Page 123 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

My throat tightens as I take a deep breath and force out the words, “What do you want?”

His response cuts through my chest like razor-sharp knives. “I miss you,” he says, each word dripping with desperation and longing. And all I can hear is the haunting music from the old radio.

“The wheels on the bus go round and round.”

I scoff, refusing to believe his manipulative lies. “Nice try.”

Eric’s mouth twists into an angry smirk, his true intentions clear. My nonchalant attitude only seems to fuel his fury. Cloudy fingers, seemingly made of white cloud, elongate and curl toward my throat, gripping me by the soul and cutting my air supply.

All through the town.

“I should be in that bed with you,” he whispers, his voice dripping with sinister intent.

I recoil at his suggestion, repulsed by the thought. “No, thank you.”

“Are you sure, princess?” Eric leans against the door, effortlessly bending the metal chain as if it were nothing.

“The doors on the bus go open and shut.”

Open and shut.

Damn it. The nickname brings spasms in my stomach, reminding me of all the pain and abuse he caused me.

Open and shut.

I’m going to be sick. His hazel eyes analyze me, and I feel so small.

He gives me a wicked smile. I have palpitations all over my body, and my breathing quickens. But I won’t let this jerk throw me off to the point of having a panic attack.

“The doors on the bus go open and shut.”

All through the town.

The icy fog twirls around my body, getting higher by the second until it reaches my jaw. Then, it squeezes.

“You used to be such a good girl, Marianne. Come back to me,” he urges, trying to lure me back into his grasp.

I stumble backward on the hardwood floor, my clothes soaking wet and muddy from running through the forest in a thunderstorm. And I run. I run as fast as I can, but he catches me. Lightning lights up the sky in a defying call, followed by thunder that vibrates through my legs, travels up my chest, and explodes in my mouth.

“No!” I shout, my voice shaking with anger and disgust. “I want to smash your face in for all the nights wasted getting beaten up and fucked when all I wanted was to sleep. I’m never coming back!”

“I’ve been out with other girls,” he confesses, a hint of desperation creeping into his tone. “But none of them compares to you, princess.”

Thunder cracks the sky in a beautiful pinkish hue, the resounding boom bringing me back to life.

“Leave me alone,” I spit and laugh.

His fingers snaking on the edge of the doorframe don’t make me shiver with terror anymore.

I’m stronger than that. “You hold no power over me!”

I smash the door on his fingers, and I scream so loud my veins might pop. “Fuck you!”

“No, no, no…” his voice laughs.

The fear of what he might do if he gets inside grips me tighter than his hand ever could. I scramble backward, my back hits the bed. I’m panting. I’ll get Alumina Bang Bang, my baseball bat.

My heart pounds, a wild drumbeat that echoes in my ears. My mind reels, caught between fear and disbelief.

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