Page 39 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

I squeezed her gently until she met my gaze. “Never be afraid to let us know when something’s wrong. Your health comes first.Always.”

Kitania nodded. “I’m sorry. I-I should have. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

I shared a devastating look with my brothers.Disappoint us?Fuckin’ hell.

My protective instincts went into overdrive, and a low growl rumbled in my chest.

“You could never disappoint us. This isourfault. We should’ve made sure you ate small amounts and fed you more often until your body adjusted,” I muttered, jaw clenched tight.The weight of my failure pressed down on me like a physical thing. The Alpha in me roared at my shortcomings. I’d let her down. Let her get sick. It was fucking unacceptable.

I saw the same need for redemption in my brothers’ eyes as we shared heavy looks.

“We’re gonna fix this,” I promised, rougher than I intended. Gratefully, the SUV screeched to a stop beside us. Marco was already out and rounding the vehicle, ripping open the side door so I could whisk Kitania inside.

Tommas paused instead of climbing into the car, glancing up the cobblestone sidewalk. “She has to eat before she passes out again,” he said. “We could take her to the Iron Crest Pub. It’s just down the block.”

“Don’t know it well enough,” I grumbled, jerking my head to motion that he should get into the fucking car. “Her safety comes first.”

“Which means she needs to eat.Now.” He refused to budge.

“Let’s split the difference,” Marco called out as he slid back into the driver’s seat after loading the rest of the bags into the trunk. “We’ll take her to Vino’s. It’s closer than home, and we know the place inside and out.”

Tommas sighed, giving up and climbing in. “You realize our… uh…family… will most likely be there.”

Dimitri shut the door behind him and then slid into the passenger seat. “Fuck it. Vino’s is the closest and the most familiar. Besides, the family being there will provide extra backup, should we need it.”

“Which we won’t. You’re safe, Dolcezza,” I promised the quivering woman in my arms. It took everything in me to set her in her own seat and buckle her in because I didn’t want to let her go.

Thankfully, Dimitri and Marco had been right, and five minutes later, we were pulling into the parking lot outside the best little Italian joint in all of New York.

Tommas released her seatbelt, and I immediately scooped her up, climbing out of the car with her in my arms again, where she belonged.

“Gio,” Kitania whispered, that adorable blush adding some color back into her pale cheeks. “I can walk. You don’t have to—”

“Shh,” I interrupted, softening my tone, “Let me take care of you.”

When she relaxed infinitesimally, I smirked, taking the win. I whisked her inside as Marco held the door. The scent of garlic and freshly baked bread welcomed us as we entered. The moment the owner spotted our group, he rushed over, replacing the hostess.

“Signor Cristenello,” he greeted Dimitri, bowing slightly. “How may we—”

D cut him off. No time for pleasantries. “We need our usual booth. Now.”

The owner’s gaze flicked to Kitania in my arms, then to me, before returning to Dimitri. Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Of course, of course.” Vino snapped his fingers for a busboy, and together they ushered the current occupants out of our preferred corner booth with hushed apologies and promises of complimentary desserts.

I watched impatiently as they hastily cleaned and reset the table.

“Right this way.” Vino motioned forward.

“Almost there, Dolcezza,” I murmured to Kitania. “We’ll get some food in you soon.”

“I’m—”

“If you say you’re fine, I’m going to spank you when we get home,” Dimitri grumbled as he slid smoothly into his usual spot.

“S-Spank me?” Kitania’s eyes widened, her fingers flexing where she gripped my shirt. “I don’t like to be hurt.”

D softened instantly. “Trust me Kitten, I’d never harm you. It might be a punishment, but I’d only do it in a way you enjoyed.”

My Omega’s lips parted as she sucked in a breath. It was only after she tore her gaze away from Dimitri she noticed I’d settled her on my lap when I sat down. She scrambled to move, but I banded my arms around her, keeping her right where I wanted. She gaped at me like an affronted kitten.

---