The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne nodded, although she wasn't afraid of Harrison. But now that she was working for the government, she had to tone down her usual aggressive tactics. Just thinking about it made her feel queasy.

It was a moment of madness that had her agreeing to set up a team for the officials. Now every move she made had to be considered through the lens of her new position.

Life used to be simpler. Without this official title, she could have given Harrison and Gavin and their gang a far more creative send-off.

Percival could tell what she was thinking with just one glance. He tapped Vivienne's nose playfully and said, "Times have changed, Vivienne. There's a lot of unknown dangers out there, and we can't be as reckless as we used to be."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Was she being reckless?

Was she?

Well, not really.

Although, she did indeed have to play her cards close to the chest until she figured out who the big boss behind the scenes was and what their agenda entailed.

She smoothed her frown away, recalling something Victoria had mentioned a few days ago. Turning her head, she brought her lips close to Percival's ear, whispering softly.

The warmth of her breath tickled his ear, quickly turning his skin a shade of pink. His arms, which were wrapped around her waist, tightened ever so slightly. His hands, restless and wandering, climbed higher up her back.

Percival's eyes darkened with danger, his Adam's apple bobbing, a dry thirst overwhelming him, his focus entirely fixated on Vivienne's lips. He wanted to kiss her.

The thought burst through his mind with urgency.

had hardly

to resist the ticklish sensation, and stopped his wandering hands

hint of coquetry when she spoke to him, which was as intoxicating as the most

a smirk as he held her chin, "I heard every word, and it's all up here." He tapped his temple, "But right now, I

her ears burn and her grip on his hand

her, Vivienne

if her mind were on anything else, it would be a

widened and, with a quick turn, she slipped off her shoes, and in

in close, her fingers playfully teasing open his shirt buttons, "Mr. Wolf, how about you listen to

began to

without hesitation, he agreed to Vivienne's proposal. His little minx always

hands firmly grasped her waist,

overhead flickered with their movements, casting scattered light across the room. Vivienne, glistening with sweat, finally succumbed to exhaustion and was

wasn't until dawn that they

noon, awoken by the relentless ringing of the

they arrived at the designated meeting place, Harrison and the others had been waiting for who

with a strained smile, "Do you guys even have a sense of time? Why are you

Percival, took her seat beside Richard, her gaze coolly sweeping across the

ringing in his head. On one side was the humiliation of being kicked last time, and on the other was a wary respect for Percival. The two emotions

hand in pretense of politeness, "Victoria, don't be so harsh. Ms. Hawthorn and Mr. Ellington are your close cousins; we're all family here. Whatever you need, we can wait." Richard glanced sideways, seemingly in agreement with Harrison, "That's right, we're all family. Victoria, didn't you say you had something to ask of Percival and Vivienne? Now that they're here, just lay it out." Vivienne raised an eyebrow, her gaze dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, so it's a favor you need. And here I thought from your tone earlier you wanted to

his hand rested on Vivienne's shoulder, and when she spoke, he

shared