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.

was not completely heartless

Since you’ve made up

of next week, or our deal is off,” Percival

as he reached the door, Vance called after him, “Percival, wherever you are, whatever you do,

of deep reluctance

he would no longer be a Vanguard Agency operative. Their ties

a chapter on

shock waves through the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency main

their deputy director resign

to question his own existence,

don’t know

Leopold could not fathom Percival leaving the organization they had aspired

told you, I don’t know! Cut it out!” Leopold

pent-up frustrations exploded into a scuffle, which

“Enough!” Thomas bellowed.

his anger on Thomas. “And you? As his assistant, you must

I got the news at

men. “Will you guys stop? As the team leader and commander, shouldn’t you be calming your teams down? Have you forgotten what the deputy director

taking the lead to gather the troops

place, arriving leisurely at the foot

waiting, revving her motorcycle’s engine as Percival’s

She called out, her

tousled their hair and

out of his car, methodically unbuttoning his tailored suit jacket

her up by the waist with one hand, and, with a

was surprisingly in harmony with his biker attire—a striking figure with

revving the engine and fixing his gaze on the

arms around his sturdy frame, resting her head on his shoulder. “Mr.

moment, they were truly

rode aimlessly, the motorcycle’s roar slicing

grew louder, and the taillights ahead fewer as

glow that battled the creeping tendrils of the evening

a halt on a deserted beach, where the stars seemed to stretch to infinity, each one a tiny beacon of

foot still grounded, and removed his helmet, hanging it casually on

out too, her hand

a rock, gazing out into the