Page 95 of Knot Made to Break: Part Two

My throat closed up, memories of his cruelty washing over me in nauseating waves. The scars across my back seemed to throb in recognition of their maker.

“My mates are coming,” I managed, hating how my voice shook. “You should leave while you still can.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it. Don’t you see? That’s the whole point.” He laughed, the sound sharp and jagged, like broken glass. “What kind of host would I be if I disappeared after sending such a warm invitation?”

He advanced with predatory grace—slow, deliberate, leisurely. Like he had all the time in the world. His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement, lips curving into a mockery of a smile.

I waited until he was close enough—then struck.

A sharp jab to his side, just like Gio had taught me. Elbow in, weight behind it. A hit meant to hurt.

Rocco staggered a step, surprise flashing across his face.

But then it bled into something worse—twisted interest. Like I’d just made itfunfor him.

He slammed me back against the locked door with brutal force, hand closing around my throat. My head hit the metal hard, the air choking out of me in a strangled gasp as his grip tightened. Not enough to knock me out. Just enough to remind me who held the power.

“There’s that fire I’ve missed,” he murmured, his breath hot and foul against my ear. “Makes it so much more enjoyable to break you.”

His fist flew.

The first blow cracked across my cheek, sending stars exploding behind my eyes. I reeled sideways, but didn’t fall. More blood bloomed on my tongue—thick and coppery, flooding my mouth.

“You won’t break me again,” I hissed, spitting a bloody spray onto his shirt.

His expression darkened, cutting and angry. “We’ll see about that.”

Then he grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked.

I bit back a scream as he dragged me through the maze of his own creation, retracing every frantic step I’d taken. The warehouse blurred around me—and I lost track of the twists and turns. My feet scrambled for traction on the slick concrete, but it didn’t matter. Rocco was bigger, stronger, and he dragged me like a rag doll beside him.

I didn’t stop fighting. Kicking. Cursing. Anything I could do to slow him down.

But it was fruitless.

By the time we reached the top floor again—back to where this nightmare had started—my legs were shaking, breath ragged, blood dripping down my chin. He shoved me forward, and I landed hard on the floor, barely catching myself with my palms. Pain rippled up my arms from the jolt of the impact.

I scrambled to my knees and looked up just in time to see him level his gun my way.

“Look at you,” he sneered. “Right back where you belong. A pathetic slip of an Omega, on your knees for me.”

I glared, letting the full force of my hate fuel me. I gathered my strength, biding my time. I was no match against his gun, but Gio had taught me to look for weaknesses, to take every opportunity to escape when I was in danger. I put that into practice now, remaining vigilant, observant, cataloguing Rocco’severy move, every shift of his enforcers at his back, every subtle change in the surrounding scents as I stared down the barrel aimed at my forehead.

Every second I kept him talking was another second I got to keep breathing. No matter how hard I tried to find a way out of this, I was out numbered. Out powered. I knew my odds of surviving this weren’t good.

“You know what the funny thing is?” Rocco continued, gesturing with the gun. “I was going to make you mine. Keep you as a pet. But now?” His face contorted with disgust. “Now you’re used up. Ruined. Only good asbait.”

My stomach lurched. “They won’t fall for it.”

“You and I both know they already have. You canfeelthem coming, can’t you? Those pathetic Alphas of yours are so predictable. All I needed was their precious Omega, and I knew they’d rush blindly into my trap to save you.” He leaned in close, his bitter, burnt scent making me gag. “Too bad they’ll be too late. That’s what happens when you cross a Valentino. They’ll hear the gunshot that steals you from them before I round them up and slit their throats.”

Horror washed over me as his plan became clear. Rocco was going for total annihilation. Me, my pack, their territory. He wanted everything the Cristenellos had built burned to ash and rebuilt as part of his domain.

I reached out through our bond, desperately trying to warn them.

Don’t come. He’ll kill you. Please, don’t—

Their responses flooded back immediately, iron-clad and unyielding.

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