Page 89 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

These enigmatic, dangerous men gave me a side of themselves no one else got to see, a side that was giving, kind, and protective. A side that was just for their Omega… forme.

Getting to know them had become my favorite pastime, and it was in those small moments that I found myself falling for them.

It was the comfort of reading with Tommas every night, and how he always made me feel as though I belonged.

How Giovanni believed in me whole-heartedly, whether it was blind faith in my poker face or encouraging me in the gym.

It was the way Marco recognized and understood my boundaries, being so gentle, and yet pushing me at the same time.

And then there was Dimitri, with his tightly leashed control, letting me in little by little. He’d saved me, trusted me, cared for me.

Piece by piece, they’d put the broken parts of me back together, and while I’d never be the same, I didn’t feel quite as shattered as I had before. These men had become my whole world, and it was only because of how deep my feelings ran that I was here now, doing something that absolutely terrified me.

Because they were worth it.

Worth the whispers.

Worth the leering looks.

Worth the jealous remarks about my body or my designation as we passed through the throng of people.

And most importantly, they were worth facing my greatest nightmare.

I wanted, more than anything, to fight for our future, and despite the fact that my palms were sweaty and I’d already noted my exits, that’s exactly what I was going to do.

Marco, who stood on my other side, reached up and stole my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. I held on so tightly, I worried I might crush his bones.

Leaning close so I could hear him, he murmured a reassuring, “You’ve got this, Angel.”

And I hoped with every fiber of my being that he was right, because at the moment, I felt as though I was drowning in a sea of uncertainty, completely out of my depth.

Breathe. Just breathe.

They led me deeper into the warehouse until it opened around us—each floor a balcony looking down on the cage below. There were peopleeverywhere. Dim lights cast long shadows across the numerous faces, turning the crowd into one snarling, hungry beast.

The entire vibe of this place was overwhelming, and the mixture of Alpha scents hit me like a physical force. A headache throbbed to life instantly. My breath caught in my throat, and I pressed closer to Dimitri’s side, hoping to borrow some of his strength so I didn’t do something embarrassing, like pass out.

What have you gotten yourself into?

Thankfully, my scent was concealed—a compromise Emilio had reluctantly agreed to. My Alphas had insisted it was non-negotiable, and I was relieved not to attract even more attention while walking in on Dimitri’s arm.

We took our seats in the front row, close enough tofeeleach hit. The metallic tang of blood smelled stronger here, and Isquirmed in my seat, hating the idea of watching Gio fight. Of his blood painting the mat, adding to the mix. It only made me more nervous.

Posture stiff, I tugged at the hem of my little black dress. The material barely covered the tops of my thighs, and while it had spaghetti straps, the swell of my breasts were exposed. It was a far cry from what I typically wore, and if it weren’t for the leather jacket I’d paired with it, emblazoned with Giovanni’s fighter name ‘The Soldier’ across the back, I would’ve felt half-naked. Luckily, Julia, who’d helped me put together my outfit, had lent me a pair of don’t-fuck-with-me heeled ebony boots that rose to my knees, adding some extra coverage while making me feel like a badass on the outside.

But inside, I was a jittery mess.

My gaze darted around nervously, searching for Rocco, Vincent, or any of their men. That they could be anywhere lingered in the back of my mind, keeping a constant thrum of adrenaline pumping through my veins. Thankfully, I didn’t spot anyone familiar except for Enzo and Lonnie, who flanked our section of seats, working security with a handful of others I assumed were loyal to the Cristenellos.

Enzo gave me a nod and a friendly, lopsided smile when our gazes collided. It was nice to know I had a friend here, and I sent him a small wave in return.

It wasn’t long before the announcer’s voice boomed through the warehouse, announcing the fighters. Tommy was in Gio’s ear as he escorted him to the front of the ring, his lips moving rapidly as he gave last-minute advice.

“He’s got this,” Marco promised, but I couldn’t shake the tension.

Gio searched the crowd until he found me. I put everything I was feeling into the way I gazed back at him, wishing him luckand telling him to be safe without words. He nodded, and I knew it was for me.

Shucking his robe, he climbed into the ring, a powerful, lithe predator. All his golden skin was on display, his tattoos spanning from his waistband to his neck. I wanted to spend hours tracing each one—with my fingertips, my hands, my tongue. The man was beautiful, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him as the bell rang and the fight began.

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