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.

tricks in front of her, whether to provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was surely the Millennium Aegis

as she held onto it, Abigail would

open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer,

on the bedside lamp, and Percival turned to her, relieved, "I was about to rush you to the hospital if you didn't wake

"A nap got you

out for six

"Are you saying I'm like

just glad you're well. It's

been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?" Percival hesitated, swept up in her

sure you

she spoke, her fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing more with each

her hand, "Vivienne,

you

speechless as she headed

laughter echoed

He'd been outsmarted.

always

stay in. Seeking a change

a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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 love for children in its intricate

both reached for it, but Percival let her take

like

smiled,

reddened more, yet she never

she picked a blue baby shirt at the

Percival saw through her.

regardless of their personality, would

clothes in her arms, Vivienne felt an unusual surge of happiness as she made her way towards the escalator leading up to the fourth floor

IMS

onto the escalator, she glanced down on a whim. Her eyes suddenly

quickly, making her way

instinctively moved to protect her. "Vivienne,