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.

in the rear-view mirror to see several assailants emerge from the shadows, grenades in hand, hurling them at

yelled, spinning the car around with

attackers. The grenades exploded behind them as Vivienne’s vehicle careened toward the scattering foes, not sparing a single one. The car

witnessing a man sprawled across the

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

for the car to pursue, so

opened the car door, carrying Thaddeus and

his pistol. However, Percival evaded swiftly, arrived before him in the blink of

chaos finally

off the hood and swiftly applying pressure points to subdue him and the others. They would

to each other, shaking uncontrollably. They had never experienced anything like this, and

calm and collected. She even helped Alfred attend

on the window and said,

before joining Vivienne and Percival, tying up

usual flair, “Holy smokes,

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

said, “Wait, if I leave the car, how

dull. He had already told him

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

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

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

for later counseling. Otherwise, what had happened today would

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