Page 7 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

“It’s okay,” I promised, using what I hoped was a gentle tone. “They’re with me, and you’re safe with us.”

Her gaze flicked to me, then back to the doorway where my brothers slowed and quieted, surveying the scene and drawing in huge lungfuls of air.

“Holy shit,” Tommas cursed quietly.

Marco opened his mouth, then closed it again, unsure what to say, his attention firmly locked on the shivering form in the corner.

Giovanni’s eyes were wide. “Fuck...” His grip tightened on his weapon, a low rumbling purr vibrating from his chest.

A fuckingpurr. If I’d had any doubt this Omega was ours, it would be gone now. The significance wasn’t lost on me.

An Alpha only purred for their mate.

I raised my hand, a silent warning for patience. I wanted them to have time to take her in, to process what this meant, but overwhelming her further wouldn’t do us any good.

“Status?” I asked, keeping my tone level and quiet.

Marco dragged his gaze to mine. “Area’s secure. For now.” He jerked his chin towards the basement stairs. “Rocco and his prick brother Vincent slipped out the back when we came through the front door. But at least we got one of ‘em. Looks like you took care of Antonio.”

“Vengeance was sweet, but also lacking. Asshole deserved far more pain that he endured before the reapers came for his soul.” Despite my best efforts, my tone went low and gritty with anger, and my Omega whimpered.

I winced. “Sorry, Kitania. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Her eyes widened at the use of her given name.

Gio’s attention was riveted on the woman, and he seemed almost pained to look away from her to address me and the problem at large. “We can track ’em.”

My jaw clenched. Those two sniveling rats were as good as dead for tormenting our girl. But hunting them would have to wait until she was safe. If they functioned anything like we did, they would’ve called for backup, which could arrive at any minute. I wouldn’t sacrifice my Omega’s well-being to satisfy a grudge, even if it were a damn good one.

“Let them live one more night. Their time is coming, but I think we can all agree that we have more pressing matters to attend to right now.”

Stark agreement rang through the room, though I knew none of us were happy about leaving those cockroaches alive for a minute longer than necessary.

But Kitania came first. She always would from this point onward.

I focused on her once more, and she peered back with eyes like shattered glass, so haunted yet still striking against her lovely face.

Careful to keep my distance, I lowered myself into a crouch. I hoped that making myself smaller would make me appear less threatening.

“We’re here to help you,” I said, using the gentlest tone I could manage.

Behind me, one of my brothers moved, and her attention tracked him before flicking back to me.

Marco tapped me on the shoulder. “D, try this” he murmured, holding out a key he must have found on the dead man.

I took it and proceeded carefully, forecasting my intent before unlocking the manacle. It clicked open and fell away with a clang. She rubbed at her sore skin while I leaned back, giving her back her personal space.

Astonished, she studied me, and that penetrating stare cut straight to the heart, as though she were trying to weigh what kind of man I was.

“You’re safe now,” I repeated the sentiment, praying if she heard it enough, she might actually believe it. “But we need to get you out of here before more trouble finds us.”

Slowly, so damn slowly, I extended my hand, palm up. An offer, not a demand.

She stared at it for several beats, barely blinking. For a moment, I wondered if she understood what I’d said. It was possible she was in shock or had a medical condition we knew nothing about. Much as I wanted to change it, we were strangers to one another.

Just when I thought she might retreat further, she unfurled slightly, slim fingers extending towards mine.

That’s my girl. Such a fighter.

---