Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

35. Busting Fantasies

Chapter 35

Busting Fantasies

T he fenced entrance of the impound lot looms in front of us as we walk up at 8:03 p.m. The air is thick with the smell of gasoline, but I’m a pot of boiling water, hissing with excitement, ready to overflow at any moment. We’re on the cusp of receiving our new IDs; I can almost picture them in my hands.

We enter the grimly lit office, and I lean against the counter as planned. “Good evening, I’m here to get my car,” I say to the large bald man behind the counter.

“Plate number?” he grumbles.

Huh. No. It’s written on the cell phone in the burned car at the border.

“I don’t remember.”

Kai walks up to the camera globe in the corner and unplugs it. Nobody can identify us in those disguises, anyway. I’m dressed like a schoolgirl from a porn shoot, and Kai looks like a total nerd with his Rubik’s cube T-shirt, fake glasses, and no tattoos.

The clerk raises an eyebrow and stares at me.

“Listen, sir,” I continue, trying to sound convincing. “This car was dropped off for me here, and I—”

“What’s your name?” he interrupts, his eyes darting between Kai and me.

It’s shady.

Plastering a charming smile on my face, I answer. “Anna Salvador.”

The clerk’s eyes widen in shock, and fear flashes across his features. He swallows hard before speaking again. “Miss... I don’t want any trouble,” he stammers, his gaze locked on Kai’s gun. “A group of guys came by earlier and... I didn’t let them... but...”

“But what?” I urge him on, feigning concern.

My mind screams at me to knock his head against the counter and use the computer to access our information, but I resist. Kai’s gun is equipped with a silencer; it would be quick and efficient but not worth the risk of getting caught.

But . I. Breathe. Dark thoughts don’t have to lead to dark acts.

Instead, I put on my best smile and lean closer to him, my eyes softening. Everything about me exudes goodness and innocence. “I understand.” I take his hand and pat it with my thumb. “We don’t like this situation, either. But sometimes,” I say and pull back from the counter, “desperate times call for desperate measures.”

The clerk’s eyes widen even further at my smooth words.

I tilt my head to the side and flash him a one-sided smirk. “Now, do we need desperate measures?”

The man’s breathing becomes labored, his words coming out in rapid gasps. “They’re four. Asian twins and two other dudes. That’s all I know.”

Kai closes his eyes and leans on the side wall. Asian twins mean that Kenji and Tazo are here.

Who are the other men?

I suck my teeth and sigh. “We both know there’s more. Spit it out.”

The clerk’s eyes widened, and he darted around the room as sweat beads were on his forehead, making his pale skin glisten under the harsh fluorescent lights. “I don’t understand,” he stammers.

“Who are the other men?” Kai asks, his tone colder than an iceberg.

Every muscle in the clerk’s body seems tense. His fingers dig into the counter, leaving imprints on the cheap surface. “Hired muscles.”

“Hired by who?” I ask, and my skin prickles with goosebumps as the atmosphere freezes. And I giggle. “Oh, you’ve been a bad boy.” But I don’t give him the time to register my phrase. “You saw someone put something in my car. And you demanded protection in case it blew up in your face, didn’t you?” I shake my head. “Who protects you? Huh? Not law enforcement. That’s for sure.” Tension hangs like icicles, their sharp points piercing the atmosphere.

I cast a glance at Kai, whose eyes have taken on sinister darkness like storm clouds rolling in over an innocent beach. “If he talked, it could be anyone from local gangs and mobsters.”

Right. Everywhere we go, we’ll be on someone else’s turf. Does that mean we have to let them live? I frown, my mind trying to come up with a scenario that’ll leave us intact and free. “Close every camera in the courtyard,” I instruct him.

His fingers click on the keyboard, and he turns the screen so Kai can see all the terminals have been shut down.

“Now,” I say, my hand extended in front of his nose. “Give me my car.”

After half a second, the guy scribbles on a piece of paper and walks out, saying it’s his mealtime. “LHG 4T29. ” Finding a license plate won’t be easy.

I don’t trust you, Mister Baldie.

Without warning, Kai raises his gun and fires a single shot into the back of the clerk’s head. The man crumples to the ground. “It was too risky, cutie. I’m sorry,” Kai murmurs, replacing his gun in its holster.

“I just hope he gave us the right info,” I speak my thoughts aloud.

We exit the building and make our way to the yard. We stroll in silence, examining everything. I’m poised. This isn’t normal. Something’s going to happen. Soon. Kai’s smile says a lot about the anticipation in his mind.

Then, a clink resonates, and Kai bulldozes us to the ground.

Four men appear on patrol, their weapons at the ready. A fight is inevitable. I glance at Kai and see his usually relaxed features are now serious and focused. He communicates silently with hand signals, indicating that he’ll cover me while I search for our getaway car.

Accepted scenario.

Integrated.

Go.

But I stare at him and run my hand over his left eyebrow. The one that burst in our run to freedom. Given the thickness of his eyebrows, the scar will be hidden. My thumb traces the eyebrow and goes down his cheek; his jaw and eyes narrow, getting wet. I’m asking him to be careful for me. I can’t survive this alone. He helps me learn how to get angry and pissed. How to stand my ground when someone hurts me. How to accept myself as I am.

My heart is a trapped bird thrashing against my ribcage as he kisses my palm. His lips are warm and gentle. A warning passes through his lips, a plea for caution.

Be careful, baby.

Then I crawl away to another row of cars, my pulse thrumming in my ears. My movements are clumsy and uncoordinated as I stumble over an exhaust stack, the loud clanging noises echoing through the empty parking lot.

I suck at this, damn it.

Approaching footsteps sends a surge of adrenaline through me. My eyes scan the surroundings for any sign of safety. That’s when I spotted it—a minivan with a smashed back window. Without hesitation, I scramble into the vehicle, trying my best to remain silent.

Kai’s father will stop at nothing to eliminate us, it seems.

I wonder how many of his dangerous associates he has sent after us, their malevolent intentions hot on our trail. A smirk stretches my mouth as I contemplate the sinister game we’re caught up in.

But despite the danger closing in on us, I find the situation oddly thrilling.

The footsteps draw nearer, and I curl into a tight ball in the back of the van, hidden from view but acutely aware of their presence. I strain to listen as they discuss their plans.

My heart beats too fast, and I try to breathe. They’re close. I should learn Japanese. Do they know I’m here, mere feet away from them? My fingers tingle with fear and desperation, wishing I had asked Kai for a gun. Any weapon would make me feel less helpless in this life-or-death situation.

A distant noise pierces through the evening, silencing their conversation. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end as the unmistakable sound of guns being cocked fills my ears.

The pursuers are dangerously close, causing me to hold my breath and tense my muscles. Kai’s distraction lures them away.

Today’s heat was oppressive, an invisible weight that clung to my clothes and stifled my movements. Despite the discomfort, I force myself to move silently as I try to get a glimpse of our surroundings.

My heart hammers. No one.

My eyes scan the area, searching for any sign of danger.

There’s no one here, but a sense of impending threat hangs thick in the air. I must hurry.

My hands shake as I unfold a scrap of paper with a license plate number scrawled on it. It’s our only lead, our last chance to escape and start a new life. But doubt creeps into my mind as I look at the plates on the surrounding cars. Did the clerk tip off our pursuers? Is this all just a trap?

My blood is roiling at full speed.

Crouching low, I examine each license plate carefully, hoping one will match the number on the paper. As I work through each car, determination burns in my chest. I’m not about to give up. Not now, so close to freedom.

Vic, you should have given me more information. My thoughts are bitter, but there’s no time to dwell on them now.

The sun sets, casting a golden glow over everything around me.

“Goodnight, you bastard,” I mutter, adrenaline rushing through my body. Exhaustion threatens to overtake me, but I shake it off. There’s no time for sleep yet. I close my eyelids for a few seconds, trying to regain composure. A new life awaits us. A fresh start, far from this chaos and danger.

I take a deep breath and force myself to focus on the end goal—a hotel room and a new identity.

A new life.

I cling to it in a mental litany, studying the surrounding vehicles. I’m not in my element. In movies, it’s fun. In real life, it’s nerve-wracking. My newfound determination to live burns fiercely within me, propelling me forward with an unshakeable drive. I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Minutes tick by, but finally, I spot our target. My entire body buzzes with excitement, and I must physically restrain myself from jumping with joy at my discovery. A light gray American sedan with the correct plate number—just as the clerk had told me. Yet a sinister doubt lingers in the back of my mind. Would Vic really choose an American car? He despises them.

Perhaps the clerk had given me the wrong information?

A sudden noise behind me startles me into action, causing me to drop to the ground and hide among a pile of tires. I’m playing a game of whack-a-mole. I watch intently from my hidden vantage point as a man approaches and inspects my car. With bated breath, I listen as he speaks into his wrist, just like a secret agent would. The soundtrack of Mission: Impossible blares in my ears, adding to the moment’s thrill.

You can’t see me!

But how can I locate the car without drawing attention?

A hunch leads me back to the gray sedan, and I maneuver underneath it with difficulty due to my curves. As I inspect the car’s underside, I let out a small sigh of triumph; there’s a keychain attached with adhesive tape bearing the phrase “Good job.” A wide grin spreads across my face as I see multiple keys dangling from it, but only one with standard unlock buttons, the key to Vic’s car.

Super-agent Victor Salem. I squeeze the tequila-bottle-shaped keychain, stuff it into my cleavage, and crawl out from under the car.

In the distance, a commotion catches my attention. It sounds like a fight.

Kai may be armed, but so are they. Without thinking, I press the door lock button on the car remote.

Beep, beep.

The sound comes from a car a little farther away. I stand on my tiptoe to spot it and stumble upon a figure a few rows over, their gaze meeting mine with an intense stare. Our eyes lock in a silent standoff.

Then, I sprint in the car’s direction. I must get there before he does. The guy jumps around like a ninja.

My feet pound against the pavement as I sprint with all my might, with the thumping beat of “Turn Down for What?” playing on repeat in my head at a mind-numbing volume. But the notes invigorate me, and I now run like a triathlon athlete. Right now, adrenaline is my best friend. Sorry, Arietta.

As we reach the car simultaneously, a cloud of dust surrounds us. We size each other up, our minds racing with calculations and strategies.

Is he armed?

My analysis takes only seconds before I make a quick decision. With one swift motion, I kick him in the groin and sprint toward the driver’s seat.

I fumble with the keys, my fingers trembling as I try to insert them into the ignition. The man is still trying to open the door behind me, his grunts of pain echoing through the air. Finally, I manage to start the engine and let out a wild scream of triumph along with a giggle. But my elation is short-lived as I see him approaching with an iron bar in hand.

My eyes widen when the window is impacted but doesn’t break.

A spectacle of dirt flies behind me as I crush the accelerator, shoving the man onto the ground. I roll over him, and a twisted smile creeps onto my face as I revel in the satisfying, crunching sound of his body breaking beneath the wheels. In this game of survival, I’m the victor.

Where’s Kai?

“Blood drops on windows, and enemies on sight. Bright ocean eyes that dance with the night,” I sing as I drive like a madwoman through the tight alleys, searching for Kai.

With each sharp turn, my heart lashes against my ribs, and my palms slick with sweat on the steering wheel.

“Brand new IDs when freedom takes wings. These are a few of my favorite things.”

Finally, I spot him, a mischievous grin on my face.

I slammed on the handbrake, my heart pounding hard enough to break my ribs, my hands shaking. Kai fights with one of the twins, a body lying on the ground next to them. The other twin, I presume.

“Intense love stories and crisp apple strudels. Coffee with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.”

As the fight intensifies, the metallic tang of fear and adrenaline coats my tongue, a bitter flavor that makes my throat tighten. My ultrasexygerous will be sore.

Grunts, groans, and occasional curses ring out as Kai and his opponent fight it. It’s a chaotic and brutal dance, limbs flailing and bodies colliding.

“Wild gangsters flying with the moon on their wings. These are a few of my favorite things.”

Kai moves with fluidity and precision, punches and kicks raining down on his opponents like angry thunderbolts. The other man fights with equal ferocity, his face twisted in determined fury.

And it’s beautiful. Incredible, even.

“Kai’s my boyfriend, my partner in crime. Chasing redemption in each stolen rhyme.”

The stench of sweat and blood fills the air as the two men exert themselves in the fight until I honk.

Kai’s eyes meet mine, and I crush the pedal as if my life depended on it.

It does.

I burst out a wheezing laugh when I realized I was having fun.

“Heart pounding fiercely, like wild, untamed springs. These are the verses our escape song sings.”

And when I’m close enough, Kai steps to the side while my forward motion knocks the twin to the ground. I back up to let Kai shoot a bullet in both the twins’ skulls.

Oh, shit. Only one to go, now.

With a mischievous grin, Kai slips into the passenger seat and meets my gaze with a crazed twinkle in his eyes. We exchange a knowing smile before I speed off, my foot pressing firmly on the gas pedal as if we’re on a racetrack. And I start laughing.

Let’s play whack-a-pursuer.

“There!” Kai shouts and points to a figure running away from us.

While my laughter intensifies, I swerve to the left and hit the guy, then crash into another car and slam on the brakes with calculated precision.

Thankfully, the airbags don’t deploy—just the way I planned it. Backing up, I run over the guy again, relishing the thrill of turning the tables on those chasing us like prey.

Kai looks at me with admiration and concern in his bulging eyes.

“What?” I ask in an innocent tone. “I’m fucking tired of being hunted like an animal.”

“I love you so much,” he says with affection dripping from his tone.

“Thank you, baby,” I reply with a smirk.

For the next twenty-four hours, I only want to be left alone to bask in this glorious moment.

I’ve reached an unattainable limit.

“Now, let’s get out of here,” he commands.

“Yes, chief.” I search for the nearest exit like a getaway driver in a high-speed chase.

“Damn,” Kai says as we reach the closed gates.

My insane determination kicks in, and I give Kai an evil grin. “I’ve always wanted to do this,” I say, revving up the engine before slamming my foot down on the gas pedal.

Kai braces himself, holding onto the ceiling handle for dear life as we crash into the barrier.

In the movies, the barrier always bursts dramatically. But in real life, it’s just plain disappointing. I look back at Kai quickly and see the fear in his eyes as I drive backward and sing. “Alleys and byways, my clandestine maze. Whispers of freedom, through evening’s haze.”

I slam my foot on the accelerator once more, determined to break through the barrier that stands in my way. It gives way with a loud crash, but instead of soaring into freedom, only the bottom part shatters, and I roll through clumsily.

“Starlight conspiring, as destiny swings, these are the notes that my liberation sings.”

Glancing at the rearview mirror, the top half of the fence stands strong.

Bitch.

What an annoying way to bust my fantasy.

As I continue down the street, I slowly obey all the traffic signs. My head sways to the rhythm as I continue humming, “Those are a few of my favorite things.”

Despite my failed attempt at breaking through the barrier, I’m satisfied. We have the car containing the new IDs, and all life actively jeopardizing us has been unalived.

The engine purrs underneath us, a steady hum that soothes my racing thoughts. Relief nestles within me, my hands loosening on the steering wheel and my heart rate slowing. My muscles relax as I no longer feel the need to grip anything.

I was made for this.

Satisfaction spreads through my body like warm honey, sweet and soothing after the thrill of the chase.

For a life on the run with Kai.