Page 93 of Break Me Knot

“After you,” Elliot smiles.

The parking garage stretches out before me, concrete and shadows and too much empty space. The air is thick with exhaust fumes and stale air. Elliot gestures toward a black SUV with windows so darkly tinted they are pools of ink. My steps falter, my stomach pinging with every echoing step I take until I come to a stop, unable to go any further.

Something is off. I should have checked my phone. Should have rung Adrian to make sure he’d sent Elliot, and now I’m thinking of all the things I should have done before I came down here. I feel so stupid. The sound of car doors opening cracks throughthe silence.

My heart stops as two familiar figures unfold from the vehicle and a cold sweat breaks out over my body.

Lars. Hugo.

No. No. No.

“Hello, Omega,” Lars says, his face splitting into that same terrible smile I remember from my nightmares. “It's been far too long since I've had the pleasure of your company.” His voice carries the same tone he used before the worst beatings, that false gentleness that preceded true horror.

My legs turn to water and my lungs forget how to work as I stare at my nightmare made real.Run. The thought finally breaks through my paralysis. I spin on my heel, every muscle coiling to sprint, but Elliot's hands clamp down on my arms like steel bands and I’m caged in.

Another door opens, and the sound of expensive heels clicking against concrete makes my knees give out. I collapse, held up only by Elliot's bruising grip, as Dr. Mercer's familiar figure emerges from the SUV. She looks exactly as I remember, immaculate suit, perfectly styled hair, frozen-glass eyes.

A scream builds in my throat, but it won't come out. All I can think of is my nest, my alphas, and the future I thought was within reach.

“Oh, Mira. You've caused quite a lot of trouble, haven't you? Running away, involving the police, spreading such nasty lies about me.” She tuts softly, like I'm a disobedient child. “But don't worry.” She steps closer, her manicured hand reaching for my face. “It will be my pleasure to welcome you back to Haven and remind you of all the lessons you seem to have forgotten.”

Chapter Forty-One

Adrian

We step into the Brynwald precinct, the scents of coffee and paper files mixing with the metallic tang of anxiety. Asher is waiting for us in the foyer, his detective's badge glinting where he’s secured it on his belt. One look at his face tells me he understood the urgency in my tone during our earlier call. He's filled out since our university days. Still lean, but his shoulders are broader and the muscles show even beneath his jacket. His eyes still hold that same sharp intelligence that made him ace every criminal psychologyclass in school.

“Adrian,” he smiles, extending his hand. The handshake is firm, familiar. I see curiosity burning in his eyes, but I won’t tell him anything yet. Not until we’re in a secure room “Been too long.” His gaze flicks to Zane and Cole behind me, noting our collective tension.

“Thanks for making time, Ash.” My voice is rougher than usual, thick with the weight of what we're about to discuss. Thank the gods for childhood friendships that survive into adulthood. Thank the gods Asher chose to become one of Brynwald's finest instead of following his father into corporate law. I like Asher and his brand of no bullshit. The alpha is well placed for his job.

Asher ushers us past the reception desk and down the corridor. We're all on edge, hating the distance between us and our omega. Every step away from Mira is wrong, but this needs to be done. Her story needs to be told, and Asher is the only detective I trust to handle it with the care and discretion it deserves, especially since it incriminates two very powerful females.

My mind drifts to Mira, alone in our apartment. I still taste her skin on my lips, still feel her trembling beneath me as we made love. When this is over, I'm going to spend days worshipping every inch of her. Show her exactly how precious she is, how completely she's claimed not just our bodies but our souls.

I want to bond her.

We all do.

I want that permanent, unbreakable connection with her. I'll do whatever it takes to make her feel safe enough, loved enough, to ask us for that commitment. To want that forever as desperately as we do.

She deserves for nice things to happen to her. Be taken to nice places. Explore the world as she should. I’ll give anything and everything to see that. She should experience Paris. I imagine her now, wearing a flowing dress with a smile on her lips and laughter in her eyes, walking along the Seine, far from the shadows of her past.

Being an unregistered omega won't matter; I'll buy a private jet if I have to. Money is no object when it comes to her happiness, her safety. No more waiting in lines, no more hiding. Only the best for our princess.

Our miracle.

Our mate.

I’ll replace every bad memory with a beautiful new one. Every scar kissed until she associates them with love instead of pain. Every fear soothed by our constant presence, our unwavering devotion. She'll never want for anything again.

“In here,” Asher says, holding open a door to a private conference room.

Asher settles us into the stark interrogation room, the metal chairs cold and utilitarian, but I don't need comfort right now. I need justice.

“How've you been, Ash?” I ask, watching my old friend's face. The years have lined it with experience, but his eyes still hold his ferocity from when he was fifteen. Now he wears a detective's badge, and I’m happy to realize that fire still burns.

“Good, mostly.” He runs a hand through his dark hair, a familiar gesture of contemplation that takes me back to late-night study sessions. “I’ve formed my pack, which is just myself and two alphas. Like yours, I see.” His lips quirk into a small grin and settle back quickly. “Still no omega though.” A shadow crosses his face. “We’ve put our submission into Haven but…well, we’re getting older and the process takes so long. Omegas are too rare nowadays…” He shakes his head and pins me with a solid stare. “How's the Mortalis research? Every alpha pack in the country's watching Pinnacle’s work. Could change everything if you crack it.”

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