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.

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

of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps the lead in his parents’ blood was linked

returned to the Mystic Vein, and they were frequently taken to

the Edwards Group secured hefty health

was definitely problematic. However, Vance’s parent’s deaths were certainly not due to karma. The matter was only draped in a shroud of mystery because of the Sheldon family’s line of

Vance was indeed a

about Rover. Otherwise, you can kiss any chance

was Vivienne’s

enigma, always blurry in photos, leaving no trace

him stepping in for Vance,

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

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

Vivienne out. She did not resist, following

Percival started the engine, the calm of the night surrounded them. “Vivienne, the Finnian situation…

do you say that?” She

her his phone. “Our

and sure enough, it

only cares about

out for Vance; now, suddenly,

anger towards her only grew.

ruffled her hair. “She must have her

window at the bustling streets,

to

Why? Why all this?

to collect herself. “Let’s

and turned the car around, heading to the house he had prepared for

called Finnian over, and by the tone of her voice, he knew something was up. Not wanting to

was even the

what’s up? Did Percival give you a hard time? Need me to knock him down a peg for ya?” Finnian strolled in with a grin, a strawberry cheesecake in hand, ready to cheer