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.

the rear-view mirror to see several assailants emerge

on tight!” She yelled, spinning the

throttle hit the floor, 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

Percival tightly, witnessing a man sprawled

Thaddeus’s head as he spotted a

for the car to pursue, so

car door, carrying Thaddeus and covering his

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

chaos

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

They had never

very calm and collected. She even helped Alfred attend to his arm

on the window and said, “Come on, help

Astrid exchanged glances before joining Vivienne and Percival,

to the scene, arriving with his usual flair, “Holy smokes, that was like a

responded, “I’m fine. Take these guys away

that,” Leopold replied, then paused and said, “Wait, if I leave the car,

This Leopold was really dull. He had already told

called for backup. While waiting, he could not help but

men arrived, they took care of the scene, allowing Percival to offer his parents

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

each a calming pill, noting the need for later counseling. Otherwise, what

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