Page 78 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

Emilio’s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. In the span of a heartbeat, it felt as though he knew everything there was to know about me—my deepest secrets, the worst of my sins, my hopes and dreams—and had judged me accordingly. I fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny, instead lifting my chin and meeting his gaze head-on. I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but after a moment that stretched into eternity, a slow smile spread across his weathered face.

“Welcome to the family, Kitania,” he said, reaching out to take my hand in his. His skin was warm and slightly rough, the calluses speaking of a life well-lived. He brought my knuckles to his lips in a genteel gesture that seemed at odds with his dangerous aura.

“Thank you, sir,” I managed to squeak out.

“May I have a word?” he addressed his son, suddenly all business.

Dimitri pressed a reassuring kiss to the back of my hand before releasing me and giving his brothers a pointed look. I watched as the two men moved to a more secluded spot near the church’s stone walls. Their resonant voices carried, though I wasn’t able to make out the words. Their tones changed, and I realized they were suddenly arguing.

“Don’t worry, Dolcezza,” Giovanni murmured, stepping up behind me until his warmth licked along my spine. “I’m sure they’re just talking business. The usual stuff.”

I nodded, but couldn’t quell the unease that twisted through my stomach.

After what felt like an eternity, Dimitri was back, ushering us into the car so we could head to the burial site.

“What was that about?” I gnawed on my lip, probably ruining my lipstick and making the skin raw.

Dimitri sighed, and suddenly, they were all tense and on edge.

“He wants us at dinner tonight.”

I gazed from one to the next, trying to figure out why that was such a bad thing.

“It’s a family dinner,” Tommas shoved his hand through his hair.

“Like… your dads? Your sister?” That didn’t sound so awful. As intimidating as it was, I had to meet them all at some point.

“Nah, Angel,” Marco corrected. “As in thewhole damn family.”

Dimitri sighed and relented the rest. “And he wants you there.”

That unease in my stomach tripled, and I uttered the only thing I could since I was sure saying ‘no’ wasn’t an option. “Oh.”

I stayed in the car at the burial site, my heart pounding against my ribs as my nerves ran wild. The thought of facing the endless whispers and judging stares again made my palms sweat. I needed this moment to breathe, to gather whatever scraps of courage I could find before the impending family dinner.

Thankfully, the guys hadn’t minded that I chose to hang back. Despite all the scent-blockers I wore, along with the special panties, it was dangerous to be out in public as an unbonded Omega. While my men promised they’d protect me, I knew we’d all feel more comfortable when they officially claimed me. While we hadn’t had that conversation yet, I had zero doubt it was something they wanted. Their marks on my throat and the slight shift in my scent that would come with being bonded would make it far safer for me to be out in the world, but none of that would happen until I went into heat.

I shifted anxiously, triple checking the locks. Lonnie, who was also a Beta, was on bodyguard duty in the driver’s seat, andthough his solid presence was reassuring, even with the privacy screen between us, I’d never be as comfortable with others as I was with my mates.

In the distance, I spotted Dimitri, Giovanni, Marco, and Tommas paying their respects to Nick’s family. Dimitri shook another Alpha’s hand while Tommy kissed a tearful woman’s cheek. Pain built in my throat as I swallowed hard, trying to hold in the emotions that flooded me. I picked at my nails, looking away abruptly.

Scanning the crowd, my gaze caught on a familiar figure standing alone at the back. Enzo. The sight of him, isolated from the mourners, tugged at something in my chest.

Nick had been one of his best friends. What was he doing all the way back here?

Before I could second-guess myself, I pushed open the car door. Lonnie was out in an instant, but I waved him off, nodding towards Enzo. Understanding dawned, and he took up position, leaning on a nearby tree, giving me space while continuing to keep watch.

I approached Enzo silently, the soft grass muffling my steps. His broad shoulders were taut, his posture tense and lethal. Something about the way he held himself told me that while he may look relatively calm on the outside, inside he was a tornado on the verge of being released. His eyes were thunderous, his hands curled into fists where they were shoved into his pockets. A smarter person would’ve kept their distance, but his pain was familiar, and his silent rage called to me.

Given that it was the man’s job to stay alert, I knew he sensed my presence before he ever saw me, but he barely turned his head as I came to stand beside him.

“Careful,” he warned. “Don’t get too close or your Alphas might actually castrate me this time.”

I winced and then flushed. “They would never…”

He arched a brow at me skeptically.

I took the smallest step to the side.

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