Page 158 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

I hang up.

Am I really going to do this?

Taking a chance on love could be risky. I’m nervous.

“If we’re going to do this, I have some conditions,” I say, turning to Kai.

He runs his hands through his hair and lets out a sigh. “Okay, what are they?”

“First, the second you lift even a finger on me, we’re d-o-n-e. Done.”

His muscle tone vanishes at once. “What are you doing, Marianne?” he stammers.

“Second, the minute I tell you it’s over, you go. No fit of tears, no pleas, nothing. You scram, and you never come back.”

Kai’s face splits with a genuine smile.

“Third, if you ever lie to me again, I’ll feed you to the sharks, all chopped up like chum.”

My heart races as realization dawns in his eyes. My emotions are all over the place—happy, angry, relieved, sad, uncertain. He leans in to kiss me, but I put my finger on his lips to stop him.

“Nope,” I say.

He looks confused.

“Promise,” I demand.

“What?”

“Promise to respect my terms.”

He lifts his head and gives me the most serious look I’ve ever seen from him.

“Marianne, I swear on my mother’s love that I’ll honor all your conditions, present and future. Cutie, I love you.”

“Okay, then, let’s go.” I smile.

As soon as I’m done speaking, he squeals the tires and laughs like a maniac. I hit the button on my phone to call Victor back.

“So, girlie, did you say your goodbyes?” he asks.

“Not really, no.”

“Hey, Victor,” Kai says with a smirk.

“Oh, shit,” Victor exclaims. “She kept you!”

“Don’t get too excited,” I retort. “I’m keeping him as a bodyguard for safety reasons.”

There’s no way I’m telling Victor that I’ve fallen for a criminal. Kai needs to hear it first. Ultrasexygerous scratches his cheek in disappointment.

I blush bright red, then laugh it off. “Anyway, his name is Kai.” I can’t name him Kai Kiken. It’s too obvious and, well, not real.

I need a Japanese name.

“Haruno,” Kai answers for himself. “Kai Haruno.”

Victor laughs loudly. “And what’s your new name, Care Bear?”

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