The Million-Dollar Heart

Micah scrutinized each document that Percival had brought in. It was all there: the irrefutable evidence that exonerated Vivienne, Fiona's confession to setting her up, and Calista's damning testimony on how she had stolen Vivienne's fingerprints and plotted a murder in the OR.

Without a doubt, Vivienne was innocent.

With an indifferent curl of his slightly chapped lips, Micah returned the papers to Percival. "Good job," he said, the understatement hanging between them like a silent applause.

Percival locked eyes with Micah, his mentor at the Vanguard Agency, second only to Karen in authority. A crooked smile formed on his lips. "I think so too. I did do a damn good job!"

Their gaze held for a heavy moment, neither man breaking the silence.

The air grew thick with tension.

Leopold, Thomas, and Soren, who was standing off to the side, all watched Micah intently. They knew Micah had been obstructing their every move, sidelining the Vanguard Agency, and keeping everyone out of the loop everyone except Soren, whom he had left in the dark about the true purpose of their mission.

Those who made it into the Vanguard Agency were no fools; Micah's actions were purposeful. But the question that hung over them was why he targeted Vivienne and Percival. Was it a personal vendetta, or were there strings being pulled from behind the scenes?

After what seemed an eternity, Micah finally broke into a grin. "Well, the higher-ups have spoken. Vivienne is free to go."

He paused before adding, "But let's be clear, she might not be so lucky next time. If she's tangled up with CK, I won't look the other way, not even for you."

Percival chuckled. "There won't be a next time. If Vivienne ever breaks the law, you won't need to get involved. I'll bring her in myself, Micah."

How he would 'bring her in' was another matter entirely.

Micah's eyes narrowed, his voice chilling. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

In the past, Percival would have addressed him as 'boss,' but now, not even that courtesy was extended. The kid had grown up, out of his control.

Adjusting his goggles, Percival did not linger. Instead, he waved to his brothers-in-arms. "Wrap it up. Micah's buying dinner tonight."

word was law. The team responded enthusiastically, though a few still looked to Micah for

everyone knew the Vanguard Agency of Rivenwood was under

the first to leave for headquarters, while

Even though he did not like Vivienne, he would never treat her as a

was shocked. But as the captain of Vanguard Agency's third special squad, he could not back down

unsure of what to

If he were to spar with Anna now, the outcome would be

squad out, pausing only

snapped a salute. "Yes,

gave her a lingering look as if to say, "Now you remember

gone, Vivienne and Percival also headed back to the

still puzzled. How had Percival

she asked

driving, knew they could speak freely among themselves. "Percival went over a few heads and reported the capture of Belle directly to the top brass. It was against protocol, but someone

of Leopold's rambling, Anna grasped a key question. "Who

a knowing glance and a smile but

asked, "Yeah, who was it? They've got

had been too busy celebrating Percival's promotion to wonder about the benefactor. Now, thanks

their current ranks, any further promotion would be an

example. If he were to be promoted, other than making some astonishing achievements, he would have to wait for Percival to be transferred to have a chance at the position of captain. Even so,

been promoted to deputy director while

keep driving. The mystery

the back

for sure. But the real movers

managed to get the news of Belle's arrest back to headquarters, bypassing several layers

unnamed individuals, it became even more evident that the traitor was among

Sky, and