Chapter 338
Though Wallace couldn’t have bought much time, his interference should’ve prevented Kieran from tracing her so rapidly.
Only one explanation existed: Wallace himself had betrayed her to Kieran.
Alarieka’s chest heaved with rage.
Truly, no one in the Argent family could be trusted.
Recognizing the emergency, Jaylene and Tamika stopped questioning and focused on reaching the counter.
“Alarieka.”
This time Kieran’s voice cut through the air—cold and sharp—a final warning before patience vanished.
Alarieka pretended not to hear, slamming her ticket onto the counter. “Please process this immediately,” she requested calmly despite her urgency.
“Of course, just a moment…”
The attendant took the ticket, her gaze drifting past Alarieka’s shoulder. When the approaching man came into view, she blushed and ducked her head, typing furiously.
“Almost done…”
Hesitating, she added: “You’re Alarieka, right? That gentleman behind seems to be looking for you—he’s been calling your name several times.”
Alarieka Huston forcibly suppressed her inner turmoil, maintaining a calm facade as she whispered, “I don’t know him. Just ignore him and process this quickly. I’m in a hurry.”
The clerk chuckled lightly. “Ms. Huston, no matter how rushed you are, the flight departure time won’t change.”
Footsteps grew louder. Alarieka moistened her dry lips. “I need to clear security. Please hurry.”
Hearing “hurry” repeated three times, the clerk glanced at the approaching man behind Alarieka and nodded in sudden understanding. “Right, got it.”
Her fingers flew across the keyboard with intense focus. Within seconds, she handed over boarding passes. “Ma’am, proceed to security. This way.”
Alarieka took the passes. “Thanks.” Grabbing her luggage, she muttered, “Move fast.”
Jaylene Irwin responded instantly, “Go!”
Footsteps thundered closer. Ignoring her injured ankle’s protests, Alarieka strode forward, each step sending fresh waves of pain through her leg.
“Alarieka Huston!”
Kieran Argent’s voice cut through the air mere steps away. Alarieka’s pupils contracted sharply, her breath catching as she fixated on the security checkpoint just meters ahead. Teeth clenched, she lunged toward it.
Suddenly, Kieran’s icy presence enveloped her. Heat radiated from his arms locking around her torso. Gasps erupted from Jaylene and Tamika Coldberg as his large, warm hand clamped onto Alarieka’s wrist.
“Alarieka Huston.”
“Kieran Argent!”
Jaylene and Tamika shouted simultaneously, but Alarieka didn’t register them. The world spun violently as she tumbled backward into a familiar embrace, engulfed by his distinctive clean scent. His iron grip shackled her wrist, pulling her relentlessly against him.
Eyes squeezed shut, she buried her face in his chest. Before she could look up, Kieran’s gravelly, frigid voice rumbled above her:
“Alarieka Huston. Where do you think you’re running off to?”
Kieran Argent’s voice fell upon her head, impossibly close. His overwhelming presence surrounded her completely. Breathing in his scent only intensified her revulsion.
Eyes shut tight, teeth clenched, every fiber of her being screamed to escape—to flee this embrace she’d once yearned for, now cast aside like trash, unbearable to even glance at.
Within seconds, Alarieka Huston raised both hands, pushing and pounding frantically against him, her voice raw with fury: “Kieran Argent, let me go!”
Kieran remained silent, tightening his arms around her in response.
Each blow Alarieka landed on Kieran’s chest produced a dull thud, yet he made no sound.
She strained to look up, catching only the sharp line of his jaw and his prominent nose.
He didn’t look at her, his actions alone declaring she couldn’t leave unless he permitted it.
No matter how she struggled, Alarieka couldn’t break free. Her desperate blows left Kieran utterly unmoved.
“Kieran, have you lost your mind!”
“Release me!”
Her shouts echoed through the vast, silent airport.
Without looking, Alarieka knew every handful of people present stared their way.
Chapter 339