Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

33. Express To Hurt-town

Chapter 33

Express To Hurt-town

W e arrive in Burlington in the late afternoon. We park the car in a quiet residential street. Direction: downtown. For coffee and another means of transportation. The sun beats down on us as we walk, but nothing compares to the heat radiating off Kai’s hand clasped in mine.

“Could we take the rest of the day off?” I ask. My clothes stick to my skin, and I need a damn coffee. “Take a room and just... breathe.”

“Off?” he repeats, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, we need to get clothes, fix our emergency kit, sleep, eat, refill our bags… And honestly, I need a break. I’m burned out,” I explain, my words tumbling out in a rush.

The last word hits him like a punch in the gut, but he takes my hand and pulls me close, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple.

“We’ll do more tomorrow,” he says.

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

And my heart cracks to let out an ooey-gooey warmth that fills me. “Kai…” I sigh with affection.

“So, here’s the plan,” he says with determination. “Coffee, food, shopping.” We share a brief smile, knowing that we have our priorities straight. “And a place to lay low.”

“We also need to find a ride and come up with temporary names,” I add pragmatically.

It’s crucial to stay under the radar since people are actively searching for us and we’re close to the border. We can’t afford to make mistakes and linger in one place for too long.

Or we’ll die.

Kai massages his neck with both hands. “Let’s discuss it over lunch.”

“Great idea,” I say, relieved. “What do you want to be called?”

“I don’t know,” he admits with a shrug.

“What about I call you ‘baby’?” I offer with a mischievous sparkle in my eye.

He clears his throat and nods. “Yes, please.” But his voice is hoarse.

I shake his hand. “Hi, baby. I’m taking you out because you’re hot as an inferno.”

Kai’s smile falters for a moment before his intense gaze burns into me. I glance at my feet, surprised by my own boldness because even though we slept together, I never openly confessed how much I found him drop-dead gorgeous.

Ultrasexygerous.

I could lick his skin raw while he sleeps.

I’m so hungry.

He mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite make out and turns away, clicking his tongue.

Despite his outward annoyance, a glance over his shoulder reveals the trace of a smile playing at the corner of his lips. I stifle a giggle.

Kai, the hardened criminal who subsisted on gritty negotiations and ruthless fights, is now blushing because I called him “hot.”

It’s a sight to behold.

“Come on, hot stuff,” I tease, threading my arm through his as we stroll toward the nearest café suggested by our fellow travelers. There’s a new atmosphere around us, something light and fun that neither of us is used to.

It feels… normal like we could be any other couple in love, oblivious to crime reports and arrest warrants. It’s nice.

We walk into the café to the smell of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the buttery aroma of pastries. And I let out a moan, my head falling back. No, not a moan. The moan. The one that comes from my chest and sends a tremor into Kai’s muscles.

He blinks and turns to the barista in haste. “South American medium roast espresso, whatever best you have, with extra whipped cream and white chocolate shavings for my girlfriend.”

My girlfriend? My eyebrows shoot straight into my hairline. No commitment issues here.

“And for you?” the teenage barista asks, his gaze dropping to my breasts.

Fool.

“A black coffee,” Kai answers. “And you’ll get a black eye if you keep staring,” he adds with a grunt.

I’m Kai’s girlfriend. I fight to keep from squealing in delight.

We indulge in small talk over lunch before heading out shopping.

Kai picks out a simple dark blue shirt and black shorts while I go with a sundress and a pair of biker shorts underneath. I also buy fake glasses to frame his gorgeous gaze. We pay in cash before heading back onto the streets.

We can’t walk to Eugene because it’s a seven-hour drive.

No hitchhiking…

“We need to blend in, not stand out. A stolen vehicle will raise flags, and using our real names for a loan is suicide. We must take the bus.”

Kai makes a sound between a growl and a sigh. “If you think it’s a good idea.”

“Do you have a better solution?” I ask in a tone of defiance, fists on my hips. A playful giggle threatens to escape my lips. Shut it . I’m simply incapable of being arrogant, no matter how hard I try.

“You’re so fucking adorable,” Kai grumbles, clearly unhappy with the idea of taking the bus. But he doesn’t argue further. “Taking the train might be better,” he concedes.

I flash him a satisfied grin. “Train it is.”

The hum of the train station surrounds us as we make our way inside— voices chatter, announcements blare, and footsteps echo. We maneuver through the chaos, neon signs glaring and worn travelers scurrying about, all while a sense of calculated anticipation lingers.

Quick.

We purchase tickets. But behind our fa?ade lies a dangerous game of hide and seek, each of us playing a part in this deadly charade.

“Cutie, just in case something bad happens…” Kai’s gaze softens for a moment before it hardens again. “If it turns into a bloodbath, I won’t let them get to you. And I need you to run. Don’t look back. Run. The boat is in Eureka, California. It’s registered under the name M. Phoenix. That’s our next step.”

“Nothing bad will happen,” I assure him with a confidence I don’t entirely feel.

“Say it,” he says, glaring into my soul.

The last time we had a similar discussion, he disappeared from me for days. “I will run and get to the next step.”

My fingers tighten around his as we make our way to platform nine.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

The crowd thickens, everyone pushing forward with luggage and personal items.

I hate it.

We squeeze through the masses into a waiting room.

Waiting. What a stupid concept when you’re hunted.

An hour passes and another. Finally, the speaker shouts for our train.

Platform nine, here we come.

But as we step onto the platform, the air tightens, electric with danger. Kai’s hand clamps over mine, his grip iron-hard. I follow his gaze to a tall, dark-haired figure cutting through the crowd—eyes locked on us like a predator stalking prey.

My skin frosts.

“Kenji,” Kai mutters, his voice edged with venom.

Kenji isn’t alone.

Tazo emerges from the crowd behind his brother, just as dangerous, just as cold. The twins—mercenaries through and through—found us.

Shit.

Their synchronized steps and the deadly precision in their movements send chills slithering down my spine. Liquid danger and icy hazard.

“We have to escape,” I whisper, trying to pull Kai forward.

But he plants his feet, standing firm.

“I need to do something. Now,” Kai says, his voice determined.

Before I can argue, Tazo charges, his fist swinging toward Kai’s face. The force behind the punch snaps Kai’s head to the side, blood spraying from his nose. But Kai barely flinches, catching himself before Tazo can follow up.

People gasp and shout.

They clash violently, fists flying with brutal precision. Each hit lands like thunder, echoing across the platform. I back away, my eyes darting to Kenji, who hasn’t moved, watching with unsettling calm.

Oh, god… Is this going to be like the movies when everyone attacks the hero one by one? That doesn’t make sense.

Kai lands a solid punch to Tazo’s ribs, but the twin retaliates, driving his knee into Kai’s gut. Kai stumbles, clutching his side, but his eyes never leave Tazo’s, burning with fury.

Suddenly, Kenji moves—fast, way too fast. He closes in on Kai’s blind spot, ready to strike. Without thinking, I grab a hardcase umbrella from a stand, my heart ripping my chest apart.

“Marianne!” Kai shouts, but it’s too late—Kenji is almost on him. The false skin-like sleeves rip off.

I lift the umbrella. Come on, girl. Hit it.

More screams from the onlookers.

I swing the umbrella with everything I have, and it connects with a sickening crack against the side of Kenji’s shoulder. He drops like a stone, collapsing onto the concrete with a grunt, barely conscious. But he doesn’t grunt… or groan.

Bet you didn’t see that one coming, weirdo.

Tazo glances over at his brother, blood running from his split lip. His fury shifts toward me, but Kai tackles him, slamming him into the ground before he can react. Both pant, bloodied and bruised as the fight rages on.

The clicks of heavy keysets jingling in the distance alert that the authorities will be here any second.

“Baby, let’s move!” I yell.

Kai grips Tazo’s arm and twists, hard. A sickening snap fills the air as Tazo cries out, his elbow dislocating.

Kai spits blood, pulling himself up, but he’s limping, clutching his side—a fresh injury. A broken rib?

His eyes meet mine, wild with adrenaline. “Let’s go. Now.”

I nod, heart hammering in my chest. My hands shake as I drop the bat, stepping over Kenji’s crumpled form. Shit, my prints. I grab the umbrella back. Tazo groans in agony, his elbow bent the wrong way, but his eyes still burn with hatred as he watches us make a break for the train.

“Ooh, cutee pie… I bet you bleed so prettee,” he singsongs.

I swallow and giggle. “Yeah, like every month, fucker,” I hear myself reply.

Who am I?

There’s no time to analyze my psychotic side.

We sprint, Kai’s arm slung over my shoulders for support. Every step feels like stepping in a bear trap, but the crowd parts around us like water.

“Platform nine,” I mutter, scanning the signs, my legs burning with every stride.

“There.” Kai gasps, his voice strained with pain.

Ahead, the train stands ready, doors still open, and passengers are boarding. We push through the crowd, bodies jostling us, slowing our escape.

The train horn blares, and the doors begin to close. Panic surges through me as we reach the platform. With a final burst of strength, I drag Kai forward, practically throwing him through the open door before it seals behind us. That was a close call.

Phew… Nobody on that train saw us beating the twins.

We collapse into a seat just as the train pulls away, leaving the platform—and Tazo’s and Kenji’s broken forms—far behind.

But it’s not over. They’re just pissed now.

Kai leans back, his chest heaving, blood smeared across his face. “You didn’t have to hit him that hard.”

I laugh, breathless, adrenaline still coursing through me. “You’re welcome.”

He chuckles softly, wincing at the pain. “You saved my ass.”

Again.

I lean my head on his shoulder, feeling the tension melt away as the train glides out of the station. “That’s what I do.”

Jeez, my psychotic side is sassy.

Kai turns to me, his eyes softening despite the bruises swelling on his face. “Yes, it is.”

As the world outside blurs past, the sun sinking on the horizon, I take his hand, squeezing it tight. We may be bloodied and bruised, but we’re still here, together. And for now, that’s all that matters.