Page 54 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

Her delicate fingers fussed with the edge of the blanket as she peeked up at me, waiting to see what I would say.

“That’s a beautiful dream, Dolcezza,” I told her gruffly, working to keep my Alpha in check. Instinct nearly drove me to storm off this couch and find the nearest commercial space to rent so I could make her vision a reality.

“It’s whimsical and far-fetched. An Omega would never be allowed to run a shop.” She shook her head, as if trying to dislodge the dream from taking root. “Ready for another hand?”

I let her change the subject, for now, knowing this wouldn’t be the last time we talked about what she wanted out of life.

I made a quick mental checklist of shit to do.

1. Secure her safety.

2. Make her mine.

3. Give her the fucking world on a silver platter.

I focused on my cards, searching for my patience, because damn-it-all if I didn’t want to check off every item on that list—tonight.

This time, I purposely lost, giving in to the temptation to know what questions Kitania had for me. Curiosity burned through me as her mouth opened and then immediately snapped shut again.

I ran my thumb along the lush curve of her bottom lip, soothing away the worry her teeth had etched there. “You don’t have to freak out. You can ask me anything you want. I’m an open book with you.”

Drawing in a deep, fortifying breath, those blue eyes of hers met my gaze head on. “On the way to the restaurant the other day, I heard you and your brothers talking. You, um, you referred to your ‘family.’ And the way Maison reacted to you at the shop, how Vino cleared your table so quickly…”

I went absolutely still beside her, holding my breath as she barreled on.

“I guess what I’m trying to ask is… are you… I mean, is your family…” She swallowed hard. “You said the Valentinos are your rivals. Are you part of the mafia or something?”

The air left my lungs in a harsh exhale.

Well, fuck.

It wasn’t as though we’d been hiding shit, but my girl was too smart for her own good.

Raking a hand over my cropped hair, I considered how to respond. We weren’t exactly low key about our operation—it was an open secret in this city which family ran things—but bringing an outsider, especially a fragile Omega, into our world? A deep part of me rebelled, wanting to save her from the darker side of our lives.

Kitania must have sensed my hesitation. “You don’t have to answer that. It was too personal, I shouldn’t have—”

“Yes.” The word slipped out, harsh and blunt, cutting off her rambling apology. No half-truths, no lies of omission—not with her. She deserved the truth.

“The Cristenello’s have been running Silver City for generations. Our fathers are in charge right now, but they’re looking to step down, to pass everything on to me and my brothers.”

Those blue eyes searched mine, seeing straight through to the darkness. I braced myself for her recrimination, the fear and disgust that was sure to follow.

Instead, she simply nodded, worrying at her lip once more while she processed my confession.

Forever a masochist, I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Does that bother you?” I had to know. If the mere thought of what I was repulsed her, then there was no point in continuing this courtship, even if the idea of letting her go absolutely fucking gutted me.

“Should it?” She arched one perfect eyebrow with a quiet sort of defiance.

My Alpha stirred at the spark of fire in her gaze, instincts recognizing a mate brave enough to walk through the flames at our side.

“We’re not your typical pack,” I told her frankly. “The life we live, the things we’ve done…” I shook my head, pushing aside the memories that threatened to resurface, the deeds that stained my soul. “There’s ugliness there, sweetness. Darkness you can’t even imagine.”

“I’ve seen darkness, Gio,” she whispered.

The quiet admission sent an icy chill of rage laced with the searing need to protect what wasmine. Without warning, I pulled her closer until she was tucked against my side, my nose buried in the tempting curve where her neck met her shoulder. Her cards fluttered to the floor as her hands gripped my t-shirt. I soothed myself with the mossy, floral scent of her signature, drawing it deep into my lungs until it branded my goddamn soul.Home. Mate.

“We shouldn’t be dragging you into our dangerous lives,” I growled. “You’re too innocent. Too pure. But I’m too fucking selfish to do the noble thing and let you go.”

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