Page 17 of A Knotty Road Trip

“Rissa, is it?” I wait until she nods before continuing. “We have been here many hours now waiting on a flight that’s not going to happen, after weathering this winter storm to even get here. We are tired, in need of showers, and still haven’t had a full meal. This woman here may not be flying first class, but she will be accompanying us for the evening.”

Belle gasps behind me, and I puff my chest up with a little pride.

Rissa places her hands on her hips, and shakes her head, giving a fake sympathetic frown. “I’m sorry, but that’s not…”

“I am so sorry about the delay Mr. Baron, if you would just follow me right this way,” an older man in a black suit says, hustling toward us. He offers me his hand, and I shake it.

“But, Sir, that’s not policy,” Rissa begins, and the man cuts her a menacing glare, making her step back and whimper.

“As I was saying, gentlemen, and miss, please follow me. We will have someone take your things as we will need to head toward the hotel. There is an overhang leading directly to the hotel that should give you some coverage from this weather. I’m sorry we don’t have any buses available at this hour.”

“Sir, we need you at security,” the man’s radio crackles, and he sighs.

“If you will please excuse me for a moment, I will be back to assist you shortly.”

He hurries off, and Belle looks at me. Her eyes are wide, and I notice there is a small shake in her hands. I’m about to ask if she’s okay when I catch Tate giving me a dirty look.

Shit.

TATE

Taking Beck’s arm, I pull him over to the side as Angel talks to Belle.

He removes his glasses and rubs his eyes. I know he’s exhausted. We all are, but has he lost his fucking mind?!

“You invited her to sleep in the same room as us? Beck, what the hell?”

“We can't just leave her here, and I know that you guys don't want to sleep in an airport on some musty cot.”

“Well, no, but how do you know she's not another fangirl? I don't want to wake up to my hair shaved and online for thousands of dollars. Or even worse… How do you know that she's not some secret reporter?”

Sighing, he yawns. “She hasn't mentioned the band, not even once. I don't think she knows who we are, Tate. Plus, look at your cousin. Do you see him leaving her here? We will make sure she sleeps in a separate room.”

Groaning, I lean my head on his shoulder, and he runs his hands in my hair.

This is something we do. It calms me and right now I feel antsy. Like there is something going on that I don't know about.

“Fine, but Angel's dick can be the one on the internet. I'm locking my door,” I grumble, and he laughs.

Someone scoffs behind me, and I cringe. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, then turn.

Belle stands there beside Angel and she's wringing her fingers together. She's looking at her socks, avoiding my eyes.

“It was nice of you guys to offer, but I'm just going to stay here. Thank you for the picnic,” she mumbles before rushing off toward the bathroom.

Angel steps up to me and presses his chest to mine. He's pissed, and I'm waiting for him to strike me.

Beck places his hand between us and shoves him away.

“That was a dick move, Tate. Belle has been nothing but kind to us. She's not some crazed fan.”

“You don’t know that,” I hiss. Has everyone lost their fucking minds?

“I do know. I have been spending the last few hours with her, and she’s sweet, a little awkward, but fucking harmless. So get your shit together and go apologize. There’s no way in hell I’m leaving her here with that asshole lurking in the shadows.”

Stepping away from me, he crosses his arms and waits for me to obey. Growling, I stomp off toward the little omega. She’s fixing her blankets and trying to make a small bed in the corner by the window.

I can hear her sniffling as I get closer, and my heart aches. Dammit! She isn’t Maisie. She’s not out to get me and my pack. Taking a deep breath, I stop a few feet from her so as not to crowd her.

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