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.

her earpiece signaled — Alpha point

team received the signal

shake the feeling that something was

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

was compromised, she knew the punishments she would receive would be

and Vance were deep in tactical

command console and, without

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

the microphone and began to speak, “Second

sent shock waves through the

watch outside, as well as Anna and Astrid

tore through the serene Holiday Resort. Starting from a hidden passage, in just two seconds, the entire resort

special bulletproof

flew everywhere, embedding themselves into the members

and Soren sustained various injuries,

outermost edge, felt a ringing in their ears,

the floor, with Gillian knocked unconscious against the

events unfolded

snap into action. He quickly

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

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

they had to capture whoever

weapon as he descended

Soren, are you

legs, abdomen, and shoulders ravaged by glass. Blood seeped

damn it! I’m

stood up, more severely injured than Leopold, with a pierced abdomen, yet

“Not dead yet.”

headed

team was still

them; I’ll search for our

make sure we get all of our people