The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival’s car was bulletproof, a rolling fortress that ensured their safety amid the chaos.

Hunkered down beside the vehicle, Vivienne and Percival awaited the right moment to make a break for it.

But Astrid and Alfred were left without adequate cover, squatting behind another car that was riddled with bullet holes and leaking oil, a ticking time bomb waiting to ignite.

Inside the car, Cordelia was in hysterics, but Vivienne had locked the doors for safety, trapping her within.

“Astrid! Vivienne!” Dorian shouted, rolling down the window halfway, “What in the world is happening? Why are there gunshots?”

Vivienne pushed Dorian’s head back inside, yelling, “Get down!”

Observing their surroundings, Percival realized they were sitting ducks – they had come for a birthday celebration, not a gunfight, and were unarmed against the hidden assailants. Their only chance was to pile into his car and get out of there.

However, Astrid and Alfred were at a distance, and rescuing them was no simple task, not to mention the car was already packed to the brim.

As the gunfire continued, Vivienne took charge, instructing Dorian through the window, “Dad, get Thaddeus down by the passenger side footwell. You hold Mom and squeeze in. Hurry!”

Dorian nodded rapidly, thankful Thaddeus was small enough to wiggle into the tight space. Once settled, Vivienne swung open the door and slid into the driver’s seat, with Percival following and shielding Thaddeus.

Vivienne honked twice, signaling to Astrid, who pointed out a route to save them with a circular hand motion.

With a twist of the ignition, Vivienne floored the accelerator, using the bulk of the car to block incoming bullets as Astrid and Alfred dodged the remaining gunfire.

Reaching a rendezvous point, Dorian, flustered by the chaos, forgot to open the door. Astrid leaped through the window, opened the door, and yanked Alfred inside before slamming it shut.

several assailants emerge from the shadows, grenades

spinning the car around with

grenades exploded behind them as Vivienne’s vehicle careened toward the scattering foes, not sparing a single one. The car struck with such force, sending them

Percival tightly, witnessing a man

instructed, sheltering Thaddeus’s head as he spotted a

to pursue, so Vivienne blocked the entrance with the

opened the car door, carrying

fired his pistol. However, Percival evaded swiftly, arrived before

chaos

swiftly applying pressure points to subdue him and the others. They would not die, but they would

They had never experienced anything

calm and collected. She even helped Alfred attend to

on the window and said, “Come on, help us

before joining Vivienne and Percival, tying up the

Leopold had him rushing to the scene, arriving with his usual flair, “Holy smokes, that

an eye roll, Vivienne responded, “I’m fine. Take these

then paused and said, “Wait, if I leave the car, how am I supposed to get

Leopold was really dull. He had already

While waiting, he could not help

allowing Percival to offer

with trembling hands, offering it to Cordelia, who waved and rejected

need for later counseling. Otherwise, what had happened today would certainly traumatize

with Thaddeus. Mr. Wolf will take you home,” Vivienne softly said, ready to wrap up the night’s