The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival grinned with a hint of mischief. “Looking to delve into the secrets of the ancient warrior lineages, are you? Well, I’m your guy. I’ll be your greatest asset.”

Vance placed the business card on the table, his finger tapping over the name Mr. Percy, and asked with a serious tone, “So, you trust me now?”

Doubts about his alleged betrayal of the Vanguard Agency had always gnawed at him.

He did harbor ulterior motives, sure, but staining his hands with betrayal? That was a line he would not cross.

Percival’s lips curved slightly. “Your obsession is solely with the ancient warrior lineages.”

Vance fell silent, mulling over his options.

An alliance with Percival could indeed clear the fog shrouding the mysteries of the ancient warrior lineages.

But trust was not on the table, and their partnership was fraught with peril.

Now, cut off from the Agency’s mainframe, he was blind to the secrets he sought. He needed an external ally.

“Why help me?” Vance finally asked.

Percival lowered his gaze briefly, then met Vance’s eyes. “Your fixation with the ancient warrior lineages runs deep. I’d rather assist you now than risk others exploiting you later.”

The insinuation stung Vance like a slap across the face.

“So, you and Vivienne still suspect I might betray the Agency!”

Percival did not deny it. “In my eyes, you were never the saint.”

Vance was momentarily lost for words.

Indeed, in his pursuit of the truth behind the ancient warrior lineages, he had strayed from his initial path.

Conscience had become a distant echo, fading with time.

“And yet you choose to work with me. Aren’t you afraid I might double-cross you?” Vance asked.

“You gave Leopold an out. That’s the second reason I’m willing to gamble on you,” Percival replied with a smirk.

Vance had ensured Leopold took the fall, yes, but had also arranged for his survival and, in the shadows, safeguarded Griffin, proving her innocence.

not completely heartless after

heavily. “Fine. Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll submit

or

Vance called after him, “Percival, wherever you are, whatever you do, don’t forget you were once an outstanding operative

deep reluctance flickered across

stepped through that door, he would no longer be a Vanguard

he left without looking back, closing a chapter on his life

waves through the Rivenwood

was in disbelief—how could their deputy

question his own

up together, and you don’t know why he quit?” Soren’s eyes

Percival leaving the organization they had aspired to enter

told you, I don’t know! Cut

pent-up frustrations exploded into a scuffle, which Thomas and Anna quickly

“Enough!” Thomas bellowed.

you? As his

I got the news at the same time as you

leader and commander, shouldn’t you

to gather the troops and

drove to Vivienne’s place, arriving leisurely at the foot of her apartment

waiting, revving her motorcycle’s engine as

on! Let’s catch the wind!” She

breeze tousled their hair and

his car, methodically unbuttoning his tailored suit jacket and tossing

up by the waist with one hand, and, with a little effort, placed her on

in harmony with

the engine and fixing his gaze on the road

frame, resting her head

moment, they were truly side by

rode aimlessly, the motorcycle’s roar slicing

ahead fewer as they sped into the dark embrace of

that battled the creeping tendrils of the evening

halt on a deserted beach, where the

one foot still grounded, and removed his helmet, hanging

her hand

out into