Page 23 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

The scentof freshly cooked bacon wafted through the air, stirring my long-forgotten hunger. I stared down at the plate in front of me, the fluffy eggs and crisp meat beckoning even as my stomach churned uneasily.

Tentatively, I took a small bite, chewing slowly, savoring the flavors that danced across my taste-buds. The buttery pancake melted on my tongue, the maple syrup mixing with the bacon until I was practically moaning from the combination of sweet and savory. It had been so long since I’d tasted anything this delectable.

All the while, the brothers conversed around me as they deliberated on where to take me for a shopping spree, their deep voices rumbling like low rolling thunder. The longer they talked, the more I squirmed as their conversation shifted from needs to indulgences.

“What about exploring that boutique on Luxe? They have exquisite dresses,” Dimitri suggested.

Giovanni nodded in agreement, adding, “Then we could check out FierceFit downtown. Kitania might like something athletic and comfortable, too.”

I wanted to tell them I’d be fine with a thrift store where I could pick up the essentials, but the words were stuck in my throat; partly because I wasn’t very good at speaking up for myself, but mostly because I could already picture the look of shocked outrage on their faces if I suggested something so far below their obvious lifestyle.

Embarrassment set in again. Were they sure I was the Omega they wanted to hitch their cart to? We were from vastly different backgrounds. While I had a hunch these men were on the dubious side of the law, it was clear they were filthy stinking rich, while I was the girl from the wrong part of town. I’d done what I had to do in my life to get by. I wasn’t an angel, as Marco liked to call me, but my crimes had been born of necessity and a will to survive.

Being surrounded by such luxury was an unfamiliar experience.

Hell, the OMA had felt like the Ritz and it was equivalent to sharing a college dorm room.

Spending money on myself had never been an option.

It wasn’t that I was averse to new things—I’d never met an Omega who didn’t love presents—but I never wanted to take advantage of their generosity. Already they’d saved me from the shittiest situation and given me a safe place to stay.

The more plans they made, the more I chewed on the corner of my bottom lip. In addition to the money problem, I couldn’t help but glance nervously towards the towering windows. The world beyond seemed to loom, filled with uncertain danger.

Swallowing hard, I turned to Dimitri, my voice barely audible. “Are you sure it’s safe to go outside?”

His piercing gaze settled upon me, and I fought the urge to shrink back.

“You don’t need to worry, Kitten,” he murmured, that gravely tone already becoming familiar. Oddly, something about it soothed my jangled nerves. “We’re deep within our territory. The Valentinos won’t dare come for you here. Especially after we decimated their forces. I’ve got my best men keeping watch. Besides, you’ll have four protective Alphas watching your every move. You’re the safest you’ve ever been.”

The conviction in his words slowly eased the tension in my shoulders, and I nodded

“I really don’t need much. I’m used to making do with very little.” Two or three pairs of underwear, a bra, some yoga pants, and a handful of comfortable t-shirts and I’d be fine.

The air went positively still. The sugar turned sour on my tongue as I blinked around the room at the statuesque Alphas. My fingers twisted in the fabric of my borrowed t-shirt.

Giovanni’s eyes narrowed as he squeezed my hip and drew my attention, his intense gaze pinning me in place. “You’re one of us now, little Omega. We’ll provide you with everything you need and more.” His deep baritone sliced through the tension, leaving no room for argument.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly as dry as chalk. “I… I don’t want to be a burden or take advantage.”

Tommas barked out a laugh, the sound shattering the heaviness. “Sweetheart, you could max out every platinum card we own and it wouldn’t make a dent. Let us spoil you for once.” His crooked grin made my heart flutter traitorously.

Marco crossed his arm and leaned back against the counter as he leveled me with a lazy smirk. “The boys are right, Angel. We’ve got more money than God at this point. We can afford to give you the finer things.”

My gaze dropped to the elegant hardwood beneath my bare feet. Part of me still rebelled at the thought of such indulgence after a lifetime of barely being able to scrape together enough for food every night.

But the larger part of me—the Omega that had been gradually awakening—wanted to give in. To finally let someone else take control. I was exhausted from holding all the fragments of my life together like a broken puzzle that needed to be reassembled but was always missing pieces.

It was as fruitless as trying to grasp smoke.

Slowly, I nodded. “Okay.”

Gio’s low rumble of approval gave me butterflies. “Good girl,” he praised, and I nearly panted. “Now eat up.” He gestured to the plate in front of me, still piled high with food.

My mouth watered, but my stomach already felt stretched from the few bites I’d taken. I hadn’t eaten a full meal in… God; I didn’t even know how long. But the thought of disappointing Gio, of him looking at me with that subtle crease between his brows again, was enough motivation.

Tentatively, I speared a forkful of the scrambled eggs. They were so fluffy and perfect, and I had to stifle a moan. Before I could second guess myself, I shoveled in another bite, and another, suddenly ravenous. I didn’t want to waste a single crumb.

“There ya go, sweetness,” Gio chuckled, his deep timbre washing over me. “Marco’s an excellent cook, isn’t he?”

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