The Million-Dollar Heart

Griffin bit her lip, her worry evident in her wide eyes.

No matter how much you prepare, the thing you fear the most always seems to find a way to happen.

"Vivienne, you don't think the guys will take Leopold out back for a rough-up, do you?" she whispered, sneaking over to ask Vivienne.

The only outcome she could imagine was Leopold getting a piece of their minds, quite literally.

Vivienne offered a reassuring smile, "Don't worry about it. They know better than to actually hurt Leopold."

At most, they'll find some other way to vent.

Meanwhile...

Leopold was cornered in an empty parking lot, surrounded by a group that looked less than pleased to see him. Jerry, cracking his knuckles leisurely, led the charge. "Alright, Leopold, spill it. How are we handling this?" With a heavy heart, Leopold glanced at the intimidating setup and then back at the two brothers pinning him down, swallowing hard.

This was a setup if he'd ever seen one.

Accustomed to playing the weaker card, he immediately went for sympathy, "Guys, come on. Today's the christening party for Vivienne's twins. If I show up looking like I've been mugged, what will people think?" Daniel snorted, cutting him off, "You think Vivienne's always going to take your side?"

As if they were invisible in Vivienne's eyes.

Jerry sighed, looking directly at Leopold, "We've been good to you, haven't we?"

Leopold, knowing full well he'd kicked the hornet's nest this time, could only nod in agreement, afraid to utter another word.

Jerry raised an eyebrow, "And how have you repaid our kindness?"

about fair competition, but here was Leopold, sneaking

were they supposed to swallow

Silence from Leopold.

matter what, this pit was not one he could talk his way

the sympathy card, "Jerry, I swear, I wasn't on

by the collar with a threatening tone, questioned, "Becoming godfather to Vivienne's

Leopold blinked earnestly, nodding.

swore it was a

would have thought

white pill, his demeanor icy, "Not coming clean, huh? Good thing I've got a new concoction from the lab. You'll be the first human test subject." Leopold panicked,

for being ruthless, whatever he was proposing could have serious side

on the horizon, any

"That's more

"I swear, I didn't do anything. I just asked

kidding, right? Just asked and she agreed? What, do

you can fool us with that excuse? Do you think Vivienne's easy

were too slick. Not honest, huh?

do your

still, the other ready with a handful of peanuts, about to shove them in his mouth. Leopold, allergic

showing up swollen and red was not an option. Vivienne and their mentor would have his

desperation, Leopold blurted out, "I swear on the Sterling family name, I'm telling the truth.

of his family's wrath, they considered

If I've lied about anything, do whatever you

huddled, whispering, "Maybe he didn't have the guts after all. If Vivienne agreed, there must be a reason."

unable to keep his mouth shut,

earned him