Page 37 of Knot Forgotten

Fuck. I rub my chest, attempting to ease the pressure. I’d been so angry when I first found out she was Erin—our Rinny. My reason for breathing, until she left–in the flesh, hiding in plain sight. And part of it was because I hadn’t known it was her, on a cellular level. The second she showed up, I should have known.

Maybe I did. Even while kissing Riana, I would see Erin when I closed my eyes, and when we found her watching Cam and I… Fuck. I almost lost my load right then.

A manic energy seeps into my bones. I have to fix this. Tossing the covers off, I pull on a pair of black sweats and a plain matching T-shirt. Snagging my keys to my bike off of my dresser, I simultaneously shove my bare feet into shoes.

Then I'm out of the dorm and into the night air before I can second guess what I'm doing.

My bike roars to life beneath me the second I kick start it. I fly down the empty streets toward my childhood home. It takes two hours before I'm climbing off my bike and heading around the side of my silent house and through the empty backyard into the woods.

I pause at the base of our treehouse. It looks smaller now, worn by the many years of neglect. Still, I climb the wooden ladder and pull myself up into the long-forgotten space. Two short steps and a reach up onto the ledge we hid things, I take down the jewelry box I left here five years ago.

Flipping it open, I hold up the friendship bracelet Rinny made for me. Then I slip it over my fingers, tightening it securely onto my wrist. The heart she added to it dangles next to my skin as I fish out the other item I put in here.

A locket on a silver chain. I saved up all my money to buy it. I was going to give it to her. Then she was gone. It clicks open easily, and my gaze catches on the pair of us. A silly picture from a tiny camera she had at one time. But you can see the love on my face, the love in her eyes as she laughs.

My heart gives a painful thump, and I rub my chest absently as I shut the locket and drop it into my pocket.

First task complete, I climb down the ladder and head toward Rin's childhood home. When I reach the backyard, I stride quickly over the dead grass and up the steps. My fist pounds on the backdoor. I watch through the window as the light in the hallway flickers to life, then a woman appears wearing a silk robe.

She cracks the door open, blinking out at me.

“Where's Garrett?” I bark.

She stiffens, but I don't give a flying fuck.

“Get the fucker,” I demand, pushing into the house.

Rage rides me, and I need an outlet. Who better than the asshole that thought he could sell Erin to the highest bidder? Even the thought of what could have happened to her enrages me more.

“Garrett,” the woman calls out as she tightens her robe and steps back to the counter. Her hand drops to the drawer, and I stare at her fingers until she stops moving.

“I don’t hit women, but I’ll make an exception if you pull out a knife,” I promise.

“What the fuck is it, Libby?” Garrett growls from the hallway. I can hear his steps getting closer, and I’m ready when he enters the kitchen. His eyes widen slightly because he is only confident when beating his wife or child I suppose. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

My teeth clench tight, the tendon jumping along my jawline as I glare at the man responsible for Erin disappearing. “I’ve come to enact a little payback. You think you can get away with selling omegas?”

He holds up his palms and shakes his head, painting an almost friendly smile on his face. “You’ve got the wrong guy.”

I snort. “Do I? Because you look just like Erin’s dad, and you happen to live in the same house.” Gesturing around at the old kitchen that hasn’t changed a bit, I catch the omega, Libby, sliding the drawer open again.

His eyes narrow on me again at the mention of his daughter. He points at me. “I know you. You are one of those boys that thought they could ruin her. Her mom left so you couldn’t.”

“Touch that damn knife and I will teach you a lesson in listening,” I say, pointing at the woman, then I turn my attention back to Garrett, the monster that would sell his own daughter if given the chance. “That isn’t exactly the story that is being told.”

“You know where my daughter is?” he growls, advancing on me.

Too much talking. I didn’t come here to talk it out. Without answering, I swing my fist through the air and connect with his jaw. He reels back in shock before he pins me with a dark look. This isn’t play, and if he gets his hands on me, I’m probably dead. I duck under his incoming fist and up-cut him, hitting his chin firmly. Then I jam my other fist into his ribcage.

He lands a right hook on the side of my head, making my ear ring, and a splitting pain travels through my eye socket. It doesn’t stop me from slamming my fist into his stomach. When he doubles over, I bring my knee up, smashing it into his face. Blood flows from his broken nose as he stumbles back.

Libby is by his side holding him upright. “You’ve messed with the wrong people,” she says, anger glowing in her eyes.

“No, he messed with the wrong person.” I want to beat him some more. Instead, I just watch him. This man–this monster–is nothing when someone just as strong stands up to him. “You’re lucky I don’t do more to you.”

The sun is rising over the mountains in the distance as I pull back into the university’s parking lot. I stopped off at the store and bought a bagful of things Rin used to love when we were kids.

Will the treats make up for the asshole I’ve been? Probably not.

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