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 in hand, hurling them

spinning the car

The 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

gripped Percival tightly, witnessing

left,” Percival instructed, sheltering Thaddeus’s head as he spotted a

too narrow for the car to pursue, so Vivienne blocked the

opened the car door, carrying Thaddeus and

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

chaos

out, dragging the groggy assailant off the hood and swiftly applying pressure points to subdue him and the others. They would not die, but

other, shaking uncontrollably. They had never experienced anything like this, and they were

and collected. She even helped Alfred

knocked on the window and said, “Come on,

before joining

flair, “Holy smokes, that was like a

responded, “I’m fine.

“Wait, if I leave the car, how am I supposed

He had already told him many people were here, yet he

not help

of the scene, allowing Percival to offer his parents some water. “Mom, Dad, drink this. I’ll

offering it to Cordelia, who waved and rejected it because she

for later counseling. Otherwise, what had happened

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