The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival came thundering down the stairs, his brows knitted in frustration, and without a word, he aimed a swift kick at Emrys. His icy gaze glided over Victoria with chilling indifference, the frost thawing slightly as his eyes settled on Vivienne.

"The jig is up," he said coolly. "You're like a fish on a chopping board now. What good does it do me to lie to you?"

Vivienne stroked his back soothingly. "Don't stoop to his level. If he had any sense, he wouldn't have been played by Gavin for all these years."

"Emrys, think about it. Gavin's the head of the Abernathy family now. That Littleton scandal's been cold for over a decade. If he wanted you back, would he have let you flounder this long?

As one of the top five influential families, you don't think the Abernathys have the means to hide you in the big city, do you? Besides, he's now under Grimshaw's thumb."

With a mocking smile, Vivienne added, "He's played you for a fool, and yet here you are, guarding his secrets like a loyal hound. I've seen many lapdogs, but one who would send his own mother to perdition? You're a first."

"Shut up!" Emrys roared, nearly delirious, thrashing on the ground.

The commotion woke everyone upstairs. Leopold and Matthew, without even bothering to put on their jackets, bolted down the stairs and landed their feet squarely on Emrys' face.

"Damn it, shut it! You've disturbed my beauty sleep!" Leopold growled, the very picture of a man not to be trifled with when sleep-deprived.

up all night. Just as I'm about to catch some Z's, you wake me. Shut it!" Watching the sleep-deprived pair, Vivienne's lips twitched. She waved them off. "Go back

ma'am," Thomas volunteered, brandishing a roll of duct

wouldn't refuse. She considered Emrys, who was now a bloodied mess on the floor, and decided not to let this valuable asset against Gavin die an ignoble death. She loosened the tape a bit and popped a pill into his mouth before

let you rot in jail. Or two, you can rat out Gavin. Get a lighter

do I

flashed with anger as she

ear. "Because I'm the one who poisoned you, and only I have the antidote." Emrys' eyes rolled frantically; his fingernails dug into his palms as he considered his options. Finally,

there's just one more thing-how to surreptitiously switch out

puzzled. "Switch? I thought we were trading

had just come downstairs, said offhandedly, "That scoundrel would dig up graves. How can

flashed coldly. "So, Vivienne, you're planning

she looked at Percival. "I've never stolen anything in

The rest is up to

gaze lingered on Vivienne. "Heal my mother, and I'll

main hall adorned in a crisp white suit. His attire might have