Page 129 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

“I didn’t find Dr. Rossi to manipulate you,” he says, kneeling beside me. “I hired him to help.”

He hesitates before reaching out.

“Stay back!” I hiss. “You made me completely crazy.” My vision blurs with unshed tears. “And now, I can’t…” I wheeze, eyes wide, and my arms wrap around my knees.

He sits down, staying an arm’s length away, hands open in surrender. “I’m sorry.” The creases around his hazel eyes soften, and momentarily, I see the man I loved. “Fuck, Marianne, I’m so, so sorry.”

That’s his number one trick. Apologizing.

I choke back a sob, unable to look at him. The dark memories entwine with his words, creating confusion and mistrust. “You made me trust you, then broke me apart.”

Outside, the wind howls with the waves like a spectral orchestra. The bitter cold seeps through the walls, wrapping us both in its icy grip.

“I took those pills to please you. Because you were happy with me when I took them.” Tears roll down my cheeks. “God, I would’ve done anything…anythingfor you to love me.“ I curl tighter into myself, seeking solace in my embrace. “You are poison,” I say through gritted teeth.

I burst out laughing, but it soon becomes a cry as I realize the truth.

“You’re right. Eric doesn’t deserve to live. I’ll take care of it, cutie pie.”

A chill runs through me at the nickname—Eric’s voice, but not Eric’s words.

“You think killing will fix this? Will fix me?”

The storm outside crescendos, rattling my patio furniture.

Green eyes with golden flecks snap back to mine, blazing with a fire I haven’t seen before. It even smells like a campfire. “Fucking Christ, you don’t need fixing; you need love.”

I want love.

My breath hitches. He could be lying. I can’t think straight with the past and present blurring like this, but something in those eyes keeps me from running.

“I have a phone call to make, but I’ll help you lie down first.”

His words hang between us, suffused with desperation and something darker, something that coils around my heart like a vise.

“Don’t touch me.” My voice trembles as I push myself off the floor.

He stands, arms still open to show he means no harm—or so he claims. “I can’t let you out of my sight, not now. It’s too dangerous.”

I lie down on my bed, staring at the ceiling.

“Stay here,” he murmurs, voice softer now.

And I swear I want to stay awake, but my eyelids are too heavy, my muscles drained of energy, and the bed is so soft…

Chapter 26

Finally

When I open my eyes the next morning, I first notice the absence of sunlight. Ominous clouds cover the sky. Last night’s storm isn’t over yet.

A humming presence makes me pull the cover up to my mouth, and my eyes shoot wide open as soon as a delicious smell tickles my nose.

Coffee.

Smoked wood.

And citrus.

---