The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dracon sipped his coffee with feigned calmness, realizing he'd teamed up with a disposable ally. If he hadn't handed her the recording device back then, she probably wouldn't have made it this far. "Exactly, that's my plan. Since you've made up your mind, I'll take you somewhere we can get that video done today. Sasha and Arthur's wedding tomorrow? Not happening!" Dracon asserted with unwavering confidence.

Alyssa nodded, grabbed her purse, and followed him, eager to see this through.

Unbeknownst to her, their every move was being live-streamed to a national audience. As for Dracon, Vivienne was on the side, live-streaming while filtering any slips that might reveal his identity, ensuring the broadcast met both their goals.

Dracon opened the car door, ushered Alyssa inside, and they sped off to a rural area.

The village looked desolate, with weeds sprouting from the cracked soil, gently swaying in the breeze.

Alyssa looked around with disdain, furrowing her brow, "Can someone capable of making such high-quality, flawless videos really live in a place like this?"

Dracon, prompted by her question, was reminded of his visit to the reclusive woman in the woods. He patiently replied, "Possibly. After all, people who make these kinds of videos often deal with fabrications, making them targets for retaliation. Hiding out in desolation makes sense."

Alyssa nodded, finding some logic in his words.

They approached a lonely house, a small cabin with several photos hanging outside to dry.

As Alyssa made to enter, Dracon stopped her. "He only agreed to meet with me. I'll go in alone."

Alyssa frowned, "What's the harm in adding one more person?"

Before she could step forward, Dracon urgently held her back, "These types are quirky. If he gets upset by an extra person, our whole plan could fall through!"

Though Dracon seemed off to Alyssa today, his points were valid, leaving her with little to argue.

not wanting to linger in this remote place, she reluctantly handed over the original recordings to

nodded confidently, betraying

a deep breath and wiped the sweat from

the recordings over to Vivienne, placing them on

Dracon entered, the live broadcast

lounging in her chair,

her eyes and seeing Dracon still jittery, she gave a chilling warning, "Dracon, a word of advice: wander in the dark too

had spared him

primary goal was finding Abigail through

now, she

see the error of his ways, perhaps for Yorick's sake, she might

if he continued his deceit,

Dracon's

by her and Sasha, and

oversight in not heeding a warning, which landed him in

cabin and gently closing the door behind him, Alyssa waited outside, anxious for news. "How did it go? Is the video done? Sasha and Arthur's wedding is off?" Dracon's gaze flickered with an indiscernible shade as he looked at her,

before reaching for Dracon's sleeve, "Shouldn't you give me back the originals now?"

desolate countryside, Alyssa's fear turned to realization as she rushed

empty except for a computer streaming their

been played by

computer to stop the broadcast, but