Page 61 of Knot Made to Break: Part Two

While it was just the two of us, I turned my full attention to my girl, savoring this rare moment of alone time. We spent the next fifteen minutes chatting happily about the confections she wanted to recreate once our kitchen was functional again. I responded when needed, but my focus kept returning to Enzo as he chatted outside, on the way his eyes kept drifting to Kit when he thought no one was watching.

By the time we finished, the morning had slipped away. Kit had eaten her fill and was practically glowing with contentment as we headed back to the penthouse, a box of remaining treats clutched in her hands.

As we neared our building, Enzo cleared his throat. “Niles and my shift’s over. New guards should already be upstairs.”

I nodded, then took Beretta’s leash from Niles, who waved and headed for his car in the parking garage.

Kit smiled sweetly, just like always. “Thanks for coming with us this morning. And good luck with that pack. I hope it works out for you.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Enzo hesitated, then stepped closer to her. “I know your, uh, heat is coming,” he stammered. “So, if I don’t see you for a while, take care of yourself, alright?” He pulled her into a hug that lasted a beat too long, his nose dipping briefly toward her neck.

A growl rumbled from deep in my chest before I could stop it.

Enzo stepped back immediately, hands raised in surrender, a forced grin on his face. “Easy, man. Just saying bye to a friend.”

I didn’t laugh. Didn’t smile. Just stared him down, my arm sliding possessively around Kit’s waist.

“Right,” he muttered. “I’ll see you guys later.”

He turned to leave but looked back at Kit—eyes shadowed with something that might’ve been regret…

Sensing the tension rolling off of me, Kit pressed against my side, curling into me like she belonged there. And she fuckin’ did. Her warmth, her scent—it settled that raw, primal part of me that had risen to the surface. Then, to my surprise, she let out a soft, quiet purr.

I stilled, my heart skipping a whole fuckin’ beat.

Omegas rarely purred. It was something instinctual, something reserved for the deepest moments of comfort and connection. My chest tightened with emotion as I pressed a kiss against her hair, breathing her in.

“Let’s get you off the street and back upstairs where it’s safe,” I murmured against her temple.

As we walked into the building, leaving Enzo behind, I should have felt relieved. But the peace from our morning outing had dimmed, replaced by a gnawing unease.

My gut told me that Tommy was right—something was going on with Enzo. The way he looked at Kit tipped over the line fromfriendlytohungry.

And if Enzo thought I wouldn’t notice the way he scented my mate during that hug—well, he had another fucking thing coming.

I might be an asshole for suspecting my friend would make a move on my girl.

But if it kept Kit safe and happy, I’d be the biggest asshole alive.

twenty-five

KITANIA

They were bluffing.I could feel it.

I studied my cards, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the decent hand I’d been dealt. Across from me, Dimitri’s dark eyes gave nothing away—his face a mask of cold calculation, unreadable as ever. Tommy sat to my right, dimples flashing as he teased Marco about his pathetic poker face. And Gio lounged to my left, one arm slung across the back of my chair, radiating warmth and confidence, like he already knew how the hand would play out.

It was peaceful. Easy. A rare slice of normal.

Until it wasn’t—until something shifted.

A slow bloom of warmth curled low in my belly, subtle at first, soft enough I almost missed it.

“Your bet, kitten,” Dimitri prompted in that low rumble that usually made my stomach flutter. Today, it seemed to resonate deeper, vibrating through me in a way that felt different. New.More…

Shifting in my seat, I tossed a few chips into the center. “Call.”

Marco snorted, tapping his fingers against the table. “Bold move for someone holding garbage.”

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