The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As soon as the door swung open, there was Jerry, lounging on the couch with a contract in hand, earbuds dangling from his ears, grinning at Finnian.

“Finnian, long tno see, buddy.” Finnian slammed the door shut, immediately storming into another bedroom.

Holy smokes, Larry was here! He was fiddling with a pocketknife, grinning ear to ear. “Hey Finnian, missed me?” Finnian had caught on by now. He stood at the door, taking deep breaths before bellowing, “You bunch of troublemakers, get out here, now!” Door after door opened, and everyone except Leopold lined up in front of Finnian.

Smiles were plastered on their faces, but their eyes were full of schemes.

Dawson burst out furiously, “Do you have any idea how much your funeral cost me? Pay up!” Jerry looked genuinely baffled. “Finnian, what's with the fake death stunt? You're breaking our hearts.” Daniel, fists pumping in the air, yelled, “I ditched so much stuff to cback for your supposed passing, nearly got myself killed on the road!” Eric, counting on his fingers with a sinister tone, added, “I almost blew myself up in the lab trying to figure out what killed you, and here you are, alive and kicking!” Donald was grinding his teeth. “Fun to fake your death, huh? You know how long it took us to crawl out of the mental scar of your ‘death’?” Brian, frowning deeply, pointed outside to a husky tied up. “Finnian, you owe us an explanation.” Larry clenched his fist, threatening, “If you don’t clear things up, I'm gonna let that dog tear up your vegetable patch on South Mountain.” [x] Gary was livid at the mention of the vegetable patch, saying, “Those plants were my blood, sweat, and tears under the scorching 95-degree sun!” The eight disciples surrounded Finnian like debt collectors from hell. Poor Finnian felt his brain swell.

Thank goodness little Leopold was not around, or his wailing would have pushed Finnian over the edge! Vivienne was relishing the drama downstairs, sipping red wine with a smirk.

She was not naive; Finnian agreeing to stay with her so easily meant he was planning a getaway.

She and Percival could not keep tabs on him alone, but now, with this crew...

“Let's see him try!” She thought.

Percival crept down silently, sitting next to Vivienne, casually draping an arm around her shoulders.

But the disciples upstairs, as if they had eyes in the back of their heads, glared down at Percival, “Hands off her, now!” Finnian, fists raised, egged them on. “Go on, my disciples, rescue Vivienne!” “Finnian, you'd better explain yourself first!” Finnian’s raised fists sank once more.

Percival’s hand not only stayed on Vivienne’s shoulder but pulled her even closer.

“Where's Leopold?” Percival inquired.

Leaning on Percival’s shoulder, Vivienne said with gravity, “He mentioned something about Vance needing him.” Percival’s brow furrowed slightly; it must be that mission Vance mentioned earlier.

After hearing Finnian out, Percival was convinced the ancient warrior lineage was deep waters indeed.

What was Vance plotting by sending Leopold into the thick of it? Vivienne set down her wine glass, yawning. “Keep an eye on Finnian tonight. I'm hitting the hay.” “Will do, mission accepted,” Percival assured, affectionately ruffling her hair before kissing her lips.

“Percival, get your lips back!” Cthe chorus from the disciples upstairs.

Percival shrugged. “Keep an eye on Finnian. He's on the move.” Barely 10 feet out the door, Finnian’s escape was blown by Percival’'s words, and the disciples were hot on his heels, shouting for an explanation.

In despair, Finnian covered his ears. The karmic payback of his youth was coming to haunt him.

Why did he ever take on so many disciples? Especially Vivienne! That cunning girl had rallied other disciples, and now his life was on the line! Utterly exasperated.

Plus, he could not poison his disciples, no matter how tempting it might be! The eight of them nagged Finnian until the wee hours, starting with demands for payback and explanations, then sharing their hardships over the years, eventually insisting Finnian kick Percival out or else forgiveness was off the table.

Not until they ran out of steam and tears did they sprawl across the beds and floors, each clutching a piece of Finnian as they drifted into a heavy sleep.

None noticed the faint, strange scent in the air, deepening their slumber.

In the dead of night, Percival’s eyes snapped open, covering his mouth and nose.

Being a night owl, he sensed the anomaly instantly and was on high alert.

He slipped out to check on Vivienne, who was sound asleep.

“Vivienne, wake up,” he murmured, but she was out cold.

Frowning, Percival checked her breathing—steady. She was just asleep; no harm was done.

Relieved, he crept to the room where Finnian and the disciples were. Upon entering, he found them knocked out, sprawled across every surface, even the husky outside sleeping belly up.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

But Finnian was gone.

Hearing a noise downstairs, Percival vaulted over the fence, landing silently on the first floor.

Sure enough, the previously locked window was flung wide open, the security system sabotaged.

This was supposedly the crde la crof security systems - so tight that not even a fly could buzz its way out. Sabotaging it would be no small feat.

As it turned out, Finnian had sreal tricks up his sleeve.

Percival casually grabbed his jacket from the sofa. It was the dead of night, and there was a chill in the air that crept through the walls. Slipping into his coat, he followed the trail at a leisurely pace.

But no sooner had he stepped outside than he spotted Finnian perched atop the garden wall, waving at him with a cocky grin. “Kid, you think you can catch me? Maybe in a few years,” Finnian called out.

With that taunt, Finnian leaped down from his perch.

Percival did not hesitate; he took off after him at a brisk walk that quickly turned into a run. Much to his surprise, his foot suddenly sank into a gaping hole that appeared out of nowhere.

Luckily, Percival’s reflexes were sharp. As one leg plunged into the pit, he vaulted forward with the other, propelling himself out of the trap with a powerful leap.

But no sooner had he landed than a tingling sensation shot through his toes. Looking down, he realized he had narrowly missed a live wire! Anger flared within Percival.

This Finnian was playing for keeps. First a bomb, now a booby-trapped pit? What deadly gwas this?