples, no matter how

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

out of steam and tears did they sprawl across the beds and floors, each clutching a piece of Finnian as they drifted into a heavy

scent in the

night, Percival’s eyes snapped open, covering his

the

out to check on

wake up,” he murmured, but

checked her breathing—steady. She was

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