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.

taps on her earpiece signaled

team received the

vehicle, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was

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

was compromised, 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 the

Thomas returned, he didn’t notice the speakers were on—a device typically untouched unless they were ready to encircle and intimidate criminals. For a covert mission like this, flipping that switch was

speak, “Second

words sent shock

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

Holiday Resort. Starting from a

its special bulletproof glass shattering

flew everywhere, embedding themselves into the members of Vanguard

sustained various injuries,

positioned on the outermost edge, felt a ringing

bodies were strewn across the

unfolded

He quickly established

voice echoing like

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

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

focus, grabbing his weapon as he descended from the

Soren, are

rose from the debris, his legs, abdomen, and shoulders ravaged

it! I’m

injured than Leopold, with a pierced abdomen, yet he still managed to get to his

“Not dead yet.”

Soren headed toward the

was still

them; I’ll search for our people,”

out and make sure we get all of our people