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.

lead was different, laced with unknown toxins and substances, lying dormant in the body before finally manifesting and causing a

right to keep Darren and Ashley out of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps

folks often returned to the Mystic Vein, and

health insurance for their workers that the issue was

deaths were certainly not due to karma. The matter was only draped in a shroud

Vance was

to spill about Rover. Otherwise, you can kiss any chance of finding

Vivienne’s

always blurry in photos, leaving no trace in

stepping in for Vance, Vivienne would have had

snapped at her, “What do you want to know about Rover? Vivienne, your mom’s death was suicide. It’s got nothing to do with anyone in Vanguard Agency, least of all Rover. He was more

her, blocking Vance’s view. “Keep your ancient warrior lineage feud out of the agency. I’m not letting this slide, not

She did not resist, following him to his

started the engine, the calm of the night surrounded them.

you say that?” She

handed her his phone. “Our mystery friend

took the phone, and sure enough, it was

cares about

to watch out for Vance; now, suddenly, it’s

only grew. She had lied to her for years!

have her reasons for doing what

the window at the bustling streets, her bright

familiar figure to confront,

Why? Why all this?

moment to collect herself.

and turned the car around, heading

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

sighed to himself, wondering what was

with a grin, a strawberry cheesecake in hand, ready to cheer up his apprentice.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay