The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne lifted her hand with a delicate motion, her fingertips brushing against Vance’s.

The contact sent a jolt of pain through Vance’s finger, causing him to slump back onto the couch, but his eyes remained locked on Vivienne with intensity. “Sure, Lark and Ashen Pigeon and I didn’t see eye to eye, but our beef was strictly professional. I have no reason to off her, so show some respect, will ya?”

His agitation caught Vivienne off guard. She had obviously struck a nerve.

Still cradling his wrist, Vance stared at her, “Neither you nor Micah have any ground to suspect me. I admit I’ve got a grudge against the ancient warrior lineages, and I use my job to dig around. But as an agent of Vanguard Agency, from field operative to the director I am today, I’ve honored every mission and every badge I’ve ever worn on my uniform!

Look, Vivienne, Percival, you can accuse me of neglect, of not caring about the future and safety of my agents, but you can never question my commitment to Vanguard Agency!”

In Percival’s eyes, Vance was far from a model director. In fact, he did not even deserve the title.

Sacrificing his own people for personal gain, landing them in military prison while acting like nothing happened, seeing them meet their ends without lifting a finger… Such a man did not inspire Percival’s respect.

But he could not deny the truth in Vance’s words.

The room fell silent for a few minutes, with no one speaking.

After some time, Vance’s emotions seemed to stabilize. “My mission for the Frostfire Intelligence Agency still stands. Next time you swing by, I expect news about your mentor.”

It was a clear dismissal, and his tone was less than friendly.

Vivienne looked back at Vance.

He seemed to be shackled by his obsessions.

An obsession with the ancient warrior lineages, with the Sheldon family.

She had seen the medical records of Vance’s parents before they died, which had nothing to do with some karmic cycle.

was chronic lead poisoning—this lead was different, laced with unknown toxins and substances, lying

was right to keep Darren and Ashley out of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps the lead in his

folks often returned to the Mystic

the Edwards Group secured hefty health insurance

to karma. The matter was only draped in a shroud of mystery because of the

was indeed

meet, I hope you’ve got more to spill about Rover. Otherwise, you can kiss any chance of

Vivienne’s last

photos, leaving no trace in the

him stepping in for Vance, Vivienne would have had nothing on

death was suicide. It’s got nothing to do with anyone in Vanguard Agency, least of all Rover. He

blocking Vance’s view. “Keep your ancient warrior lineage feud out of the agency.

that, Percival led Vivienne out. She did not

the night surrounded them. “Vivienne, the Finnian situation… I don’t

you say that?”

handed her his phone. “Our mystery friend sent the

the phone, and sure enough, it was that mystery

cares about

warned me to watch out for Vance; now, suddenly, it’s all good? Is

towards her only grew. She had lied to her for years! And she had always been right there, beside

ruffled her hair. “She must have her reasons for

exhaled, gazing out the window at the

to confront, to demand answers

Why? Why all this?

a moment to collect

the car around, heading to the

by the tone of her voice, he knew something was up. Not wanting to delay, he

what was even the point of having an

for ya?” Finnian strolled in with a grin, a strawberry cheesecake in hand, ready to cheer up