The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 452

Brody snorted coldly at Vivienne. "Just you wait. I'll concoct a poison that makes yours look like cherry soda, and you won't even know what hit you when you're lying six feet under!"

Without missing a beat, Brian's hand connected with a resounding smack to the back of Brody's head. "What's with that tone? You talking to Vivienne like that? Looking for a knuckle sandwich?"

"You already gave me one!" Brody roared back.

Brian, unimpressed, hoisted Brody up by his collar and started fiddling with his face, poking and prodding. "Your face is quite real, isn’t it?"

Right now, Brody was tied up tighter than a Thanksgiving turkey, unable to make any moves, much less poison anyone. His sharp tongue was about the only weapon he had left.

Seizing a moment of distraction, Brody sank his teeth into Brian's finger. "This is my real face!"

Instantly, Brian's finger started to turn a shade of purple as vivid as a ripe eggplant.

Vivienne casually dusted some powder on Brian's hand, then looked at Brody. "You're quite the spring chicken."

She had to admit Brody's disguise was top-notch.

Back in the loony bin, she had not even realized he was in disguise.

She had truly thought that the nerdy loser look was Brody's actual face.

Tsk.

She had underestimated her adversary.

"The secret's in the moisturizer!" Brody panted, plopping onto the floor. "Brian, cut me loose. I'm a small fry, really. I've got bigger fish for you."

Brian's interest was piqued, poison forgotten. "Bigger fish? Who?"

Brody wiggled a bit. "Untie me first."

"Spill first," Brian retorted, unmoved.

Brody took a deep breath, feeling like a caged lion taunted by mutts.

"Ever heard of GTO? They've got a second-in-command, who goes by Mr. B. I've seen her. The bounty on her head..."

"Is ten times yours!" Brian's eyes might as well have turned into dollar signs as he crouched down eagerly. "Describe Mr. B to me."

Vivienne's interest was piqued, too.

To think Brody had seen Mr. B's face, a visage not even the likes of Quincy had laid eyes on.

Brody's eyes darted around. "She's a dame, about five-six, with chestnut waves."

Brian nodded eagerly. "And?"

"And you cut me loose, then I'll spill the beans!"

"Damn!" Brian cursed, shooting a glance at Vivienne. His confidence swelled again. "Believe me, I'll let Vivienne here poison you dead!"

Brody, unfazed, scoffed at the threat. "Do it. Poison me. Then, say goodbye to Mr. B's bounty, too. Go ahead, I dare you!"

Brian was at a loss.

But the idea of just letting Brody walk and, with it, any leads on Mr. B's bounty – which would be a jackpot ten times Brody's size – was unbearable.

In Brian's world, looks did not matter; high bounties were the true beauties.

Seeing Brian's dilemma brought a smirk to Brody's face. "Cut me loose, and you have my word."

"Shut it!" Brian was not one to let go of either quarry.

What kind of bounty hunter would he be if he was not greedy?

Vivienne watched as Brody played Brian like a fiddle, then stepped forward with a smile, retrieving a potion hidden on Brody's person.

Brody's eyes were full of anguish as he watched his pilfered potion taken from him. "Hey, that's mine."

"I'll give it to you. Plus, I can offer you a lab to continue your research and protection from Brian's hunting," Vivienne said, toying with the potion in her hand.

Brian stood by her side, wisely holding his tongue.

Once Vivienne had spoken, not even his greed could overstep.