Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

36. Freedom

Chapter 36

Freedom

“Pull over into an alley. We need to check our things,” Kai commands.

“Okay.”

I find a dark alley that could be straight out of a horror movie and park there. Maybe it’s the adrenaline from just taking down four guys. And the other four in the SUV. Eight bodies now. I can’t believe I have a body count.

We get out of the car, and I open the trunk. Inside are several boxes labeled AS and KH. We take them out, and I look at Kai, noticing all his bruises and cuts.

“Are you all right?” I ask with a tightness in my chest.

“I’m fine,” he replies, but I can tell he’s in pain by how he speaks. “I couldn’t even stop one guy from getting to you.”

“But I managed, dear,” I giggle.

“And I got shot,” he adds, admiring me.

“Shot?” An icicle twists in the pit of my stomach. “Where?”

“Just a graze, love. On my thigh,” he reassures me with a firm nod.

The events of the past few hours hit me all at once. Kai lets out an exasperated sigh before asking, “Did they hurt you?” He traces red lines and smudges on my arms with his fingers.

“Just some scratches.”

In a protective gesture, he pulls me closer and wraps his arm around my waist. “Squeeze me as tight as you can,” he requests as he massages my neck with one hand and presses gentle kisses against my temple. “It’s over now. We’re safe.”

Oil and dust mix with the lingering scent of gunpowder on Kai’s clothes. His warm breath against my skin sends shivers down my spine, but his hug is my sanctuary in this moment of chaos.

“You’ve got your hands full with me,” he murmurs into my hair, a tremor betraying his tough exterior starting to crumble. “Screwed-up criminal and an even worse patient.”

I let out a small laugh, breaking the tension. “Well, I’ve always had a thing for villains.” I look into his eyes and kiss him on the lips.

He smirks. “Let’s check our stuff.”

I open my box and find a wallet, complete with all the necessary cards for a normal life. I can’t help but laugh when I see the Costco card. It will come in handy during our escape, especially for stocking up on toilet paper. Inside are also my driver’s license, international work visa, credit card, health insurance card... and something catches my eye.

A firearms license.

In a smaller box, there are also keys and a stack of documents—probably information about our new identities. Alongside these important items sits a large sum of money and different passports from Canada. My heart rate slows as the reality of our situation sinks in. In another box, Kai finds a book on stock markets, practical as always. He shows me his passport.

“Kai Haruno...you’re officially a Kai now,” I tease. But then I notice something odd. “Didn’t you say you were twenty-eight?”

“Vic changed the dates.”

“So, you’re thirty-two now? And your birthday is in June?”

“Yeah, the thirteenth.”

I look at my passport and realize Vic has also aged me up. “Anna Rosita Salvador. Okay. Twenty-six years old?” I confirm.

“And your birthday?”

I let out a sigh. “July ninth instead of the third...” Finally free from our past lives, I ask Kai if he’s ready to go.

“Just a sec,” Kai says, inspecting the car.

“What’s the matter… Oh…”

Kai removes a plastic wrap that covered the car. The car isn’t light gray; it’s black. When the surprise passes, I help him. It looks like the film left on new stainless-steel appliances. It’s sticky but doesn’t leave any residue.

With the film removed and discarded, Kai rummages through the trunk. He removes the bottom of the trunk, where the spare tire sits. He lifts it, and I smile at the new license plate. With everything changed, we get into the car, a nondescript Korean sedan that blends in perfectly.

“Now, to a hotel,” Kai says in an authoritarian tone I don’t appreciate.

“Okay, but maybe we should leave the city first?” I suggest.

“No, it’s safer if we stay here.”

I can’t argue with his logic after all our close calls while on the move. “Fine,” I give in and start driving silently until we come across a nice hotel. I pull into the parking lot and turn off the engine before rubbing my face and sighing deeply. “Is this okay?”

He nods and follows me into the lobby.

Flashing my friendliest smile at the clerk, I say, “Good evening. We would like to book a room for one night. Preferably one with a whirlpool bath.”

The clerk raises an eyebrow and asks, “For you and your boyfriend?”

My gaze shifts to Kai as I reply, “Yes, for my boyfriend and me. And could we also have a veggie pizza delivered to our room?” My heart races with excitement; we’re finally free from the men who were chasing us. I pay for the room with cash left for me in the car, and Kai looks just as exhausted as I am as we head to our room with two key cards in hand.

My mind is numb, unable to process the events of the day. They seem like a distant dream. Kai drops onto the bed as soon as he sees it, and I tend to the wound on his thigh, closing it up with five stitches. He falls asleep before I can even finish bandaging him.

After wolfing down some pizza, I treat myself to a hot bath. As I scrub away all traces of the day’s turmoil, my mind is too exhausted to think about anything else.

Dressed in my pajamas, I slide under the soft covers and sink into the plush pillows. This is the most comfortable bed since that luxurious hotel we stayed at in Pearl Town, with Kai by my side.

Tomorrow, we’ll disappear forever on our journey.

A loud noise jolts me, and I jump out of bed. But then I see Kai standing beside the bed, and fear grips me. My first thought is that we’ve been discovered, but Kai catches me around my waist with one arm.

“Oh, no!” he yells, throwing me back onto the bed. “I just fell off the bed. We’re safe.”

He jumps on top of me and takes off my T-shirt, burying himself in my chest. His hands slide under my tank top and stop at my back as he rests his head against my heart.

And then there’s nothing.

It was just a scare. Kai had a nightmare and needed comfort. He’s slumped on top of me, holding me so tightly that it’s a wonder how I can still breathe. I start singing softly and his breathing becomes steady and calm again after twenty minutes.

His heart hammers against my stomach. I don’t know what he’s dreaming about, but to see this man so scared makes me want to cry.

“You’re safe, Kai. It was just a bad dream,” I assure him.

“Marianne, I can’t do this without you. I need you; I need this.” He squeezes me so tightly my ribs might burst.

I pat his back, trying to calm him. “What are you dreaming of?”

He sighs. If we’re truly together, I need to understand him completely.

“I see eyes... the eyes of the men I’ve killed. My mother’s disapproving gaze at who I am. My father’s laughter as he stands over my lifeless body. I don’t know what to do. I’m trying so hard,” he admits, choking up with emotion. He pauses, takes a deep breath, and loosens his grip on me slightly.

I breathe again.

The warmth of his body on mine soothes me.

His presence is carved into my soul like a necessity.

“I’m trying. But I’m so stressed…”

“Baby, you’re doing a great job. I’m stressed, too.”

He looks at me with confusion in his eyes. “About what?”

“I’m afraid that you’ll abandon me. That you’re going to lose patience one day and hit me,” I say, revealing my fears to him, hoping he understands my vulnerability in this instant.

Kai sighs again and releases me. The absence of his touch frustrates me beyond belief, but I know he needs space right now. He rests his head on a pillow and looks at the ceiling. He turns to me after a time that seems like forever. Face to face, our eyes riveted. His hand grabs a lock of hair, and he appreciatively lets it flow between his fingers. I’m amazed by his ability to be tender even in moments of distress.

“I’m so sorry you went through it all,” Kai whispers in a guilty tone. “I promise I won’t ever abandon you or hit you.” He closes his eyes. Intense reflection distorts his features. “When I see you, Marianne, I see all we could be. I’m aware of the absurdity of our situation. Of how I feel about you. But the feelings are there. I’m in love with you. And even if you’re scared, I can’t help it.”

His eyes open and meet mine, but I can’t decipher the sincerity behind his words in the darkness.

“Kai, have you ever been in love?”

“No.”

Oh, shit. I’m Kai’s first love.

“Well, then, how do you know?”

His eyes probe me. “You’re the first person who understands me so well. Sometimes, I think you’re in my head.”

Well… Same for me.

Despite the darkness, I distinguish his smile.

“I’m known in Winnipeg for being a real bastard. That’s something I can’t deny. Yet, in front of you, I’m intimidated. I’m losing myself. In Nay, I thought I was dying because it was so intense between us. It went way beyond sex for me. When you touch me, nothing exists but you. In my life, I’ve never truly belonged anywhere... until now, with you. And I don’t want to live without this sensation that comes over me when I hold you.” A small laugh escapes him as he adds, “You’re like a drug, and I’m completely addicted.”

Best declaration ever.

“I’m willing to wait and take things slow if that’s what you want. I need you as much as I need air to breathe. It’s ridiculous. And I know I’ll make mistakes. But I’ll learn.”

Kai stops his monologue. I bet he could go on all night. My fingers search for the light. His eyes are full of anguish when I switch the night lamp on. I trace with my fingertips the angles of his face, and his features soften to my touch. That’s a nice compliment.

“It would be so much easier if you weren’t so damn beautiful,” I blurt out, unable to contain my thoughts any longer. His eyes meet mine, and I lose myself in them. “Can you do exclusive?” I ask hesitantly.

Warmth spreads through me when he nods in agreement. “Love, I was loyal for thirty years to an empire that didn’t deserve it. I’ll definitely stay faithful to the woman I love for twice as long if she loves me back.”

“And if she doesn’t?” I press, wanting to know the truth.

“I’ll sulk,” he admits with a small smile.

“Lovely,” I say with sarcasm, knowing I can handle his sulking.

“Anything else?” he asks, trying to break through my barriers.

Blushing with embarrassment, I avoid his gaze.

I shake my head. “No.”

He’s the only person who has ever been able to break down my walls, with whom I can be completely honest.

Kai changes the subject with a playful tone. “Tell me one thing, though, cutie pie.”

“What?”

The guy has an arrogant smirk on his face. “Do you like me, at least a little?”

I match his expression with a smug smile. “I like you a lot.”

There’s nothing more to say. One arm hooking between my legs and one around my shoulder, he grabs me like I weigh nothing and pulls me to snuggle. With his head on my neck and my body curled on his side, he sighs and relaxes. It’s the best compliment in the world.

“I love you,” he says in a drowsy whisper. “Things will be better once we’re on the boat.”

“You really believe that?”

“I do. I have a gut feeling that once we step foot on that damn boat, life will be good again. It will take some time before Six finds someone willing to chase us down.” A dark chuckle. “He’ll be busy defending his territory against Rory and his rebels.”

“I hope you’re right,” I murmur, starting to doze off.

“Until then, we need rest. And love?” he asks, seeking confirmation.

“Yes?” I say, half-asleep.

“Promise me you’ll let me know if I ever cross a line or hurt you.”

“I promise,” I assure him before my whole body languishes in his arms.

We only got a few hours of sleep, but I’m fine again. Kai’s warmth envelops me and brings peace to my restless soul. It’s funny how a stressed being such as myself can sleep so peacefully in the arms of such a man.