The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Listening to the man’s words, F-Poison was quite pleased. She straightened up and, with a slender finger, gave a gentle pat on the man’s shoulder.

“You’re destined for great things,” she said with a wink. “Let’s ditch the self-doubt, okay? I’ve got a good feeling about you.”

The man nodded slightly, his face an unreadable mask. “Understood,” he replied quietly.

Seemingly content, F-Poison patted his cheek and, stifling a yawn, wandered back to her room to rest.

The man stood still for a moment, a cold glint flickering in his eyes. His pocket vibrated with the buzz of his personal cellphone, ringing with a call from abroad.

“Yeah? What? Alright, got it.”

After ending the call with icy indifference, he turned and walked away.

…

Gillian made her way to the Linklater estate; her previous visit and good rapport with Dracon ensured the guards let her pass without issue.

After a thorough check, she was finally inside the Linklater Mansion. To her surprise, as soon as she entered, she saw Percival sitting in the living room, deeply engrossed in conversation with Yorick.

Gillian paused, not expecting to see him there.

Percival seemed to not even notice her, continuing his chat with Yorick.

Only Dracon came forward to greet her, and they headed to the back garden.

“How could you be so careless to have Vance oust you? Do you have any idea how hard I worked to get you in there?” Dracon scolded as soon as they were alone.

If Yorick hadn’t been under the weather these past few days, he would’ve been at Gillian’s doorstep to give her a piece of his mind for bungling such a simple task.

Gillian felt wronged.

Who would’ve thought an armored vehicle transporting a felon could get hijacked? The Vanguard Agency was massive, yet the perpetrator had vanished without a trace. Even the higher-ups couldn’t protect Gillian now.

She was left waiting for news.

on Gillian’s side. F-Poison had abandoned her, and finding shelter was urgent, or she would face an even worse fate than

see this coming, Mr. Linklater. You’re my only hope now. If you don’t help me, I’m at a loss!” Gillian clasped Dracon’s wrist, her voice

me this once, and

only one option left for you.

is it?” Gillian’s

nodded toward the living room, where Percival was still engaged

“What do you mean?”

the agency, like Thomas and Micah, are his people. If you want back in, his word is the

lip. How could

animosity than a star-crossed

You’ll need to think outside the box.

bottle and let out a

yourself, and when Vivienne’s free, we’ll visit. Oh, and she reminded you to take your meds

knowing. “Will do.

understood the unspoken message

he found Gillian waiting at the entrance with a

clutching her purse and

an icy edge to

the tow service hasn’t shown up. I’m in a hurry to get back downtown. Could you possibly give

a scoffing laugh, Percival unlocked his

She had thought

the same – a little flutter

the passenger seat, the

forgiven me for

and smiled. “I don’t

don’t know how I

come with me somewhere?”

smirked. She hadn’t misjudged him. Without Vivienne by his side, he was

letting her fingers brush against

his eyes, smoothly dodging her

his eyes, her hand was nothing but an annoyance—hideous and

She relaxed, realizing she wouldn’t

isolated, far from

in the back seat of the car without realizing