The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Brody snorted coldly at Vivienne. “Just you wait. I’ll concoct a poison that makes yours look like cherry

soda, and you won’t even know what hit you when you’re lying six feet under!”

Without missing a beat, Brian’s hand connected with a resounding smack to the back of Brody’s head.

“What’s with that tone? You talking to Vivienne like that? Looking for a knuckle sandwich?”

“You already gave me one!” Brody roared back.

Brian, unimpressed, hoisted Brody up by his collar and started fiddling with his face, poking and

prodding. “Your face is quite real, isn’t it?”

Right now, Brody was tied up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey, unable to make any moves, much less

poison anyone. His sharp tongue was about the only weapon he had left.

Seizing a moment of distraction, Brody sank his teeth into Brian’s finger. “This is my real face!”

Instantly, Brian’s finger started to turn a shade of purple as vivid as a ripe eggplant.

Vivienne casually dusted some powder on Brian’s hand, then looked at Brody. “You’re quite the spring

chicken.”

She had to admit Brody’s disguise was top-notch.

Back in the loony bin, she had not even realized he was in disguise.

She had truly thought that the nerdy loser look was Brody’s actual face.

Tsk.

She had underestimated her adversary.

“The secret’s in the moisturizer!” Brody panted, plopping onto the floor. “Brian, cut me loose. I’m a small

fry, really. I’ve got bigger fish for you.”

Brian’s interest was piqued, poison forgotten. “Bigger fish? Who?”

Brody wiggled a bit. “Untie me first.”

“Spill first,” Brian retorted, unmoved.

Brody took a deep breath, feeling like a caged lion taunted by mutts.

“Ever heard of GTO? They’ve got a second-in-command, who goes by Mr. B. I’ve seen her. The bounty

on her head…”

“Is ten times yours!” Brian’s eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down

eagerly. “Describe Mr. B to me.”

Vivienne’s interest was piqued, too.

To think Brody had seen Mr. B’s face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid eyes on.

Brody’s eyes darted around. “She’s a dame, about five-six, with chestnut waves.”

Brian nodded eagerly. “And?”

“And you cut me loose, then I’ll spill the beans!”

“Damn!” Brian cursed, shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. “Believe me, I’ll let

Vivienne here poison you dead!”

Brody, unfazed, scoffed at the threat. “Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B’s bounty, too. Go

ahead, I dare you!”

Brian was at a loss.

But the idea of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B’s bounty – which would be a

jackpot ten times Brody’s size – was unbearable.

In Brian’s world, looks did not matter; high bounties were the true beauties.

Seeing Brian’s dilemma brought a smirk to Brody’s face. “Cut me loose, and you have my word.”

“Shut it!” Brian was not one to let go of either quarry.

What kind of bounty hunter would he be if he was not greedy?

Vivienne watched as Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a

potion hidden on Brody’s person.

Brody’s eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. “Hey, that’s mine.”

“I’ll give it to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian’s

hunting,” Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand.

Brian stood by her side, wisely holding his tongue.

Once Vivienne had spoken, not even his greed could overstep.

Brody eyed Vivienne warily. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course. Just tell me what Mr. B looks like, and I’ll make sure you have everything you need for your

experiments,” Vivienne replied coolly.

Brody was the only one who had seen Mr. B and could potentially spill the beans – easier to handle

than a wildcard like Scott.

She was not about to let this chance slip away.

Brody still could not believe it, eyeing her suspiciously.

Vivienne squatted down, her gaze intense. “You’re the most talented poison master I’ve ever seen.

Your concoctions have earned a place in my collection, and you’re the only one who can unlock the

secrets of this potion. Your expertise isn’t just in poisons. If you wanted to create antidotes, you’d do it

with ease. Even this potion, I’ve been at it for ages with no luck, but you – you can crack it. I respect

you, really.”

“You’re serious?” Brody could hardly trust his ears.

This was not just any recognition; it was from the Specter Healer herself!

He could scarcely believe that his long-time rival was actually showing him respect.

How could that be?

Vivienne nodded. “Yes, if you can help me find the antidote for this potion, my respect for you will only

grow.”

“Deal! I’ll get to work on that antidote right now!” And so, with flattery from Vivienne, Brody’s resistance

crumbled.

All he could hear was her saying how much more she would respect him.

A rare opportunity to one-up the Specter Healer? He would be a fool to pass it up!

Especially since he was convinced, he was the only one who could unravel the potion’s secrets!

Vivienne’s lips curled into a sly smile.

He really was an easy mark.

She handed the potion back to Brody. “So, what does Mr. B look like?”

“A lady, five-six, chestnut hair, weighs about 215, with a scar about an inch long on her face, almond

eyes, thin lips. Didn’t catch much more.”

Brody shifted his shoulders. “Untie me, and I’ll draw her for you.”

Brian was hesitant, but Vivienne had already started to loosen Brody’s bonds.

Brody obediently sketched out a rough portrait of Mr. B and said, “I only caught a glimpse that day.

Couldn’t make out much more than this.”

Vivienne glanced at the drawing.

Hmm…

It was hard to put into words.

Brian cursed, “You call this a portrait?”

“Let’s see you do better,” Brody retorted, unwilling to back down as he stared at Brian.

Brian grabbed a pencil and refined Brody’s attempt, “How about now?”Books Chapters Are Daily

Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates…

“Well, I’ll be damned. You’ve actually got some talent,” Brody remarked, admiring Brian’s stubby

fingers, which were surprisingly adept.

Vivienne took a look at the portrait. Although it resembled a human now, picking this face out of a

crowd would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Especially since Mr. B was a master of disguise.

This made her most distinctive feature, a scar, all the more concealable.

Vivienne snapped a photo of the drawing and sent it to Draven.

[Nationwide manhunt. Approach with caution, not alarming the target. Handle it yourself.]

The second-in-command of GTO was notoriously vigilant. If they tipped her off, the target would be

long gone before they could even get close.

That was why Vivienne refrained from issuing a call to arms through the Order of Nine Mystics Society.

Besides, Draven had pretty much mastered the art of disguise from Rowan and Ismene, making him

one of the best within the Nine Mystics Society.

Leaving the task to him seemed like the safest bet.

Draven’s text came back swiftly, [Understood.]