Page 17 of Knot Dead Yet

A half hour after my dad knocked on my door, I ushered Casimir out of the suite and stole another kiss before closing the door on us forever. Even if his business kept him in Winnipeg for a while, it didn’t matter, because I was going to escape to Nicolette’s house in Alaska the next morning.

I’d collapsed, thoroughly exhausted, and slept until…

Cracking open one eye, I glanced at the clock. Noon!

I jerked up and gaped at the stupid lying box. It couldn’t be midday already!

Scrambling, I tried to find my phone and then remembered I’d lost it. I smacked my forehead and then ran out of my room into the living area of the suite to check the time on the big clock hanging over the fireplace.

12:03.

“Fuck!” I fell back onto the couch and kicked my legs like a kid throwing a fit. Okay, maybe I was being a bit child-like. But I’d been an idiot not to set an alarm. Taking a deep breath, I sat up and breathed out, spreading my hands as if I could grasp some sort of serenity. “Half the day wasted, but whatever. I can still do this.”

I had to get as far away from here as possible. For many reasons. Several tall, muscly, and handsome reasons.

Shower first. I still had Casimir’s scent all over me. His big hands, his glinting eyes, his lapping tongue… Oh God. My body betrayed me with a gush of slick as I hurried to my bathroom. I cranked on the cold water and threw myself under the stream, squealing as the icy jet hit my scorched skin.

I stayed still, forcing myself to stay in the cold until I could get Casimir out of my head.

Which I knew would be impossible.Damn him.

“Think of the bustling streets of Dublin, the windy Irish cliffs and foggy beaches, dimly lit little pubs older than the history of America.” Yes, Ireland. I should be there right now. I shouldn’t be damning Casimir. It should be my dad. None of this would have happened if he hadn’t bought the Rampage. If only he wanted to spend time with me. Why didn’t he want to have a vacation with his only child?

I gritted my teeth and hissed out a breath, letting my anger push against the chill of the shower. “My dad is an ass. All of this is his fault. Screw him and his fucking hockey team with hunky players!” I straightened and lifted my chin, standing defiant against the white tiles in front of me. “Yes, Kienna. Give in to the dark side. There might be cookies. Hell, there can be anything you want. You’re free to choose whatever you want to do.”

Freedom. Nothing about being an Omega would hold me back.

I flipped on the hot water and washed myself, never ceasing my internal movie rip-off pep talk. Once I was done, I dried and put on a fluffy robe before sitting myself in front of my father’s laptop. There was a big bouquet of lilies on the table, and I paused to give them a sniff. The gentle scent of honey and almonds calmed me further. Time to get to work.

I ordered a new phone first and put the shipping address to Nicolette’s. Quick and easy. Next I checked the flights goingout of the Winnipeg airport and groaned. Most flights had already left for the day, but there was one. A single flight going to Denver at two o’clock. From there, I could catch a plane anywhere.

After sending a quick email to my bestie, I dressed in jeans with flared bottoms and a bright sea green cashmere sweater. Everything else I stuffed into my suitcase. I brushed out my hair and threw on a few hair clips to keep it back before adding on a light layer of makeup. I topped it off with a touch of dusty rose lipstick. Deciding I looked like a sane person again—mostly sane—I set the sign on the suite’s door for it to be cleaned and took the elevator to the front desk.

I had the man behind the desk call me an Uber to the airport since I no longer had the rental. I’d called the company last night from Tiergan’s parents’ house, and they promised to take care of the vehicle. No one asked any annoying questions, and as I went out to catch my ride, there were no lurking hockey players stalking around the exits. I still couldn’t believe Kane and his pack did that.

It was a fifteen minute drive to the airport. I thanked my driver and made my way inside, locating the company I knew had the flight out to Denver. No one was in line.

“Hi!” Giddiness flooded through me. I was so close to getting away from here. “I’d like a first class ticket on the next flight to Denver, please.” Then just to make certain I got on the plane, “Or any seat that’s available.”

The woman had tired eyes and her blonde hair was pulled back into a severe bun. “Sorry, miss. The flight is completely booked, but I can get you on Friday’s flight.”

No, no, no. She didn’t understand the urgency of it. “Surely there has to be at least one seat.” When she didn’t say anything, I asked, “A cancellation?”

“Sorry. The flight is full.” She was patient and calm, and I was feeling none of that.

My giddiness had turned into desperation. “What if I sat where the attendants sat? I don’t care. I have to get out of here.” I gripped the edge of the counter, hoping that I didn’t look crazy. I needed to give her a good reason. A reason she could put me on that plane. “My aunt, she’s very sick. I need to get home today. Isn’t there any way you can get me a seat? Money isn’t an option.”

“I’m sorry, miss.” She was sounding like a bot on repeat. “There isn’t anything I can do.”

I bit back the urge to yell at her, to plead and cry. It wasn’t her fault. The logical part of my brain knew that, but my turbulent emotions demanded I get on that flight through any means possible.

Pushing away from the counter, I hurried into the middle of the waiting area dragging my suitcase behind me. “Anyone taking the two o’clock flight to Denver? I need to buy your ticket from you. I’ll pay twice the amount.” When no one even looked my way, I shouted, “Three times the amount! I have to get on that plane. Please!”

Some people glanced up from their phones, and one woman holding the hand of an elderly man gave me a condoling look. I didn’t want to be pitied. What I needed was to get away from Winnipeg!

“Group Four now boarding at gate three for Allies’ two o’clock flight to Denver.” The stiff female voice crackled as it made its announcement throughout the terminal. “Le groupe quatre embarque maintenant à la porte trois pour le vol Allié de quatorze heures à destination de Denver.”

Group Four? Shit. That meant they had already boarded the first three groups. This could be the last one. My final chance.

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