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 — Alpha

satisfaction. Astrid’s team received the

dutifully recording everything from the command vehicle, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss with

National Intelligence Bureau and the Vanguard Agency suggested a significant threat. Could it be the GTO they

knew the punishments she would receive would be severe. She

Vance were deep in tactical

command console and,

notice the speakers were on—a device typically untouched unless they were ready to encircle and intimidate criminals. For a covert

began to speak, “Second squad,

words sent shock waves through the

including Vivienne and Percival on watch outside, as well as Anna and

the serene Holiday Resort. Starting from a hidden passage, in just

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

everywhere, embedding themselves into the members of Vanguard

various injuries, their bodies peppered with countless

and Percival, positioned on the outermost edge, felt a ringing in their ears,

were strewn across the floor, with Gillian knocked unconscious against the

events unfolded in

the first to snap into action. He quickly established a connection with the command vehicle and bellowed,

ears were still ringing, Percival’s voice echoing like a distant thunder

the enemy base had been alerted, and in the event

whoever they could—they could not allow every enemy

focus, grabbing his weapon as he

are you

debris, his legs, abdomen, and shoulders ravaged by glass. Blood seeped from

damn it!

than Leopold, with a pierced abdomen, yet he still

“Not dead yet.”

headed toward

was still in

them; I’ll

out and make sure we get all of our people out,” he