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.

rear-view mirror to see several assailants emerge

yelled, spinning the car around

charging towards the attackers. 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 tumbling through the air before crashing to

Percival tightly, witnessing a man sprawled across

head as he spotted

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

door, carrying Thaddeus

his pistol. However, Percival evaded swiftly, arrived before him in the blink of an eye, and knocked him out cold with

the chaos

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

and Cordelia clung to each other, shaking uncontrollably. They had never experienced anything like this, and they were

She even helped Alfred

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

joining Vivienne and

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

fine. Take these guys away

then paused and said, “Wait, if I leave the car,

really dull. He had already told him many people were here, yet

for backup. While waiting, he could not help but notice Astrid’s and Alfred’s composure

scene, allowing Percival to

Cordelia, who waved and rejected

the need for later counseling. Otherwise, what had happened today

car with Thaddeus. Mr. Wolf will take you home,”