Page 30 of Knot Made to Break: Part Two

“Come on,” he encouraged. “One more sequence, then we’re done.”

I fainted left, then struck right as he’d taught me, using his own momentum against him. To my shock, I managed to land a hit on his shoulder—not hard enough to hurt, but solid contact.

Gio froze, genuine surprise replacing his careful instruction. “Holy shit. You actually got me.”

The wonder in his voice was better than any formal praise. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.

“Water break,” he announced, pride evident in his tone. “You’ve earned it.”

I gulped from the water bottle Gio tossed me, letting the cool liquid soothe my parched throat. As I lowered it, I caught Enzo watching me again. There was an almost proud expression on his face, but it was tinged with something else I couldn’t identify—something I wasn’t sure I wanted to look too closely at.

When he noticed my gaze, he arranged his features into an encouraging smile. “You’re learning fast. Keep that up, and you’ll be a dangerous little thing.”

The words were innocuous enough, but for some reason, his tone felt insincere. Not that he didn’t believe what he was saying.More like he was hiding whatever had been on his mind before he realized he’d been caught staring.

I gathered my towel and empty water bottle, following Gio toward the door. As we left, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Enzo’s gaze on my way out—the weight of it laden with an intensity that had nothing to do with friendship.

And it had me wondering…

What did he really want from me?

twelve

MARCO

She didn’t needto growl to make her presence known. The Bugatti sat like a beast ready to be unleashed—sleek, lethal, and impossible to ignore under the glare of the overhead lights. Every curve of the Chiron Noire gleamed like liquid obsidian, and for a second, I just stood there, drinking it in.

This wasn’t just a replacement for what I’d lost in the explosion. It was an upgrade. A flex. A fuck-you to the world that tried to take me out. I ran my hand over the hood, the cool metal smooth beneath my palm, and felt my pulse kick up. Nothing hit quite like the high of a new car—especially one that could hit 260 miles per hour and looked like a goddamn Batmobile.

But as the elevator doors slid open, suddenly the three-and-a-half-million-dollar masterpiece of engineering beside me might as well have been invisible.

Kit stepped out, a vision in a floral sundress that swirled around her thighs. The colors complemented her fair skin, making her glow under the harsh fluorescent lights of ourprivate garage. My gaze traced the curve of her waist, the swing of her hips as she moved. That leather jacket she’d thrown over the dress—the one I’d picked out for her—gave her this perfect edge, like a rose with thorns. Beautiful, but not to be fucked with.

Her scent hit me next, that intoxicating mix of sweet florals and fresh earth that had my Alpha instincts standing at attention. Delicate yet wild. Just like her.

“Marco!” Her face lit up when she spotted me, blue eyes bright with affection. My name on her lips sent a jolt straight through me, a feeling no engine rev could ever match.

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as she quickened her steps. Not a single glance at the collection of luxury vehicles surrounding us—the Lamborghinis, Ferraris, motorcycles that cost more than most houses. Shit, that used to impress every woman I’d ever brought down here. But Kit’s eyes were fixed solely on me, like I was the most valuable thing in this concrete vault.

My arms opened automatically, and she walked right into them, fitting against me like she was made for the space. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling deeply. Nothing beat Kit’s scent—nothing.

“You look fucking incredible,” I murmured against her ear, feeling her shiver against me. My hands settled possessively at her waist, thumbs brushing over the soft cotton of her dress. “This new?”

Kit pulled back just enough to look up at me, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “Julia helped me pick it out over video chat. Said I needed something ‘cute but not trying too hard’ for our date. It’s the sundress Gio picked out for me, paired with the leather jacket you bought me. Do you like it?”

I chuckled, making a mental note to thank Julia later. “Yeah, Angel. I do. Remind me to send my sister a fruit basket or something.”

Kit laughed, the melody of it echoing through the garage. That laugh had become my favorite fucking sound in the world, especially knowing how rare that type of joy had been in her life.

Her eyes finally drifted past me, widening almost comically as they landed on the Bugatti. “Holy shit,” she whispered, pulling away from me slightly, gifting me with an even rarer curse word. “Is that...?”

“A Bugatti Chiron Noire,” I confirmed, watching her reaction with a surge of pride. “One of twenty ever made.”

Kit circled the car slowly, her fingertips hovering just above the paint, like she was afraid to touch it. When she finally did, her fingers traced the sleek lines reverently.

“It’s gorgeous,” she murmured, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

I moved behind her, unable to resist wrapping my arms around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. The feel of her soft curves against me was fucking intoxicating. I pressed my lips to the spot just below her ear.

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