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

affair. Perhaps

the Edwards Group, Vance’s folks often returned to the Mystic Vein,

after the Edwards Group secured hefty health insurance

However, Vance’s parent’s deaths were certainly not due to karma. The matter was only draped in a shroud of

way, Vance was indeed

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

was Vivienne’s

blurry in photos, leaving

Jasper had not sensed him stepping in for Vance, Vivienne would have had

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

Percival stepped in front of her, blocking Vance’s view. “Keep your ancient warrior lineage feud out of the agency. I’m not

out. She did

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

say

“Our mystery friend sent the info

sure enough,

cares about

she warned me to watch out for Vance; now,

grew. She had lied to her for years! And

must have

the window at the

one familiar figure to confront,

Why? Why all this?

to collect

the car around, heading to the house he had

voice, he knew something was up. Not wanting to delay, he put down

himself, wondering what was even

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 up his apprentice.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join