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.

to interrogate him, but the words halted at

they reached Cordelia’s room, which was already guarded by their own, Dorian burst

began to

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

face darkened, and she strode forward. “Dorian,

and Leopold helped separate Dorian

longer she felt the pulse, the

laced with dread yet clinging to a sliver of

expression was icy as she interrogated him. “Cordelia was poisoned. Why didn’t you tell

what might have happened if she

demeanor after Vivienne spoke, his face turning ashen.

“Bad? If I were any later,

in disbelief,

what’s going on?” Leopold asked, puzzled. With a daughter like Vivienne, so fierce

standing alongside Vivienne. If he didn’t know better, he’d think

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 house, including bugs. If I reached out to Vivienne or Astrid,

They told me

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

Dorian was in a state of

on. “What

face of Hawthorn Perfumes Inc. and to follow their every

Feeling a weight lift from his chest, he said, “I’ve been stalling, didn’t send out the

“Don’t worry. I’ll save

heard everything, exclaimed in disbelief, “What the hell does this puppet master want?