The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Aaron gently nudged the hospital room door open, slipping inside with Mara close on his heels.

In the bed lay Karen, her breathing steady and the machines around her showing no signs of distress.

Aaron tiptoed over, with Mara following suit.

As they drew closer, Mara pulled out a photograph and held it up for comparison, “It’s her. What do we do? Take her with us?”

Aaron nodded. “Yeah. I’ll disconnect the equipment. Get ready to lift her. I’m taking her to the Millers’ to squeeze out who she really is.”

“Aren’t we going to… you know?” Mara hesitated.

“Man, if he won’t do the deed, how am I supposed to complete my mission?” She thought.

Aaron replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, “What? Kill her? That’s illegal!”

Inside, Mara fumed. It was a good thing she had come along, or this mission would be a bust, and she would be the one in trouble!

As Aaron worked on the machines, Mara discreetly reached into her pocket and withdrew a small knife.

Holding the knife over Karen’s chest, she swallowed hard. Murder was not on her resume. She hadn’t even killed a chicken before. How could she go through with this?

But if Karen didn’t die, she would be the one to pay the price.

Aaron, the fool, not willing to dirty his hands with murder, was useless to her.

It was so dark; Aaron wouldn’t see. By the time he noticed, she’d be long gone.

Even if things went south, the boss would handle it. No worries.

Mentally pumping herself up, Mara closed her eyes and prepared to plunge the knife down.

Just as she was about to commit to the act, her wrist was caught in a vice-like grip.

Already strung tight with tension, the sudden grip nearly sent Mara’s soul flying from her body.

that seemed

cry, the lights in

back, her wrist still captured, Mara looked

was no empty hospital

an icy glare were all

ally, Aaron? He stood among them, grinning at

the shock, her vision darkening

“Vivienne, you called in the cavalry

puzzled. “Seriously, not to mention you, your

tough as nails; she wouldn’t even blink at

of speech!” Maddox

Mara onto a couch. “Enough bickering. What do

this girl’s got a scary face. Lucky for Natalia

Perez brothers shared a look: Seriously, bro? That’s your

and pressed her thumb to Mara’s philtrum.

find the Perez brothers standing behind Vivienne,

Don’t hurt

had that knife to my mom’s throat, did you

“She…

looked so young? She seemed about Percival’s age. How

“Aren’t you an orphan?”

an orphan?” Yuri was the first

nonsense, girl. We’ve got four uncles right here, no orphans in sight!” Luke added his

and I will rip your mouth

gearing up to make good on that

“Alright, uncles, may I please

men finally settled

casually pulled up a chair and sat down, with Aaron and Percival standing behind

off, and Mara

had

she had won him over, rejoicing

had

innocently at Mara. “The things you told me were quite convincing,

“What’s that?” Mara demanded.

eyes gleamed with a cunning that belied his youthful face. “I know Vivienne