Chapter 29

twenty-nine

KITANIA

I squeezed Dimitri’s hand tight as he led me into an ornate Catholic church with Giovanni, Tommas, and Marco falling into step behind us.

Shafts of multicolored light streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dancing patterns of ruby, emerald, and sapphire across the polished, wooden pews. The air was thick with the scent of burning candles and the musky aroma of incense.

All eyes turned our way as Dimitri led me down the long aisle, his large hand enveloping mine protectively. Soft, mournful organ music reverberated through the vaulted ceilings, rising and falling like a somber tide. With every step, biblical scenes of angels and saints seemed to follow us.

I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes as we slid into the second row, facing the mahogany coffin at the front. Whispers rippled through the gathered crowd, and I shrank back instinctively, sidling into Dimitri, overwhelmed by the attention. Thankfully, my Alpha’s steady presence at my side was an anchor, grounding me.

I leaned in. “I’m starting to reconsider my decision. Maybe this was a bad idea after all. Are you sure it’s okay that I’m here?” I whispered as quietly as I could.

I felt like an intruder, a fraud. An outsider.

And yet, I’d practically begged them to allow me to come to Nick’s funeral. I needed to pay my respects. To apologize, even if it just ended up being a silent plea to the wooden deity hanging on the cross behind the pulpit.

Guilt was a fickle mistress. I hadn’t killed Nick, but his blood stained my hands, refusing to fade no matter how many times I tried to reason with myself.

Despite their hesitance to drag me into their world, I’d also known my men wanted me by their side on such an emotional day.

Still, it didn’t stop me from feeling judged by scrutinizing mamas with their daughters by their sides who gazed at my Alphas with longing in their eyes.

It was obvious my mates were sought after. Regardless of their dangerous lifestyle, they were wealthy, powerful, and so handsome that one look from them often had me squeezing my thighs together.

But beyond the curiosity and unveiled dislike of the women, were the hard, assessing looks from the men, who were sizing me up, trying to gauge whether or not I belonged.

From the few people I’d brought myself to make eye contact with, it was clear they found me lacking.

Dimitri turned his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against my ear. “You belong here, Kitten. You’re our Omega and this is our family,” he murmured, his grip tightening reassuringly. I let his warmth soak into me, hoping to borrow some of his strength as well.

Thankfully, no one could smell me or my distress thanks to the copious amount of scent-neutralizers I’d slathered on. It was the only way Dimitri would allow me out of the house. Still, I was sure I looked as uncomfortable as I felt.

“Don’t let them see your fear. They’ll eat that shit up.” Tommas took the seat on my other side, having rounded the pews to slide into our aisle from my left.

I blanched. “I don’t think you’re supposed to curse in a church.”

Tommas’ lazy smirk tugged at his lips. “The big guy and I have an understanding.”

“You and God?” I questioned skeptically.

That grin widened. “Nah. Me and Father Francis.”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Should I be worried about your soul?”

“Don’t worry, Kitten,” Dimitri purred from my other side, leaning in and sandwiching me between himself and his brother. “That’s what confession is for.”

“A couple ‘Hail Mary’s’ and some ‘Our Fathers’ and we’re good to go.”

I wasn’t sure that was exactly how it worked, but since I didn’t grow up in the faith, I refrained from questioning it. Especially because at that moment, a priest draped in black walked across the dais.

The tribute to Nick was beautiful, and when the service was over, my Alphas surrounded me as they led the way out back down the aisle.

A handful of older gentlemen in finely tailored suits caught my eye from the church balcony as we left. They stood conversing among themselves, almost as if they lorded over the gathering below. I looked away the moment one of them glanced in my direction, hoping they hadn’t seen me staring.

A sea of people milled about the steps as the crowd moved outdoors. Instantly, the air buzzed with hushed conversations. Curious glances were thrown our way as we passed by, and I quickly averted my gaze, letting the curtain of my dark hair shield me from the world.

We were nearly to the sleek black limo idling at the curb when a commanding voice rang out. “Dimitri, a moment, please.”

My mate stiffened almost imperceptibly at my side as a tall, imposing man strode purposefully toward us. He had salt-and-pepper hair and sharp, hawk-like eyes that seemed to miss nothing. An impeccably tailored black suit accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist. Gold rings glinted on his fingers and I caught a flash of the Rolex on his wrist as he clasped Dimitri on the shoulder.

I instantly recognized him as one of the men from the balcony, and despite their uncanny resemblance, I instinctively knew he was Dimitri’s father—Emilio Cristenello, leader of the Cristenello Mafia.

Power and authority radiated from him in waves, and I shifted, tucking myself partially behind Dimitri’s shoulder with his brothers at my back.

Emilio’s deep, resonant voice filled the space between us as he turned the full breadth of his attention to me. “And who might this lovely creature be?”

My Alpha’s hand tightened around my own, drawing me closer to his side. “Father, this is Kitania. Our Omega.” Pride and possessiveness laced his words, leaving no room for doubt as to his claim on me.

Equal parts elation and fear raced through me.

Emilio’s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. In the span of a heartbeat, it felt as though he knew everything there was to know about me— my deepest secrets, the worst of my sins, my hopes and dreams—and had judged me accordingly. I fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny, instead lifting my chin and meeting his gaze head-on. I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but after a moment that stretched into eternity, a slow smile spread across his weathered face.

“Welcome to the family, Kitania,” he said, reaching out to take my hand in his. His skin was warm and slightly rough, the calluses speaking of a life well-lived. He brought my knuckles to his lips in a genteel gesture that seemed at odds with his dangerous aura.

“Thank you, sir,” I managed to squeak out.

“May I have a word?” he addressed his son, suddenly all business.

Dimitri pressed a reassuring kiss to the back of my hand before releasing me and giving his brothers a pointed look. I watched as the two men moved to a more secluded spot near the church’s stone walls. Their resonant voices carried, though I wasn’t able to make out the words. Their tones changed, and I realized they were suddenly arguing.

“Don’t worry, Dolcezza,” Giovanni murmured, stepping up behind me until his warmth licked along my spine. “I’m sure they’re just talking business. The usual stuff.”

I nodded, but couldn’t quell the unease that twisted through my stomach.

After what felt like an eternity, Dimitri was back, ushering us into the car so we could head to the burial site.

“What was that about?” I gnawed on my lip, probably ruining my lipstick and making the skin raw.

Dimitri sighed, and suddenly, they were all tense and on edge.

“He wants us at dinner tonight.”

I gazed from one to the next, trying to figure out why that was such a bad thing.

“It’s a family dinner,” Tommas shoved his hand through his hair.

“Like… your dads? Your sister?” That didn’t sound so awful. As intimidating as it was, I had to meet them all at some point.

“Nah, Angel,” Marco corrected. “As in the whole damn family .”

Dimitri sighed and relented the rest. “And he wants you there.”

That unease in my stomach tripled, and I uttered the only thing I could since I was sure saying ‘no’ wasn’t an option. “Oh.”

I stayed in the car at the burial site, my heart pounding against my ribs as my nerves ran wild. The thought of facing the endless whispers and judging stares again made my palms sweat. I needed this moment to breathe, to gather whatever scraps of courage I could find before the impending family dinner.

Thankfully, the guys hadn’t minded that I chose to hang back. Despite all the scent-blockers I wore, along with the special panties, it was dangerous to be out in public as an unbonded Omega. While my men promised they’d protect me, I knew we’d all feel more comfortable when they officially claimed me. While we hadn’t had that conversation yet, I had zero doubt it was something they wanted. Their marks on my throat and the slight shift in my scent that would come with being bonded would make it far safer for me to be out in the world, but none of that would happen until I went into heat.

I shifted anxiously, triple checking the locks. Lonnie, who was also a Beta, was on bodyguard duty in the driver’s seat, and though his solid presence was reassuring, even with the privacy screen between us, I’d never be as comfortable with others as I was with my mates.

In the distance, I spotted Dimitri, Giovanni, Marco, and Tommas paying their respects to Nick’s family. Dimitri shook another Alpha’s hand while Tommy kissed a tearful woman’s cheek. Pain built in my throat as I swallowed hard, trying to hold in the emotions that flooded me. I picked at my nails, looking away abruptly.

Scanning the crowd, my gaze caught on a familiar figure standing alone at the back. Enzo. The sight of him, isolated from the mourners, tugged at something in my chest.

Nick had been one of his best friends. What was he doing all the way back here?

Before I could second-guess myself, I pushed open the car door. Lonnie was out in an instant, but I waved him off, nodding towards Enzo. Understanding dawned, and he took up position, leaning on a nearby tree, giving me space while continuing to keep watch.

I approached Enzo silently, the soft grass muffling my steps. His broad shoulders were taut, his posture tense and lethal. Something about the way he held himself told me that while he may look relatively calm on the outside, inside he was a tornado on the verge of being released. His eyes were thunderous, his hands curled into fists where they were shoved into his pockets. A smarter person would’ve kept their distance, but his pain was familiar, and his silent rage called to me.

Given that it was the man’s job to stay alert, I knew he sensed my presence before he ever saw me, but he barely turned his head as I came to stand beside him.

“Careful,” he warned. “Don’t get too close or your Alphas might actually castrate me this time.”

I winced and then flushed. “They would never…”

He arched a brow at me skeptically.

I took the smallest step to the side.

“I was kidding, princess.”

Relaxing marginally, I eyed him. “Why are you all the way back here?” The question was soft, my voice barely carrying over the somber murmur of the crowd.

Enzo’s jaw clenched. “Doesn’t feel right to be up there,” he muttered, his eyes fixed on the gathering around where Nick’s coffin would be lowered into the ground. “Not when it’s my fault that he’s in that box.”

My breath caught. “Enzo, no—”

“Save it. Please,” he cut me off roughly. “If I hadn’t gotten complacent in enemy territory, none of this shit would’ve happened…”

I shook my head as my own guilt bubbled to the surface. “This isn’t on you. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I’m the reason Dimitri sent you both out there in the first place.”

Enzo turned to me then, his dark eyes blazing. “Don’t you dare put that on yourself,” he growled. “Nick knew the risks. We all did. This life—” He broke off, running a hand through his hair. “It isn’t your fault, Kitania. You hear me?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Enzo’s words eased some of the weight on my chest, even as my heart ached for the pain I’d unwittingly caused.

A prickle of unease ran down my spine, and the fine hair on the back of my neck stood up. I rubbed my palm along my skin, trying to figure out why I felt… watched . It wasn’t the same feeling as the attention I’d received at the church earlier. This time it was more sinister, setting off all my internal alarm bells.

The slightest charred scent wafted on the breeze, and I fucking froze. My gaze darted around, scanning the edges of the cemetery, looking for him .

It wasn’t possible. It couldn’t be.

And yet… I inhaled again, and the instinctual fear that always emerged when he clomped down the basement stairs nearly bowled me over.

There —a dark figure lurking in the shadows of a mausoleum. My breath hitched.

“Enzo.” The word was strangled, panic clawing at my throat.

His attention snapped to me sharply, but I couldn’t look at him. Couldn’t tear my eyes from the man looming in the distance. Blessedly, Enzo followed my line of sight.

“I think I see—”

But he was already moving. “Go,” he barked, his voice low and urgent. “Find Dimitri. Now.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. Lonnie took off after Enzo while I ran for my mates. Terror nipped at my heels like a rabid dog as I hurried across the grass, my heart hammering. I twisted and turned through the crowd, thankful that my small stature let me slip through narrow spaces as fluidly as water. Dimitri’s tall form stood out among the throng, and I made a beeline for him.

“Dimitri,” I gasped as I reached him, grabbing his arm, my nails like sharp talons digging into his forearm. “It’s Rocco.” I didn’t hesitate or fumble over the words, because for once in my life, I wasn’t going to question my instincts.

The man may have stood far away, but every fiber of my being knew it was him.

Dimitri’s eyes sharpened, his entire demeanor shifting in an instant. He barked out orders to his brothers, and suddenly I was surrounded by a protective wall of Alphas.

“Where?” he demanded as we moved swiftly toward the car.

I pointed to the spot where I’d seen the figure, but he was gone now. Doubt crept in. “Enzo and Lonnie went after him. I... I’m sure it was him. Maybe I imagined—”

My voice faltered as we reached the vehicle.

There, on the windshield, tucked into a wiper blade, was a note. Scrawled across the white paper in what looked horribly like blood were the words: “Remember who you belong to, pet. If we can’t have you, no one will.”