The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The chill in the air took everyone by surprise over the next few days.

Vivienne, thanks to her pregnancy, found herself succumbing to sleep more than ever, spending the majority of her day either eating or curled up in bed.

Percival, worried about leaving her alone, stayed by her side constantly.

One afternoon, while Vivienne was deep in slumber, her phone on the bedside table began to vibrate.

Seeing the caller ID, Percival picked it up and stepped outside to answer.

"Boss!" came Draven's voice through the phone.

"It's me," Percival replied with a stern voice. "Vivienne's asleep. What's the matter?"

Draven paused briefly, then quickly said, "Percival, Declan's made another move. But these symbols, only you can decipher them. We think he's trying to send a message out." Percival frowned. "Did the surveillance catch anything unusual?"

Draven's response was firm. "Nothing at all."

Percival's gaze darkened slightly. "Keep an eye on him. Report back with any suspicions. I'll inform Vivienne."

When Vivienne woke up, she turned to see Percival sitting by her side, which warmed her heart. "Mr. Wolf, what time is it?"

Percival looked at her, closing his laptop gently. "You're awake. It's seven in the evening."

Vivienne rubbed her temples. "Why do I feel like I can sleep forever?"

Percival took her hand and massaged her temples gently. "Hungry? I'll whip up something you love."

She glanced outside at the night sky and nodded. Her morning sickness had been particularly bad before she fell asleep, leaving her stomach feeling incredibly empty.

As Percival stood to leave, he handed her the phone. "Draven called. There's been some activity on Declan's end. I've forwarded the details to your phone. Take a look while I get started on dinner."

Percival left, Vivienne sat up and unlocked her

Draven was already two hours old, containing a surveillance video. She watched it, noting the addition of several cryptic gestures

tray of food just as Vivienne was puzzling over

shook her head. "Some of these gestures are

"I'll have Thomas stick close to you from tomorrow.

taking a

the Martinez family. He'll be tied up for a

for Leopold, who was unaware that these gestures

need to rely solely on Thomas," she suggested to Mr.

this for a moment then nodded. "That works. Anna, being a woman, might be more attentive

next morning, before Percival and Vivienne even left the house, Anna was already waiting

approached and stood at attention.

nodded slightly. "Are you feeling

fine now," Anna responded,

call from Mr. Wolf. "Vivienne, the Watson family has unearthed the Wright family's blueprints. I'm heading there now. Let's meet in half an

an eyebrow, puzzled by the timing of the Watson

Anna,

and sped off in the opposite

they arrived at the Wright family estate nearly simultaneously with another car. Matthew, who

then turned to

Wolf, where's

gaze,

toward the car with a

boomed from beside the vehicle, "Over here,

clutching a roll of blueprints, jogged

the sight of him. "What are you doing here, Leo? Weren't you busy picking out a gift for

should thank Percival for this. One clever sentence from him, and