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

sighed heavily. “Fine. Since you’ve made

Micah back before the end of next week, or our deal is off,”

you are, whatever you do, don’t forget you were once an outstanding operative of the Vanguard

deep reluctance

stepped through that door, he would no longer be a Vanguard Agency operative. Their ties

a chapter on his

through the

their

Soren, who seemed to question his own existence,

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

blindsided, Leopold could not fathom Percival leaving the organization they had

know! Cut it out!” Leopold snapped,

pent-up frustrations exploded into a scuffle, which Thomas

“Enough!” Thomas bellowed.

Thomas. “And you? As his assistant, you must know

I got the news at the same

As the team leader and commander, shouldn’t you be calming your teams down? Have you

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

to Vivienne’s place, arriving leisurely at

been waiting, revving her motorcycle’s engine as

Let’s catch the wind!” She called

night breeze tousled their hair and

suit jacket and tossing it over the

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

a spare helmet on, Percival’s sleek look was surprisingly in harmony

said, revving the engine and fixing his gaze

his sturdy frame, resting her head

they were truly side by

aimlessly, the motorcycle’s roar slicing through the

the taillights ahead fewer as they sped into the dark embrace of the

high, casting a luminous glow that battled the creeping

on a deserted beach, where the stars seemed to stretch to infinity, each

removed his helmet, hanging it casually

stepped out too, her hand finding

gazing out into the vast, dark expanse