Page 28 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

I have a bit of a crush on this supposedly dangerous, sexy man. He’s just like Seito. Except for the red hair and purple eyes. Can he whisk me away to another galaxy?

I should take care of his wound. “Why were you being chased?”

He shifts, his features twitching in discomfort. “A deal gone wrong.”

“What kind of deal?”

He pauses, his stare hardening into a brooding silence. “Transportation.”

I snort. “Did you try the gun to the head trick?”

Oh, my god… Now is not the time for sarcasm.

He chuckles, wincing. “Well, yes. But he wasn’t being reasonable, so I shot him.” The corner of his mouth lifts in an evil smirk.

As if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Are they still looking for you?”

“No, we’re out of their turf.” I know by the tone I won’t have any more details.

I won’t ask who’s “they.”

There’s an edge to his voice now as he studies me. “Who were you speaking with on the phone earlier?”

I like that when it rains, everything turns into various shades of blue. “My uncle.”

He leans on his side, his eyes narrowing. “You talked to him like he was more than that.”

“When my mother disappeared, my father left me with my uncle Corey and his wife Nina.” The lamppost outside bleeds into pools of orange, highlighting the drops as they race each other down the pane. “I stayed with them for five years.”

We’re silent for a few moments. I can’t identify if the pills are responsible for my untied tongue or if it’s because I’m weirdly comfortable with him.

“Your father... did he come back?” His voice is low and hoarse from the pain.

I scoff, bitterness creeping into my voice. “No, he remarried and moved on without me. Thank you, Marianne, but you no longer fit our perfect life. Bye…” I say as I wave goodbye to the raindrops.

His brows furrow. “Where’s your mother?”

I sigh and look down at my manga book, where Seito just repaired his ship. “I don’t know. She left when I was eleven, and I haven’t seen her since.”

“Who’s Eric?”

My heart skips a few beats, and I get a hiccup of nausea. “He’s my ex.” I can’t even say “boyfriend” because I might throw up.

Wait a minute. How does he know?

He tips his chin toward my keys dangling from my bag. “I saw the inscription on your keychain.”

The keychain Eric gave me for our second anniversary. A keychain. Pathetic. No flowers, no restaurant. A dull keychain with his name engraved on it. Donovan had Arietta’s name tattooed on his chest for their second anniversary. I can’t believe I thought he was the man of my dreams. Eric had no respect for me.

“You don’t want to have sex? It doesn’t matter. Take a pill, princess.” Relax. Not “I’m going to give you a massage; we’re going to cuddle,” no. “Take a pill.” The answer to everything. “You’re angry; take a pill. You’re sad; take a pill. You’re stressed; take a pill.”

“Shut that fucking mouth before people start noticing you’re crazy. Just take a pill, it’ll be better.”

Knock, knock.

It’s the food!

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