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.

assailants emerge from the shadows, grenades in hand, hurling them at

yelled, spinning the car around with a deft

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

gripped Percival tightly, witnessing a man sprawled

sheltering Thaddeus’s head as he spotted

to pursue, so Vivienne blocked

opened the car door, carrying Thaddeus and covering his

Percival evaded swiftly, arrived before him in the blink of an eye, and knocked

the chaos finally

pressure points

and Cordelia clung to each other, shaking uncontrollably. They had never

collected. She even helped Alfred attend to

on the window and said, “Come

joining Vivienne

arriving with his usual flair, “Holy smokes, that was like a scene straight out of

Vivienne responded, “I’m fine. Take

I leave the car, how

Percival retorted with a smirk. This Leopold was really dull. He had already told him many people were here, yet he

waiting, he could not help but notice

the scene, allowing Percival to offer his

took the bottle with trembling hands, offering it to Cordelia, who waved and rejected it because she was too dizzy

a calming pill, noting the need for later counseling. Otherwise, what had happened today would certainly traumatize them for

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