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 from

yelled, spinning the car around with a deft wheel

scattering foes, not sparing a single one.

gripped Percival tightly, witnessing a man sprawled across

instructed, sheltering Thaddeus’s head as he spotted a

for the car to pursue, so Vivienne

carrying Thaddeus and

Percival approach, the last man standing fired his pistol. However, Percival evaded swiftly, arrived before him in the

the chaos

points to subdue him and the others. They

other, shaking uncontrollably. They had never experienced

collected. She

the window and

before joining Vivienne

him rushing to the scene, arriving with his usual flair, “Holy smokes, that was like a scene straight out of an action movie!

“I’m fine. Take these guys away

paused and said, “Wait, if I

This Leopold was really dull. He had already told him many

he could not help

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

the bottle with trembling hands, offering it to Cordelia, who waved and rejected

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

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