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.

with unknown toxins and substances, lying dormant in the body before finally

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

to the Mystic Vein, and they were frequently taken

health insurance for their workers

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

Vance was indeed

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

was Vivienne’s

photos, leaving no trace in the entire

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

“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 torn up about it than anyone else. Stop being

did not respond, but Percival stepped in front of her, blocking Vance’s view. “Keep your ancient

Percival led Vivienne out. She did not resist, following him to his

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

say

phone. “Our mystery friend sent

took the phone, and sure

cares about

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

of who this mysterious person was, her anger towards her only grew. She

ruffled her hair. “She must have

window at the bustling streets, her bright

one familiar figure to confront,

Why? Why all this?

took her a moment to collect herself. “Let’s

responded with a nod and turned the car around, heading

he knew something was up. Not wanting to delay,

himself, wondering what was even

down a peg for ya?” Finnian strolled in with a grin, a strawberry cheesecake