The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold's jaw dropped open so wide you'd think he could swallow a baseball whole.

"The deputy chief is back."

Can you believe it? Miracles do happen in this world!

Both the chief and the deputy chief made it out alive!

Buzzing with excitement, he turned to ask, "Vivienne, what does the deputy chief look like now?"

"I had such a crush on her back then, just never got the chance to see her much."

Vivienne lifted her chin a bit, "Well, you could go up and ask for an autograph now. I can wait."

As long as he wasn't worried about Anna going ballistic on him.

Hearing this, Leopold immediately recoiled, "No way, I wouldn't dare!"

"The deputy chief was known as the Vanguard Agency's beauty with an angelic face and a devil's heart. I'm content just catching a glimpse from afar." Vivienne chuckled at him, "Never seen you this scared of my mom, have you?"

"That's different. The chief tends to stay out of these matters and takes good care of us youngsters. But the deputy chief, she's a whole other story." Leopold still broke out in a cold sweat remembering his first day at the Vanguard Agency.

"Oh, you've seen her?"

Leopold shook his head, "Not personally, but I've heard stories. They say the deputy chief once interrogated a top-tier criminal. One second she was gently presenting evidence for him to sign, the next, when the guy refused to cooperate, she... let's just say made quick work of his manhood with a knife."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

No wonder her mom liked her so much. Birds of a feather.

Leopold swallowed hard, "And that's not all. She then had a wolf brought in, right in front of the guy, and let it eat... well, you know. If he refused to talk, she'd just keep cutting, letting him watch as his body parts were devoured piece by piece."

"The whole ordeal didn't last more than ten minutes. The guy spilled everything." Vivienne, "..."

She admitted she might have had a slight misunderstanding about Daphne.

How could such a gentle southern belle smile while doing those things?

Like attracts like, after all.

She knew all too well the influence of her mother.

Percival had been silent, but these stories made him think.

their understanding of each other was clear. She knew exactly what Mr. Wolf

shook her head at him, "If that were the case, Anna would

Percival's gaze deepened.

the more likely they are to

of anyone trying to get close

No exceptions.

Daphne was not just anyone. Plus, she hadn't noticed anything

rush. We'll call my parents later, let them know. My mom will hop on a plane back here the moment she

she could spot it

usual spot

like we'll have to wait until Uncle Maddox's

about a week left

wait until they

this wasn't the scenario he had

part of the Vanguard Agency, he knew more about that person than

way back, Percival got called into the

upcoming engagement party, and the argument over who was the master's favorite apprentice. Thinking back, Leopold felt a

the man

"What did you give to

Leopold paused, then, realizing

"I noticed the master liked collecting rare books lately. Found some

"They... weren't that expensive."

Vivienne, "..."

Not expensive?

from an auction, and he says they weren't

does he truly not know or is he playing

Emerald Mountain is practically

it the books he was after, or the

old man would rather die

but the giver's

I have a trunk full of

Leopold, "..."

Vivienne never

those as gifts, not wanting to make

Wolf's status would shield him, he waited

And besides, you were

swallowed hard,

between