The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Three squad members efficiently unshackled Flynn’s chains, casting puzzled glances at the man before them.

“Cap, what’s the deal here?”

The man was none other than Thomas!

“Just got a last-minute directive to transfer the prisoner. Head back to HQ, folks.” Thomas hefted Flynn single-handedly and stuffed him into the back of a Bentley, speeding away.

The special squad members exchanged confused looks, clueless about what had just happened. With no choice but to follow their commanding officer’s orders, they returned to base.

…

At Vanguard Agency.

Gillian was idly nursing the remnants of a scar on her cheek, now mostly healed, revealing her basic features.

With no real power at Vanguard Agency and not exactly popular, she spent her time bored in front of a computer screen, restricted from the outside world—even online shopping was off-limits.

Her colleagues, once courteous, now treated her with a cool distance, leaving her feeling out of place.

Thankfully, she was tracking Flynn’s transfer.

“Gillian, sign this,” Thomas said, dropping a logbook on her desk.

Signing papers was about the most challenging task for Gillian these days.

She shot Thomas a glare filled with disdain. “Oh, how kind of you, Captain Thomas, to deliver this personally.”

“Not at all, Gillian. You seem quite busy yawning over there,” Thomas replied with a casual smile.

The nearby agents couldn’t help but chuckle at Thomas’s comment.

Gillian’s face flushed with embarrassment as she scribbled her name on the logbook.

“Take it!”

moment, the three officers who had

seeing Thomas. “Cap, what are you

was surprised, too. “Where else would I be? But what about you guys? Shouldn’t you

were following Gillian’s orders to escort Flynn, but didn’t you

I’ve been in meetings all morning. I just got a break, and I definitely didn’t take

gasped. “Then who did you hand

asking you that, Gillian?” Thomas

idea what level of security Flynn requires? Three armored vehicles and special protection, plus my

but had hoped to keep things low-key by moving Flynn discreetly. She hadn’t expected

it have

do you have to question me? Shouldn’t you be more concerned with which ‘Thomas’ whisked

as he turned his back, his anger seemed to vanish without

Gillian frantically

long wait. “Who said

“Didn’t you take Flynn?”

a pause on the line before the person said, “Didn’t I instruct you to deliver him to

someone impersonating Thomas took

time for such antics, and besides,

He’s gone, and we

she could finish, the door was kicked open, and a furious voice bellowed, “Gillian! Who do you think you are?

stormed into the office, his rage directed squarely at

person on the phone hung up

Gillian ducked behind her chair. “I had… I had

headquarters,” Vance spat, ripping the badge from

“If I see you here in half

strength, was flung out of the office and landed on the ground in

…

a car driving down

in the backseat, writhing in agony from

a struggle, he managed to open his eyes and looked at

time no see,

behind the wheel, masquerading as Thomas,

off the fake mask and tossed it back,

mask, managed, “Uncle, you’ve become quite the