Page 122 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

“No one but us, our fathers, and the inner circle know this is a set-up,” Dimitri added, trying to reassure her. “All the lower level family members truly believe we’re branching out beyond high-value counterfeits. That we’re moving in on a piece of the market the Valentino’s have dominated until now. We’ve done our best to think of everything. To cover every angle. We’ve arranged extra security at the penthouse, and given how deep into our territory it sits, they’d have a death wish to try and hit us here.”

“We’re much more accessible at the docks,” I reasoned, “which is another reason they’ll fall for it. Not only are we directly moving in on their business, but part of the rumor we spread is that this shipment is crucial to our bottom line.”

“They’ll show, and while they’re trying to undermine us, you’ll be safe here, at home,” Dimitri promised. “I’ve got Enzo and Lonnie on guard outside the door and a dozen of our best guys on security around the building. We won’t let them get near you, and we won’t let them hurt us, either.”

“But if your best enforcers arehere, who will be protectingyou? Watchingyourbacks?” Her lip jutted out, nearly trembling.

Tommy prowled forward, tipping her chin upward, guiding her glistening eyes to meet his. “You sayin’ you don’t think wecan protect ourselves, Butterfly? Because I take offense to that,” he teased, but it fell flat.

“I-I’m worried,” she admitted.

Kit shifted, her slender frame almost bird-like in its fragility. The uncertainty in her gaze didn’t fade. I could see she wanted to believe us,neededto believe us if she was going to let us walk out that door tomorrow, but the fear had dug in too deep.

Dimitri stepped toward her, running a calming hand down her hair, giving her the physical contact I knew she craved. Especially now, feeling so unsettled. “Yes, this is about taking them down. But more importantly, this is about making sure you’re safe once and for all. You deserve a future, Kitten. One where you won’t have to be constantly looking over your shoulder. Constantly afraid. We’ll be fine. I promise you, nothing will happen to us.”

Despite our reassurances, I knew our girl wasn’t convinced. She was trying to stay strong, but her cracks were showing. I could see the toll this was taking on her, the sheer exhaustion living in constant fear had taken on her.

The moment she realized she wouldn’t be able to stop us, her shoulders slumped just a little, her lips pressing together in silent frustration.

Without a word, Kit stood. “I need some space,” she muttered hollowly.

I shoved a hand over my buzzed hair, wishing I could fix this. Instead, I watched her as she moved away; her steps slow and reluctant, like a prisoner walking back to her cell. Pausing at the entrance to the ensuite, she looked over her shoulder for the briefest of moments, then slipped inside, closing us out. A few seconds later, the gentle rush of water filled the air.

“She’ll be alright,” Dimitri stated, breaking the silence, but there was a faint hint of uncertainty in his words.

After a long minute, I tore my gaze from the door that stood between me and my Omega and glanced at my older brother. Dimitri stroked a hand over his shadow-covered jaw, a gesture that betrayed the worry he usually kept so well hidden.

“Will she?” I challenged, though I already knew the answer. Kitania was stronger than she appeared, but even the strongest could break under enough pressure.

And my Omega had been through more in one lifetime than anyone should have to endure.

“She’s scared. I understand that. But things will only get better if the Valentinos are dealt with. It’s worth the risk.” It was almost as if he were trying to convince himself.

And fuck. I wanted to believe it too. That we were doing the right thing. We knew how to handle ourselves. We’d never shied away from threats in the past. But we also hadn’t had an Omega before. Kit changed things. Made us re-evaluate the danger we so willingly walked into.

If anything happened to us, it could literally kill her—such was the connection between scent matched mates. And that possibility only increased once we marked her and sealed our bond. Either way, bonded or not, the risk for Omegas was great. If they lost their Alphas, they’d never survive it.

The weight of it sat like lead in my stomach.

But until the Valentinos were dealt with, they’d always be out there, haunting her, lurking around every corner and in every fucking shadow. She’d never truly be free.

That in and of itself made this plan worth taking a chance on.

She had to understand. I hoped some time to breathe and think it through would help her see why wehadto do this.

It was for her. All of it was for her.

But goddamn, I hated seeing her upset—scared and uncertain. I couldn’t stand the idea of her in the shower, worrying all alone.

I hesitated, wondering if she’d mind my intrusion on her privacy, before resolve chased away my doubt and I went after her.

“Gio—” Dimitri warned.

“My Alpha needs this, D.”

Sighing, he nodded. Just once.

The mirror was already fogged when I entered the bathroom. Steam swirled through the air, creating ghostly tendrils that clung to the walls. Beyond the mottled glass, Kit’s blurred form stood under the spray of the shower, her silhouette soft and delicate. Her arms were wrapped around herself as though she were trying to keep from falling apart. If that wasn’t enough of a tell, that earthy moonflower scent of hers that I loved had turned bitter at the edges—the floral notes almost too sharp, the earthen hints more musty than fresh.

---