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.

earpiece

satisfaction. Astrid’s team received the

the command vehicle, couldn’t shake the feeling that

Intelligence Bureau and the Vanguard Agency suggested a

GTO was compromised, she knew the punishments she would receive would be severe. She could not afford to

were deep in

console and, without a sound, activated the

Thomas returned, he didn’t notice the speakers were on—a device typically untouched unless they were ready to

the microphone and began to speak, “Second squad, prepare to flank from the

sent shock

Vivienne and Percival on watch outside, as well as Anna and Astrid in the

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

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

flew everywhere, embedding themselves into the

and Soren sustained various injuries, their bodies peppered

edge,

strewn across the floor,

events unfolded

first to snap into action. He quickly established a connection with the

Percival’s voice echoing like a distant thunder in

enemy base had been alerted, and in the event

this dire situation, they had to capture whoever they could—they

weapon as he descended from the command

Soren, are

the debris, his legs, abdomen, and shoulders ravaged

it! I’m going after

a pierced abdomen,

“Not dead yet.”

headed toward

team was

you go after them; I’ll

sure we get all of