The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dracon hesitated, the words on the tip of his tongue dying before they could be born. He had no choice but to heed Yorick’s command.

Diana didn’t even offer a word of concern before Dracon led her out.

Yorick glanced at Percival, then at Vivienne by his side, his gaze softening with a touch of tenderness. “My dear, how old are you now?”

“Twenty,” Vivienne replied.

Her twentieth birthday had passed, but she had never been one to celebrate. Birthdays always reminded her of her mother.

Thus, when Mr. Wolf suggested throwing her a birthday bash, she declined.

But she decided future birthdays could be celebrated.

The thought of all the years gone by without her mother’s homemade strawberry cheesecake made her blood boil! All because Karen faked her death! From now on, she swore to indulge in strawberry cheesecake on her birthdays until she couldn’t take another bite!

Despite her disdain for Dracon, she held a fondness for Yorick.

She felt an indescribable familiarity in Yorick, just like the first time she met Jasper.

Yorick clicked his tongue. “Putting up with this sourpuss for a boyfriend must be tough on you.”

Vivienne chuckled. “It’s not so bad; Mr. Wolf treats me well.”

“A face like a block of ice, and you say he treats you well? Child, if that boy ever gives you trouble, you come straight to me. I’ll make sure he regrets it,” Yorick said with a deepening smile, his eyes shining with affection for Vivienne.

Percival could only sigh to himself.

No matter the company, when Vivienne was around, he might as well have been invisible.

Well, he mused, who could blame him for being willingly outshone by her?

“Thank you, Mr. Yorick. But Mr. Wolf wouldn’t dare. He knows he can’t outmatch me,” Vivienne said, not realizing she was becoming more talkative in Yorick’s company.

a bit more chatter, Yorick finally turned his attention

a deep sigh, “I thought the next time I saw you, you’d

title of Director reflected Yorick’s

him as

bowed his head slightly. “I’m sorry to disappoint you,

folks have your own paths, and I

faint smile

for a moment before Yorick continued, “I’ve been out of the loop at Vanguard Agency for a while now. I don’t know many of the new faces, so I can’t offer much help. But your road ahead

could not help but laugh. “Seems Vivienne holds more sway than

and I hit it off from the start, unlike you,” Yorick

met my mother; she was a member of the special squad

up, surprised, “You’re Lark’s daughter? She had a

that’s me.” Vivienne knew then that the Linklater that Karen

I always thought you looked familiar. I once hoped to have her

could tell Yorick’s

Vivienne did not even know who her father was, let alone her grandfather, so she felt there was really no need for

subject she had on her mind. “Mr. Yorick, I’m trying

his head. “There’s no Vesper in

you, Mr. Yorick. I got it.”

a little more time with Yorick, Vivienne and Percival took

parting, Vivienne checked Yorick’s pulse and noticed a mole on

but because she had a similar one

had left, Dracon returned

Diana seemed more enthusiastic, greeting Yorick

done well coming here. Tell your father not to worry; this old body of mine has a few good years left to

were a polite

quickly bid her

was gone,

long. Why did you send her

from Diana. That girl… she’s

advice but knew better than

to stop looking at her through those judgmental glasses just because she’s adopted,” grumbled