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.

linger in this remote place, she reluctantly handed over the original recordings to Dracon, "Here are the audio and video originals. Make sure Sasha ends up

betraying

Dracon took a deep breath and wiped

recordings over to Vivienne, placing them

as Dracon entered, the live broadcast

her chair, had been

"Dracon, a word of advice: wander in the dark too much,

had evidence of all Dracon's misdeeds but had spared him since he was part of

primary goal was finding Abigail

now, she

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

he continued his deceit,

Vivienne, Dracon's eyes burned with

by her and Sasha, and he would not

time, he admitted his oversight in not heeding a warning,

"How did it go? Is the video done? Sasha and Arthur's

instinctively stepped back before reaching for Dracon's sleeve, "Shouldn't you give me back the originals now?" Shrugging off her hand with disdain, Dracon scoffed coldly and drove off, leaving a trail

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

room was empty except for a computer streaming their entire

she'd been played

fury, she attempted to smash the computer to stop the broadcast, but