Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

12. Funfair

Chapter 12

Funfair

T he fair is bursting with excitement, laughter, and energy. People of all ages explore the unique attractions, try their luck at carnival games for flashy prizes, and indulge in sweet treats like cotton candy and funnel cakes. The colorful lights and festive atmosphere create a joyful ambiance that is impossible to resist.

I can finally let loose and have fun. Forget my worries and immerse myself in the festive atmosphere.

We stroll through the twinkling lights of the fair, carefree. The summer wind makes the skirt of my dress flutter around me. Kai is silent until he comes to a halt in front of a shooting booth with yellow metallic ducks that pass by on a conveyor belt. The sound of shots fired rings out, adding to the lively atmosphere of the fair.

“I said I’d get you a teddy bear, right?” Kai says.

I often get lost in my thoughts, but Kai brings me back to the present. We’re at a colorful booth with carnival music blaring nearby.

The ducks move quickly, making it challenging, but he makes it look easy. He handles the air gun and hits his target with ease, leaving me in awe yet not surprised by his skills. The yellow metal ducks make a loud clatter as they fall.

“You’re talented,” I say.

“I’ve had lots of practice.”

“You’ve often murdered metal ducks?”

His face twists and his eyelids flutter. I think he’s trying not to laugh. “No.”

“So, your practice is only subjective,” I say with a finger raised.

His eyebrow arches and I embrace the moment. At the fair with a criminal who appears happy to hand me a fluffy blue bear. He has a glow of sweetness in his eyes. I gasp as my heart sits in my throat and my legs weaken.

I’d give the moon in guarantee to know what he’s thinking right now.

“Do you want to try?” he asks, holding out the gleaming silver gun—the short sleeve of his black shirt wrinkles with the movement.

My heart beats faster as I gaze at the sleek metal weapon in his hand. “You’ll show me how to handle a gun?”

“Why not? I bet you’re good.” Kai flashes a confident smile at me and tosses money at the gentleman behind the counter. With skilled hands, he loads the gun with ammunition, the sharp clicks echoing through the air.

“Good?” I repeat, my chest swelling with a small spark of pride at his words.

He puts the gun in my hands and stands behind me, his frame caging me yet not touching me. His warm hands gently guide mine into position on the grip, his unshaven cheek brushing mine. My heart races at the coarse feel on my skin.

His intense gaze fixes on the targets ahead, deadly serious. I steal a few seconds to admire him before he lowers my hands. “Take a deep breath, and when you reach the end of the exhale, squeeze the trigger.” The faintest hint of a smirk plays on his lips as he looks back at me. And time stops.

We lock gazes until the gentleman’s throat clearing interrupts us. “Are you ready to shoot, honey?”

Kai’s gaze shifts to the man, shooting him a fierce glare. “Who do you think you’re calling ‘honey,’ huh?”

The man steps back, his hands raised in front of him. “Just a saying, man. Sorry.”

I narrow my eyes at Kai. “You scared him.”

He sneers in response before whispering, “Come on. Play along, or I might have to shoot him for real.”

I shake my head and play, trying to push down the warm appreciation growing in my stomach at Kai’s protective behavior.

At each target down, I jump with disproportionate joy. Bang! I look like a big fool.

“Go on.”

“Yes, Commander Kiken.” I do so in a serious tone.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He holds back from laughing, and his cheek muscles twitch. “See?” Kai says with pride. “You’re good.”

I laugh like a degenerate, my head thrown back. Loud. Terrible. I put my gun back on the counter, thanking her for her loyal service, and the nice man, troubled by my performance, hands me a pink bear cub.

Kai’s voice breaks through the sounds of shattering glass. “Are you having fun?”

I swirl around in happiness, my dress floating in haze around me. “Crazy fun. I haven’t felt this good in years.”

Kai’s eyes light up at my response. “Me too,” he says, grabbing my hand, causing a heat wave in my stomach. “What do you want to do next?”

Kiss you , I think before answering out loud, “The mirror mansion.”

“Okay.”

“Should we carry the stuffed toys to the car?”

He nods, and we head to the car. My nerves intensify as I see a group of rowdy teenagers causing a commotion in the parking lot. Kai seems oblivious to them. Or perhaps he’s aware but chooses not to acknowledge their presence. The group starts to converge toward us. My heart races and my fingers tingle.

Shit.

I was having such a beautiful evening. We were connecting. But I have no control right now. Quickly, the troop turns into a crowd that wants to pass by us to get to the Ferris wheel.

Parking next to the pathway was a mistake.

The crowd rushes between my car and a smelly old Chevrolet pickup like it’s the only option. Too many people, too close. My breath runs out; my vision blurs.

People dart by us until Kai shoves a guy so hard he stumbles and falls. Then he grabs my arm, pulling me to the passenger side before pressing me against the car, allowing the rest of the group to pass. I put my hands on his chest so I don’t get crushed.

“It’s okay, Marianne; it’s okay,” he reassures me in a husky voice.

I simply exist in this moment with him—his arms around me, sheltering me from a turbulent world. I breathe in his fresh citrus and cedar scent and let myself get lost in it. The chaos and noise of the group fade away, and I’m at peace. I allow my forehead to rest between his collarbones, and my heart returns to a normal rhythm.

At this moment, with Kai, I feel protected.

Safe.

I want to stay like this forever.

If I raise my head, will he kiss me?

He sighs and backs off. I’m disappointed, even more so than I thought I would be. But intense relief spreads through my heart when he intertwines his fingers with mine.

We return to the fair after putting the stuffed toys in the car. The fun returns in a flash.

Running around with the enthusiasm of children, we explore the many attractions. The spooky manor, the cotton candy stall—all a riot of fun. Everywhere we go, Kai has a slight glow of positivity, and his eyes are alive. It’s a lovely sight to behold.

“Ferris wheel?” he asks.

We wait in line, light as feathers. I let go of his hand as we sat in a gondola.

“Tell me something funny about your childhood,” Kai asks.

My childhood was filled with disappointment and loneliness until my father dropped me off at Corey’s. By then, I was a teenager.

But the man in front of me seems to read me better than anyone I know because he adds, “My childhood wasn’t fun, either.”

The Ferris wheel starts its round, and my fingers grip the handlebars automatically.

We have no reason to lie to each other. “When I was ten years old, Richard missed my birthday for a golf tournament.”

“Who’s Richard?”

“My father. In revenge, I put dye in his shampoo. The next day, he had a neon-green head and beard. It was hilarious. He was so angry.”

We hit the highest point, and my gaze catches on the shimmering waters beneath.

“Did he hit you for that?” Kai’s fingers flex.

“No. Richard wasn’t violent.”

Kai looks like he swallowed a cactus. Questions unravel in his head, trying to assemble my life’s pieces. “Why do you call him Richard?”

“Because his name is Richard,” I say as if Kai could understand the pain my father’s name means.

Another person who abandoned me.

As I force my attention away from my inner turmoil, I gaze toward the bustling fair by the lake. Seagulls call out, and the smell of water permeates the air, creating a calming and refreshing ambiance.

The marina is alive with activity, with boats of all sizes parked on the dock. The colorful sails of sailboats and the gleaming metal of fishing yachts catch my eye, adding luxury and adventure to the scene.

The dock is crowded with tourists. Some are strolling, taking in the sights and sounds of the place while others are taking pictures and eating hot pretzels. The wheel moves slowly, allowing me to look around and appreciate the moment.

I get lost in the marina’s energy. It always has a way of doing that, of making me forget my worries and get in touch with the present.

I wish I had a boat.

“I wish I knew how to sail.” Kai’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

The view of the boats parked in a row at the marina of St-Gabriel is one that I’ve missed. From atop the wheel, the sky is breathtaking, with pink and orange highlights that look like a brushstroke from a painting. I’ve always dreamed of sailing, spending my days sun tanning, writing my novels and drinking margaritas at night. But Eric and I both worked too much to make that dream a reality.

Kai’s voice swirls around me.

Evening shifts aren’t the most convenient, but better than night shifts. Especially in the emergency room.

The day shift, I can dream. The nurses who get that assignment are all way older than me. Things might be brighter for me in Nay. At the small clinic downtown...

My ex liked that I worked evenings from four to midnight. He had all his time to party with his buddies and play video games. I wonder if Kai is a gamer too. With his busy schedule, I imagine he doesn’t have much spare time for leisure activities.

“Come back to me.” Kai scoots over, and his warmth envelops my body. One arm is on the backrest, and another is on the bar. I’m surrounded. The situation should make me lose it, but nothing’s coming. I’m fine until he slides farther ahead.

I take a nervous peek at Kai. He isn’t gazing dreamily at the boats. He’s staring at me. His gaze shifted from my breasts to my mouth to my eyes.

Should I turn my head?

I breathe a little faster, and heat invades my face.

Does he want to kiss me?

I must be scarlet by the thought that Kai wants to kiss me.

Turn your head.

If I turn my head and he backs away, my pride won’t be hurt. If he kisses me, I’ll have the most romantic moment of my life. Better act before the wheel comes back down.

Shit, I’m embarrassed.

I turn my head.

“Ah!” I scream when the Ferris wheel comes to a sudden stop.

My forehead collides with Kai’s head, who is thrown across the sweeping bench. Wonderful. I’m holding my forehead, dazed. Kai looks ready to kill someone. I’m going to have a bruise on my forehead.

By the time we regain our senses, the tour is done.

We step out in front of the teenager at the control board.

Kai’s jaw tightens and releases in rapid succession, his eyes narrowing into deadly slits. “Did you do that on purpose, fucktard, huh?” He paces with controlled fury, his fingers spasming at his sides like electric shocks. “You like fucking people’s dates ’cause you can’t get one?” Each step he takes brings him closer to unleashing a violent outburst.

When Kai stops in front of the horrified teenagers, the veil of calmness lifts like the curtain call to a gore action show. But he flicks him on the nose, saying, “Fuck you.”

And, of course, I burst out laughing.

I imagine him taking the dude by the shoulders and smacking his head on the control board. He pulls out his gun and bang, a smoking hole in the head.

I laugh at every word. “You have murderous eyes.” I laugh louder as I imagine him shirtless, shooting everywhere, wearing a tie as a hair-lift. I’m on a date with a madman. My hands take place on my thighs to control my laughter.

There’s nothing to do.

Amusement has taken over my being, and I laugh crazily while Kai stares at me with soft eyes.

“Okay.” I snicker. “Okay. I’m back.” This date will remain etched in my memory for centuries and centuries. I take his hand, hoping to hold on to this perfect moment forever. “Kai, do you—”

Before I finish my thought, a swarm of young women engulfs us. Forty of them zip past in colorful bikini tops and trendy micro shorts. Their loud laughter and chatter deafen me as they race past, leaving trails of floral perfume and glitter in their wake.

We step aside, seeking refuge by a thick hedge of cedar trees, but there are too many of these zooming hotties. My hand slips from Kai’s desperate grasp in the chaos as people get out of the skaters’ way and bump into us.

With a loud grunt, a girl collides with the man in front of me with such force that he’s sent flying back into me. A whiff of rosemary makes me think of Eric, and I stumble backward, struggling to keep my balance before falling onto my ass with a resounding thud.

“Watch it!” I mutter, but my words are lost in the commotion.

The crowd that made place for the girls now regroups between Kai and me, making it difficult for us to find each other again.

Shit.

I’m on my butt on the ground, and I feel like shit.

“Marianne?” Kai’s concerned voice cuts through the chaos from a few feet away, making my head snap in his direction.

But I don’t see him.

Another wave of carefree skaters whizz past, and I struggle to scramble out of their path. My feet slip, and I tumble into the unforgiving thicket of bushes lining the side of the path. The sharp branches scrape at my skin, leaving angry red marks in their wake.

I reach out for something, anything, to stop my fall.

There’s nothing there to hold on to.

My body rolls under the row of towering cedar trees, only to realize the hedgerow stands there as a safety rail too late. Behind it is an abrupt drop about my height, descending into a swamp leading to the lake.

In a split second, I find myself sliding over the craggy rocks, my legs dangling precariously over the drop below. A panicked yelp escapes my lips. I grasp at a nearby branch, hoping it will hold my weight. But with an ominous crack, the branch gives way.

And down I go.

The ground gives way beneath me, and I plummet into the unknown below.