The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As Dorian’s panicked shout pierced the air, Vivienne and the others snapped to attention. Rushing to the doorway, they caught up to Dorian just as he was bolting towards the garage.

“Whoa, hold up, cowboy!” Leopold grabbed Dorian’s arm. “We’ll drive you. Where to?”

“The hospital! Step on it, to Downtown Medical Center!”

His voice was raw with urgency, his fingers quivering like aspen leaves in the wind. He looked like a kid who’d lost his favorite toy, eyes red and swollen with the threat of tears.

Only now did Vivienne notice the change in Dorian, whom she hadn’t seen in a few days. Silver streaks had begun to weave into his hair like frost creeping over autumn leaves.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before cold realization dawned upon her. She remembered Cordelia’s mysterious disappearance, and her expression turned to stone.

“Leopold, floor it!” she ordered.

Percival was already on the phone with Thomas. “Get the guys closest to Downtown Medical Center on it, pronto! Find a patient named Cordelia Wilson. And make it snappy!”

They managed to shave the usual half-hour drive down to mere minutes.

Upon reaching the hospital lobby, Thomas was already there waiting. Dorian didn’t need guidance; he punched the elevator button and headed straight for the wards.

“What’s the situation?” Vivienne asked, with Percival and the others close on her heels.

Percival glanced at Thomas, lowering his voice as he asked.

Thomas shook his head, hinting at grim news. “No idea when she was admitted, but I’ve got people digging into it. As for the poison in her system, only Vivienne,” he nodded at Vivienne, “can likely deal with that.”

The elevator wasn’t big enough to contain the tension. Everyone heard Thomas’s words, including Vivienne, who turned a sharp gaze back to Dorian.

but the words halted at

own, Dorian burst in. Seeing Cordelia resting

tears began to cascade down his

bed, her complexion ghostly pale, her lips devoid of color. Her usually gentle eyes were shut tightly, as if bearing

darkened, and she strode forward. “Dorian,

Percival and Leopold helped separate

wrist, and the longer she

she?” he asked, voice laced with dread yet

Why didn’t you tell me? Who

anger was palpable. She couldn’t bear to think what might have happened if she hadn’t come today.

shift in Dorian’s demeanor after Vivienne spoke, his face turning ashen.

later, the

muttering to himself in disbelief, “They promised to

With a daughter like Vivienne, so fierce

alongside Vivienne. If he didn’t know better, he’d think the broken man before them was an

Astrid about Cordelia, they’d kill her on the spot. Just last week, they ambushed her on

“They knew everything; they were always one step ahead. They told me which room Cordelia was in and made me

resembling her mother’s, Dorian couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed

Dorian was in a

deep breath and pressed on. “What do they want you

Ramona the face of Hawthorn Perfumes Inc. and to follow their every

from his chest, he said, “I’ve been stalling, didn’t

worry. I’ll

“What the hell does this puppet master want? All