The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne was on the perimeter, her gaze locked to the thermal imager as she monitored Anna’s progress through the darkened alley.

Percival was at her side, fingers dancing across the laptop keyboard. Three seconds later, he declared, “Vivienne, we’re in.”

Pressing her earpiece, Vivienne called out, “Strike team, come in. Do you copy?”

The entire team, including Anna, was momentarily startled.

Through the earpiece, Anna tapped back in Morse code—Ms. Vivienne?

“That’s right. Follow my lead. There are more bombs than your initial infrared scan detected. Tread carefully.”

Everyone at the Vanguard Agency knew that Vivienne was Percival’s fiancée, and they would heed her commands without question. And, of course, Percival would obviously be right by her side.

This brought an unspoken comfort to the strike team as they navigated the treacherous terrain.

“Alpha and Bravo, move left. Charlie and Delta, keep a 3-feet distance behind. Anna, take the others and advance from the nine o’clock position. Watch the walls—electrified nets are set up to alert the hostiles inside.”

The strike team executed Vivienne’s orders flawlessly, avoiding numerous triggers and drawing ever closer to the bomb-laden stronghold.

Back in the command vehicle, Thomas watched the heat signatures move and immediately understood.

Percival and Vivienne were undoubtedly nearby. This meticulous, calculated approach was Vivienne’s signature—Careful and deadly.

Thomas, who had spent years working alongside Percival and Vivienne, knew this all too well.

Moreover, the equipment in Vivienne’s possession was far more advanced than that of the Vanguard Agency, revealing traps that had previously gone undetected.

With her guidance, Anna would be able to complete the mission much faster.

The National Intelligence Bureau, led by Astrid, was also in position, ready to provide support. Although they were not bomb disposal experts, they were more than capable of backing up the team.

Under Vivienne’s direction, Anna swiftly defused the first bomb site.

few taps on her earpiece signaled —

team received the signal and

the command vehicle, couldn’t shake

the Vanguard Agency suggested

she knew the punishments she would receive would be severe. She could

and Vance were deep in tactical discussion, oblivious

command console and, without a sound, activated

unless they were ready

the microphone and began to speak, “Second

sent shock waves

stunned, including Vivienne and Percival on watch outside, as well as Anna and Astrid in the midst of their

Resort. Starting from a hidden passage,

the command vehicle shook violently, its special bulletproof glass shattering under the force of

flew everywhere, embedding themselves into the members

injuries, their

on the outermost edge, felt a ringing in their ears,

were strewn across the floor, with Gillian knocked

unfolded in

action. He quickly established a

echoing like a distant thunder

them!” Percival shouted again. The urgency was clear; the enemy base had been alerted, and in

they had to capture whoever they could—they could not allow every

focus, grabbing his weapon as he descended

Soren, are

legs, abdomen, and shoulders

alive, damn it! I’m going after

pierced abdomen, yet he still

“Not dead yet.”

that, Soren headed toward the

was

I’ll search for our people,”

make sure we get all of our people out,”