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

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

before the end of next week, or our deal is off,” Percival demanded,

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

reluctance flickered across Percival’s

be a Vanguard Agency operative. Their ties

back, closing a

sent shock waves through the Rivenwood Vanguard

disbelief—how could their deputy director

seemed to question his own existence, bombarding

You grew up together, and you don’t know why he

Percival leaving the organization they had aspired to enter since

Cut it out!” Leopold snapped, pushing Soren

exploded into a scuffle, which Thomas and Anna quickly broke

“Enough!” Thomas bellowed.

you? As his assistant,

the fuck would I know? I got the news at the same time as you did!”

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

finally regained their composure, with Thomas taking the lead to gather the troops and Leopold and

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

had been waiting, revving her motorcycle’s engine as

She called out, her voice cutting through the

night breeze tousled their hair and

his car, methodically unbuttoning his tailored suit jacket and tossing it over the

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

sleek look was surprisingly in harmony with his biker attire—a striking figure with an edge of

said, revving the engine and fixing his gaze

arms around his sturdy frame, resting her head on

were truly side

motorcycle’s roar slicing through

as they sped into the dark embrace

high, casting a luminous glow that battled the

motorcycle to a halt on a deserted beach, where the stars

removed his

too, her hand finding Percival’s, cool to the

a rock, gazing out into