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

Since you’ve made

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

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

would no longer be a Vanguard

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

sent shock waves through the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency main

disbelief—how could their deputy director resign

Soren, who seemed to question his

you don’t

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

know! Cut it out!” Leopold snapped, pushing

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

“Enough!” Thomas bellowed.

Thomas. “And you? As his

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

shouldn’t you be calming

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

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

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

wind!” She called out,

their hair

out of his car, methodically unbuttoning his tailored suit jacket and tossing it over the hood like

with one hand, and, with a little effort, placed

in harmony with his biker attire—a striking

hold on tight,” he said, revving the engine and

his sturdy frame, resting

they were truly side

rode aimlessly, the motorcycle’s roar slicing through

as they sped into the dark embrace of the

that battled the creeping tendrils of

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

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

stepped out too, her hand finding

out