Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

34. Arriving

Chapter 34

Arriving

K ai’s voice stirs me from sleep, pulling me back to the real world where the tension of our escape is ever-present. His arms are wrapped around me, his warmth holding me close, and I feel safe for a moment. His ocean-colored eyes are heavy with unspoken emotions, flickering as they meet mine. With a gentle hand, he helps me sit up, then reaches for our backpacks, their weight almost tangible.

We slip out of the janitor’s closet at Eugene train station, our fingers locking together in silent agreement. The night had been long and uncomfortable, especially in such a tight space, but we made do. My back aches from the makeshift bed and the towels that barely cushion the hard floor.

The hours had passed in a blur—first, the train ride, then the cramped, airless closet Kai paid to use. There, we found a brief escape from prying eyes. We huddled together, exhaustion taking over. I stirred around noon, rechecking Kai’s injuries. His broken rib confirmed my worst fear. Carefully, I wrapped his chest in a washcloth and box tape—the best I could manage with what we had. Then we drifted back to sleep, like fugitives dreaming of simpler times.

But unlike seasoned criminals, we overslept. And now, as we step into the station’s main hall, the world is alive again.

Rush hour has turned Eugene train station into a cacophony of noise and movement—commuters hurrying to their destinations, vendors calling out their goods. The buzz of the crowd makes me dizzy, but there’s something freeing about it. The anonymity of being part of the hustle, just another face in the sea of people.

My heart swells, a little hope pushing its way through the fatigue. We’ve made it this far. We’ll make it.

Kai grips my hand a little tighter, his movements purposeful as he pulls me through the throng. He keeps his head down, but his eyes flick back and forth, scanning for any sign that we’ve been spotted. My pulse quickens as I match his pace. It’s a delicate balance—blending in without being too invisible.

At the exit, the fresh air greets us like a slap, the contrast between the musty train station and the crisp evening air startling. Kai slows, his grip loosening as we step onto the pavement. He flashes me a crooked smile that tugs at something deep inside me. The city sprawls before us, loud, chaotic, indifferent.

“We need to find the impound lot,” he says, his voice low but steady. His fingers lace with mine as though seeking comfort, grounding us.

“No, we need to hide your tattoos first,” I say, glancing at his inked arms. “We can’t walk around Eugene looking like this.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” He runs a hand through his hair, eyes scanning the street as if expecting trouble at any moment. His eyes land on his arms, a brief flicker of realization crossing his face.

We duck into a small clothing shop tucked away in an alley, the place you’d only find if you knew where to look. The bell above the door chimes softly as we enter, and the air inside is thick with lavender and the smell of old paperbacks. It’s cozy, a world away from the frantic energy outside.

I browse the racks, searching for clothes to help us disappear into the crowd. Oversized sweaters, distressed jeans, scarves—anything to hide who we are. I hold up a pair of cargo pants for Kai, and he watches me with a glint of amusement. It’s a moment of levity, a tiny break in the tension.

“What?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as I sift through another pile of clothes.

“Nothing.” He chuckles, fingers brushing over a faded pink romper with butterflies. “You’d look cute in this.”

I toss the cargo shorts and a Rubik’s cube T-shirt at him. “Try these on.”

He catches them, laughing softly as he heads to the makeshift dressing room. But he doesn’t close the curtain, leaving enough space for me to catch him undressing. My gaze lingers on the bruises that cover his skin.

Broken rib, busted eyebrow, the stitches I made… a reminder of the violence following us.

But he grins, catching my eye in the reflection as if he’s still trying to make light of it all. “See something you like?”

I love every inch of you. “I don’t fancy the recent bruises.”

“But you did such a brilliant work.” He runs his fingers over the pale pink line I pieced together last week with a grin.

That grin says more than words ever could—he’s still fighting. Still standing.

I lean against a rack of clothes, lost in the swirl of memories. Last week feels like a lifetime ago. Back when he used the wild lines of his body to seduce me, to show me there was more to him than just danger.

Now, I see everything—the pain, the resilience, the strength. His tattoos tell a story, a history I’ve barely scratched the surface of. The bruises are just the latest chapter. But the colors and the ink’s boldness speak of a hunger for something more.

He wants freedom. I want it, too.

Before I can stop myself, I slip into the dressing room. The space is tight, but it doesn’t matter. I cradle his face, my thumb brushing the line of his jaw. It prickles my palm. I wish to tell him how I feel, but the words stick in my throat.

Instead, I kiss him. Slow, soft. A kiss meant to say all the things I can’t. He kisses me back, his lips warm, his breath shaky. His eyelids flutter closed as if he’s letting go of everything else, just for this moment.

Kai’s reaction to me is a compliment.

I pull away, and his eyes open, locking with mine. There’s a tenderness there, something raw and real, that makes my heart twist. “Kai…”

My voice is muffled, but he hears it. He always does. And that’s exactly what I want. What I need.

Love.

I was seduced by danger, but I fell deeper for the man.

I wrap my arms around him, holding on as if letting go would mean losing everything.

I’m never letting that man go.

We kiss again, slower this time, savoring every second. When we break apart, his breath is ragged, his forehead resting against mine. “I’ve never been kissed like that,” he murmurs, his voice rough. “Again.”

We stay like that for a moment longer, wrapped in each other.

But reality pulls us back. I exit the small space.

Kai leaves the dressing room a few minutes later, looking ridiculous in the Rubik’s cube T-shirt and cargo shorts. I laugh, the sound filling the tiny shop.

“What’s so funny?” he asks, frowning at his reflection in the mirror.

“You are,” I say, still giggling. “In those things.”

“They’re functional,” he argues, a grin tugging at his lips. “And comfortable.” A mock frown transformed into a wolfish grin. “You, on the other hand, look fucking edible in that romper.”

His grin tightens my chest, and a small squeal escapes me. The romper stops mid-thigh, hiding the burn on my inner thigh but revealing more than I’m used to.

Kai’s wolfish grin says yes.

God, I wonder how he’ll react to the black bikini.

After paying the shopkeeper with our dwindling cash, we step into the hot street, the humidity making our clothes cling.

“We should hit a convenience store first,” I say. “I need water, and we can ask where the municipal courtyard is.”

Kai buys me a bottle of water while I chat with the clerk. The guy eyes Kai warily, but he relaxes when Kai’s hand settles on my hip. He must wonder how that man charmed me.

He made me see the best in myself.

I thank the clerk with a fake smile, my supply of them running low.

Back outside, I drink greedily. “Want some?”

“No, thanks.”

I finish the bottle and toss it away. “Okay, time to find the pound. It’s open until nine p.m. Are you ready? You didn’t sleep much on the train.”

“Nightmares,” he mutters.

My shoulders slump.

“Everything’s fine, cutie,” he assures me. “If I sleep glued to you in a decent bed, I’ll be in great shape tomorrow.”

“Let’s go,” I say, grabbing his hand, our fingers intertwining as if by instinct.

But as we near the impound lot, Kai halts, his body rigid. His eyes fix on a dark SUV parked a block from the entrance—the same model as the one I blew up.

“Shit,” Kai whispers, his hand squeezing mine. His eyes are sharp, scanning the street. “Stay behind me,” he murmurs, positioning himself between me and the threat.

“I’ve got your back,” I say, matching his gaze. A strange rush fills me—the thrill of protecting him, standing by his side. A far cry from the life I knew before.

We cautiously advance toward the SUV, carefully avoiding any noise. The evening is quiet. Kai’s body remains tense and poised for action, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

The hum of traffic is a distant whisper.

My grip on Kai’s hand tightens as we approach the SUV. But it’s empty.

“No sign of anyone,” he mutters after a moment of relief.

He motions for silence, nodding toward the impound lot. We inch forward, blending with the shadows of the streetlights.

Suddenly, Kai stops, pulling me flush against him, his heartbeat hammering against my chest. His eyes lock on the entrance—four armed men.

“Damn,” he curses under his breath.

“We can’t take the risk,” I whisper. “Let’s wait for later tonight.”

Kai hesitates, his eyes glued to the men. “No. We need to do this now. It’s a mess.”

“I like this mess,” I say, meeting his gaze.

The air between us crackles. His lips twitch into a smile. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, fingers lingering on my neck. My breath catches at the warmth of his touch.

“I can’t wait for this to be over,” he rasps, rough but gentle. “I just want to take you to bed and never let go.”

His words make my heart stutter.

I close my eyes, my insides like melted butter.

Love has a way of making even the most impossible situations feel real. It defies all logic.

Kai’s love is like wildfire—powerful and uncontrollable. It may burn everything in its path, but it’s also the reason I keep fighting.

That fire fuels me.

“We’ll get through this,” he promises, his voice full of conviction. “But we need a plan…”

A mischievous smile breaks across my face. “Ooh, I have one.”