The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

For whatever reason, getting involved now just wasn't the best timing.

It all hinged on Anna making the next move.

Thinking back to the puzzled tone in Anna's voice over the phone, "Vivienne, this can't be happening..." she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Percival, seeing her furrowed brow, knew she was overthinking again. He reached out, gently pressed his thumb against her forehead, and soothed, "Vivienne, Anna's more than capable now, we don't need to worry about her." Vivienne nodded in agreement.

That was the very reason she could let Anna investigate on her own; Anna had learned from the best - her.

To uncover the truth with her own hands, rather than through someone else's findings.

Returning home, Vivienne fell into a deep, unexpected nap that lasted till nightfall.

Waking up, it was too dark outside to see clearly.

Her phone had missed calls, none from Anna, but from Draven.

Sitting up, she redialed, "Draven?"

"The target, Declan, made his move."

Vivienne urged, "Go on."

"This afternoon, we caught him using shadow signals with his fingers under the light. But the gestures aren't in our decryption database. He's not talking either." Vivienne's voice was stern, "Send me the surveillance footage."

"Right away."

The moment she hung up, the video arrived. As Draven described, Declan was indeed signally something.

But it wasn't a code; it was an old-world charm she'd encountered in her paranormal studies.

Translated, it meant, "For the greater good, eternal."

Vivienne's lips curled into a wry smile.

Declan's "greater good" was nothing but the delusions Abigail had fed him.

Yet, these mind games were beneath her.

in front of her, whether to provoke or

she held onto it, Abigail

creaked open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions drawing a laugh

to her, relieved, "I was about to rush you to the

an eyebrow, "A nap got you this

for six hours. I was

I'm like a pig now? All eat

kissed her gently, "I'm just glad you're well.

She playfully pulled him closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?"

sure you

over her blouse buttons,

her hand,

you think? I'm

as she headed to

echoed through

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always be reclaimed, with interest,

didn't stay in. Seeking a change of scenery, they ended up at

restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't look away. Percival teased,

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

lately, she found herself drawn to anything related to babies, especially cute, soft-colored baby clothes. She even toyed with the idea of

store, a white tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a

as they both reached for it, but Percival let her take

blushed, "I just like

smiled,

reddened more, yet she never put

she didn't mind the baby's gender, she picked a

Percival saw through her.

of their personality, would

of happiness as she made her way towards the escalator leading up

IMS

she glanced down

around quickly, making her

instinctively moved to protect her. "Vivienne, what's