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.

wanted to interrogate him, but the words halted

Cordelia’s room, which was already guarded by their own, Dorian burst in. Seeing Cordelia resting peacefully, a semblance

Cordelia’s hand tightly, tears began to cascade

ghostly pale, her lips devoid of color. Her usually gentle eyes were shut tightly,

strode forward.

Percival and Leopold helped separate Dorian from

Cordelia’s wrist, and the longer she felt the pulse, the graver

voice laced with dread

interrogated him. “Cordelia was poisoned. Why didn’t you tell me? Who has been

bear to think what might have happened

caught the shift in Dorian’s demeanor after Vivienne spoke, his

“Bad? If I were any later, the Hawthorn family would be planning

muttering to himself in disbelief, “They promised to

daughter like Vivienne, so fierce and capable, what could possibly

he didn’t know better, he’d think the broken man before them was an imposter, not the Dorian

if I informed Vivienne or Astrid about Cordelia, they’d kill her on the spot. Just last week, they ambushed her on her grocery run, drugged her, took her to this hospital, and then called me. They said they had surveillance all over the

knew everything; they were always one step ahead. They told me which room Cordelia was in and made me watch her suffer, powerless to do anything. I didn’t know what

Dorian couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by this shadowy

Cordelia to threaten him. Dorian was in a state of panic, unable to think

pressed on. “What do they want you to

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

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

him, “Don’t worry. I’ll

in disbelief, “What the hell