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.

time was not on Gillian’s side. F-Poison had abandoned her, and finding shelter was urgent, or she

Linklater. You’re my only hope now. If you don’t help me, I’m

me this once, and I

“There’s only one option left for you. Whether it works is up to

is it?” Gillian’s eyes

was still engaged in his chess game with Yorick.

“What do you mean?”

agency, like Thomas and Micah, are his people. If you want back in, his word is the only one that will carry

How could

with more animosity than a star-crossed feud. It was almost impossible to have Percival help

the box. Good luck.”

bottle and let

then. Take care of yourself, and when Vivienne’s free, we’ll visit. Oh,

his smile knowing.

the unspoken message and took his

the Linklater Mansion, he found Gillian waiting at the entrance with a look

your business, Mr. Ellington?” Gillian asked, clutching her purse

head to toe, an icy

up. I’m in a hurry to get back downtown. Could

a scoffing laugh, Percival unlocked his car. “Get

how easily he agreed. She had thought she would

little

into the passenger seat, the spray bottle concealed in her

for our past,

eyebrow and smiled.

I don’t know how I could ever repay you…

about you come with me

misjudged him. Without Vivienne by

said, letting her fingers brush against Percival’s

his eyes, smoothly dodging her

her hand was nothing but an annoyance—hideous and

all yours.” She relaxed, realizing she wouldn’t need

its sprawling grounds, was isolated, far from any residential areas.

in the back seat of the car