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

satisfaction. Astrid’s team received the signal

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

the Vanguard Agency suggested a

would receive would be severe. She could

in tactical discussion, oblivious to

console and, without a sound, activated

speakers were on—a device typically untouched unless they were ready to

up the microphone and began to speak,

shock

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

tore through the serene Holiday Resort. Starting from a hidden passage,

vehicle shook violently, its special bulletproof glass shattering under

into the members of Vanguard Agency’s special

sustained various injuries, their

outermost edge, felt a ringing in their ears, momentarily

strewn across the floor, with Gillian knocked unconscious

events unfolded

steadying Vivienne, was the first to snap into action. He quickly

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

enemy base had been alerted, and in the event of such

whoever they could—they could not allow

weapon as he descended from the command

are

his legs, abdomen, and shoulders ravaged by

alive, damn it! I’m

a pierced

“Not dead yet.”

Soren headed toward the secret

was

after them; I’ll search for our people,” Thomas

we get all of our