Page 42 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

The guys had given me a brief tour the other day, and my mind was still reeling from the sheer opulence of it all. Four levels of luxury, each more impressive than the last. I couldn’t help but feel small and out of place among such grandeur.

My fingers trailed along the smooth leather of the couches as I passed through the enormous living room. The mingled scents of the Alphas hung in the air, a calming mix that helped soothesome of the stress and tension I was carrying after that horrible dream.

More like a memory, really.

Shaking off that thought, I wandered down the hallway, trying to catalog everything they’d shown me and remember where it all was. There’d been a game room with gleaming pool tables and the latest gaming consoles; a theater with plush recliners that looked more comfortable than any bed I’d ever slept in; a personal gym that put most professional facilities to shame. My bibliophile heart had nearly stopped when I saw the library, floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked with more books than I could read in a lifetime.

Each of the guys had their own office, tailored to their individual tastes and needs. I’d caught glimpses of dark wood and leather in Dimitri’s space, while Tommas’ was brighter, filled with vibrant art and a wall of screens. The bedrooms were equally impressive, though I’d only seen them from the doorways, too shy to step inside those private spaces. Marco’s room was a bit messy but artfully decorated in deep blues, with black and white prints of various vehicles matted and framed, while Gio’s room was spectacularly clean, done in shades of grey with red accents.

But it was the Omega suite we’d passed that truly took my breath away. Double doors of rich mahogany stood closed at the end of one hallway, and my heart raced when they’d offered to show me inside. I’d chickened out, mumbling some excuse about seeing it another time.

The thought of that suite was too overwhelming to process. Having a space of my own, a bedroom and a nest, was a fantasy I wasn’t ready to bring to life, not because I didn’t want it, but because none of this felt real yet. None of it felt… permanent.

I couldn’t let myself look at it, knowing there was a strong possibility that it would all disappear. Allowing myself to dream,to hope, to truly picture myself as their Omega, and then losing it all, would break me—for good this time.

A whimper slipped up my throat, and I hugged my blanket tighter around my shoulders, seeking comfort. Which is exactly why I went in search of the small nest-like spaces scattered throughout the penthouse. Cozy nooks filled with pillows and throws, perfect for curling up and hiding away from the world. I headed for the one down the hall that I’d noted earlier, desperately needing a haven. Nestled near a vast window, it had an amazing view of the never-sleeping city twinkling below.

Blanket trailing behind me like a cape, I padded softly through the house. Until a sudden movement in my peripheral caused me to flinch, startling me so badly I jumped and bit my tongue. I whipped around, eyes wide, searching for the source as I swallowed down the coppery tang.

A dark shape loomed in the shadows, and I stifled a scream. But then I heard it—the soft jingle of metal tags. Beretta’s massive form emerged from the darkness, his nubby tail wagging lazily.

“Jesus,” I breathed, clutching my chest and letting out a shaky laugh. “You scared me, boy.”

Beretta traipsed over, his nails clicking against the hardwood floor. He came right up to me, nosing at my hand. I tentatively scratched behind his ears, my fingers sinking into his silky soft fur.

“Sorry, big guy,” I whispered. “I don’t have any bacon for you this time.”

He huffed, almost as if he understood, but didn’t seem too bothered by my lack of treats. Instead, he pressed his warm bulk against my thigh. It was comforting in a way I hadn’t expected.

“Wanna come with me? I’d feel safer with you at my side,” I murmured, surprising myself.

I ran my hand along his back before I kept walking, happy when he kept pace next to me as I headed for the nest.

But as I rounded the corner, I froze.

Tommas was there, sprawled across the pillows, shirtless and bathed in moonlight. The soft glow from a nearby lamp cast highlights and shadows over the tanned planes of his tattooed chest, accentuating the definition of his muscles. He was completely engrossed in a book—a beautiful golden hardback with an ornate dragon on the cover.

My breath caught in my throat. I shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be intruding on him like this. It felt too... intimate. I bit my lip, trying to back away silently, but Beretta’s tags jingled once more, betraying our presence.

Tommas looked up, peering over the top of his dark-framed reading glasses. His green eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with surprise and something else I couldn’t quite name.

“Butterfly?” he murmured softly, his voice a low rumble that sent unexpected warmth pooling in my belly.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. What could I possibly say to explain why I was here, interrupting his down time?

sixteen

KITANIA

Tommas’lips curved into a genuine smile, dimples flashing. “Can’t sleep either?” he asked, closing his book and setting it aside. “Come join me. There’s plenty of room.”

His invitation, casual and warm, broke through my paralysis. I hesitated, torn between the urge to flee and an unexpected desire for company.

“I... I don’t want to disturb you,” I whispered, fidgeting with the blanket around my shoulders.

“I promise, you’re not disturbing me at all,” Tommas reassured me, patting the space beside him. “You’d be doing me a favor, actually. D always says I should never be left to my own devices. Besides, I’d love the company.” Seeing the indecision on my face, he smirked and added one last convincing argument. “I’ve got snacks.”

Biting my lip to hold back a smile at how adorably earnest he was being, I took a step and then another, and before I knew it, I was joining him in the nest. I swallowed hard as I settledcarefully onto the plush pillows, hyper-aware of leaving some distance between us, despite the cozy space. The city sprawled below, a glittering maze of lights.

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