Chapter 43

forty-three

GIOVANNI

“It’s too risky,” Kit said, her small hands propped on her hips, as if the stance would help her appear bigger, more intimidating. “What if the Valentinos don’t fall for it? What if they know it’s a trap? What if they attack here, at the penthouse, while you’re gone?”

Her ice-blue eyes flicked from one brother to the next, landing on me last. The overwhelming concern in her gaze gripped me, squeezed my heart until it ached. Fuck, I hated seeing her like this—so afraid, so vulnerable.

“What if you...” She hesitated, her voice growing smaller, more fragile. “What if you get hurt? I can’t bear that.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. I studied her, wanting to reach out, to pull her into my arms and tell her everything would be alright. But I knew this plan was necessary. The Valentinos had pushed us all too far, had tried to kill my mate, and it was time to strike back. Yet my Omega’s fear for our safety made me pause, made me doubt, made my heart clench with something uncomfortably close to guilt.

Marco spoke first, ever the pragmatist. “Angel, we know it’s risky, but we’ve done all we can to ensure this plan works. We’ve spread the word and created buzz about this new shipment. The Valentinos will know it’s the biggest shipment we’ve had all year. And to make it even more believable, we’re bringing in a friend who owes us a favor. He’s an arms dealer, which only adds validity to the ruse.”

“No one but us, our fathers, and the inner circle know this is a set-up,” Dimitri added, trying to reassure her. “All the lower level family members truly believe we’re branching out beyond high-value counterfeits. That we’re moving in on a piece of the market the Valentino’s have dominated until now. We’ve done our best to think of everything. To cover every angle. We’ve arranged extra security at the penthouse, and given how deep into our territory it sits, they’d have a death wish to try and hit us here.”

“We’re much more accessible at the docks,” I reasoned, “which is another reason they’ll fall for it. Not only are we directly moving in on their business, but part of the rumor we spread is that this shipment is crucial to our bottom line.”

“They’ll show, and while they’re trying to undermine us, you’ll be safe here, at home,” Dimitri promised. “I’ve got Enzo and Lonnie on guard outside the door and a dozen of our best guys on security around the building. We won’t let them get near you, and we won’t let them hurt us, either.”

“But if your best enforcers are here , who will be protecting you ? Watching your backs?” Her lip jutted out, nearly trembling.

Tommy prowled forward, tipping her chin upward, guiding her glistening eyes to meet his. “You sayin’ you don’t think we can protect ourselves, Butterfly? Because I take offense to that,” he teased, but it fell flat.

“I-I’m worried,” she admitted.

Kit shifted, her slender frame almost bird-like in its fragility. The uncertainty in her gaze didn’t fade. I could see she wanted to believe us, needed to believe us if she was going to let us walk out that door tomorrow, but the fear had dug in too deep.

Dimitri stepped toward her, running a calming hand down her hair, giving her the physical contact I knew she craved. Especially now, feeling so unsettled. “Yes, this is about taking them down. But more importantly, this is about making sure you’re safe once and for all. You deserve a future, Kitten. One where you won’t have to be constantly looking over your shoulder. Constantly afraid. We’ll be fine. I promise you, nothing will happen to us.”

Despite our reassurances, I knew our girl wasn’t convinced. She was trying to stay strong, but her cracks were showing. I could see the toll this was taking on her, the sheer exhaustion living in constant fear had taken on her.

The moment she realized she wouldn’t be able to stop us, her shoulders slumped just a little, her lips pressing together in silent frustration.

Without a word, Kit stood. “I need some space,” she muttered hollowly.

I shoved a hand over my buzzed hair, wishing I could fix this. Instead, I watched her as she moved away; her steps slow and reluctant, like a prisoner walking back to her cell. Pausing at the entrance to the ensuite, she looked over her shoulder for the briefest of moments, then slipped inside, closing us out. A few seconds later, the gentle rush of water filled the air.

“She’ll be alright,” Dimitri stated, breaking the silence, but there was a faint hint of uncertainty in his words.

After a long minute, I tore my gaze from the door that stood between me and my Omega and glanced at my older brother. Dimitri stroked a hand over his shadow-covered jaw, a gesture that betrayed the worry he usually kept so well hidden.

“Will she?” I challenged, though I already knew the answer. Kitania was stronger than she appeared, but even the strongest could break under enough pressure.

And my Omega had been through more in one lifetime than anyone should have to endure.

“She’s scared. I understand that. But things will only get better if the Valentinos are dealt with. It’s worth the risk.” It was almost as if he were trying to convince himself.

And fuck. I wanted to believe it too. That we were doing the right thing. We knew how to handle ourselves. We’d never shied away from threats in the past. But we also hadn’t had an Omega before. Kit changed things. Made us re-evaluate the danger we so willingly walked into.

If anything happened to us, it could literally kill her—such was the connection between scent matched mates. And that possibility only increased once we marked her and sealed our bond. Either way, bonded or not, the risk for Omegas was great. If they lost their Alphas, they’d never survive it.

The weight of it sat like lead in my stomach.

But until the Valentinos were dealt with, they’d always be out there, haunting her, lurking around every corner and in every fucking shadow. She’d never truly be free.

That in and of itself made this plan worth taking a chance on.

She had to understand. I hoped some time to breathe and think it through would help her see why we had to do this.

It was for her. All of it was for her.

But goddamn, I hated seeing her upset—scared and uncertain. I couldn’t stand the idea of her in the shower, worrying all alone.

I hesitated, wondering if she’d mind my intrusion on her privacy, before resolve chased away my doubt and I went after her.

“Gio—” Dimitri warned.

“My Alpha needs this, D.”

Sighing, he nodded. Just once.

The mirror was already fogged when I entered the bathroom. Steam swirled through the air, creating ghostly tendrils that clung to the walls. Beyond the mottled glass, Kit’s blurred form stood under the spray of the shower, her silhouette soft and delicate. Her arms were wrapped around herself as though she were trying to keep from falling apart. If that wasn’t enough of a tell, that earthy moonflower scent of hers that I loved had turned bitter at the edges—the floral notes almost too sharp, the earthen hints more musty than fresh.

Seeing her like this, witnessing her distress, had my chest tightening all over again.

Without a word, I stripped and stepped into the shower, joining her in the steamy heat. My hands went gently to her shoulders, and my mate leaned back, pressing into my warmth and strength.

At least she wasn’t pushing me away.

For a long, quiet stretch of time, neither of us spoke. Instead, I grabbed the soap and began washing her body. Each stroke was slow and deliberate, focused solely on caring for my woman and not on the lust I always felt when she was near. Kit remained tense at first, but relaxed almost instantly as I massaged the muscles in her shoulders and back. My thumbs made broad sweeps, increasing the pressure with each pass, kneading all the tender spots.

Her groan of relief was fucking music to my ears.

Reaching for the shampoo, I massaged it into her scalp, keeping my fingers gentle but firm. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and the remnants of tension bled away. I helped her rinse, condition, and rinse again before wrapping my arms around her waist, resting my chin on the crown of her head.

“We’re going to be fine, Dolcezza,” I whispered. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. To keep you with us. For-fucking-ever.”

Slowly, my Omega turned toward me, water dripping down her cheeks, mixing with her emotions. Her dark hair clung to the curves of her face and the slope of her neck, cascading down her back like an onyx waterfall.

She peered up at me, her voice soft but resolute, her confession utterly raw. “I love you, Giovanni. I can’t lose you. Any of you.”

Her declaration struck me as intensely as a bolt of lightning. I swear my heart fucking stopped before jolting back to life, somehow soaring and free-falling all at once. How long had I waited to hear those words from her pretty little mouth? They sank into my bones, grounding me. She was ours. Mine . And I’d die before I let anything happen to her.

I swallowed hard, my throat bobbing. “I love you too, sweetness. So damn much it hurts.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, I leaned down and kissed her softly, cradling her face in my hands, pulling her flush.

“Goddamn, that feels good to say,” I murmured against her lips. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

“Gio,” she gasped, but I was already stealing another kiss, deeper and more intense, as though I could freeze time, hold her here in this moment, shield her from the world and the hard shit that was to come.

Right then, nothing else existed but the two of us. Not the heartbreak of the past or the stress about what tomorrow might hold.

We broke apart slowly, reluctantly.

“Please be careful tomorrow,” she whispered, barely audible over the shower’s steady stream.

I hugged her closer, kissing her forehead, then the tip of her nose. “We’re going to be fine. This isn’t our first battle, and it won’t be the last, but I have extra incentive to fight like hell to come home each and every time.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how dangerous your life can be. I can’t… I can’t live without you, Gio.”

“Dolcezza,” I rasped hoarsely. “Don’t you know? There’s nothing in this world that could keep us apart. I’d raise hell or lower heaven to be with you, sweetness.”

Tears leaked from her eyes, leaving wet trails down the apples of her cheeks. I kissed each one away, murmuring sweet nothings in between, trying to soothe the raw ache I could practically feel.

Turning off the water and reaching for a towel, I dried her off gently, starting with her hair, then her arms, working my way thoroughly down her body. Kit’s gaze was soft and full of love as she watched me, allowing me and my Alpha instincts this moment to take care of her, to make things right.

I was sure my brothers were pacing beyond the door, but like the greedy bastard I was, I didn’t rush, savoring this quiet intimacy that was just for us.

Once she was dry, I quickly toweled off while she took time to gather her damp hair into a messy bun on top of her head. I watched in amusement as she stole my shirt and pulled it on. The fabric swam on her. Hitting mid thigh, it fit more like a dress. But I loved it. Loved that she was surrounded by my scent. There was something hot and primal about knowing my signature was on her skin.

I tugged on a pair of boxers, and when we were done, I swept Kit into my arms, carrying her bridal-style out of the bathroom like the precious fucking bundle she was.

My brothers all jumped to attention from where they were impatiently waiting: Dimitri by the window, arm propped on the wall as he stared into the night, Marco lounging on the bed, his fingers tapping his thigh, betraying his restless anxiety, and Tommy flicking one of his many knives open and closed while he sat on the plush accent chair, elbows planted on his knees while he leaned forward, absently studying the floor.

But the moment we stepped back into the room, they bolted to attention, their combined gazes roving over the Omega nestled in my arms.

Her skin was warm and rosy, her eyes sparkling from the tears she’d shed, and there were a few strands of damp hair curling free from her updo to frame her beautiful face.

“You ready for bed, Angel?” Marco asked, patting the spot next to him on the massive mattress.

Silently contemplative, Kit bit her lip. “Can we... Can we spend the night in my nest?”

I froze in my tracks, her question catching me completely off guard.

She wants her nest.

This was her first time asking for it. Hell, it was her first time even acknowledging it as hers.

As the significance of her request sank in, my throat tightened, and I nodded in silent approval.

“Of course you can.” Dimitri lent a voice to what I couldn’t put into words.

“And you’ll all stay in there with me?” she asked, like there was even a remote possibility we wouldn’t.

The earth would have to be burning, and even then, I wasn’t sure it would be enough to pull me away.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead, reassuring her, soft yet firm. “Of course, sweetness.”

Not wasting another second, I shifted direction and headed for the door that led to the nest. I had to duck inside, taking the narrow hallway until a wide, circular room opened around us. The entire floor was a plush, cushioned mattress—a custom piece that had been designed for this space. The walls were domed and pre-set with hooks for draping fabric and stringing of lights. Ringing the edge of the room, tailor-made lighting had been installed. It was dimmable and changed colors so our Omega could choose what she liked best, depending on her mood.

There was a mini fridge built into the wall, so we wouldn’t have to leave as often for food and water. And off to one side was a padded bench seat for those moments during her heat when we required rest.

Though the space was warm and inviting, the entire nest was a work in progress, waiting for Kit’s personalizations. Like the Omega suite, it was a blank canvas, and while that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, I worried it wouldn’t measure up for tonight.

The only things of hers in here were some of the blankets and pillows she’d picked out at the nesting store. It needed… more. More color. More life. More of her .

As though she’d been holding her breath, air whooshed past her lips in a rush. She wiggled in my arms until I set her down.

“This is—”

“We’re gonna fix it, Butterfly. We’ve got catalogs for you to go through to personalize the ceiling and the walls with your color and fabric choices,” Tommy cut in.

“You can even choose custom sheets and shit,” Marco added. “And we’ve got an entire book of lighting options, from string lights to fuckin’ disco balls.”

Kit snorted. “Disco balls?”

Marco shrugged. “Don’t most women like sparkling, shiny things?”

“Yes. Jewelry. Not necessarily disco balls,” she teased, on the verge of a giggle.

And fuck , it was good to see her happy again.

“What my brothers are trying to say is that we’ll fix the nest, Kitten,” Dimitri stated. “Make it everything you like.”

Kit turned, shaking her head in exasperation. “Are you crazy?”

All of us froze.

Her voice wavered once more. “It’s perfect.”

“No.” D shook his head. “It’s not. But it will be.”

“Alphas,” our mate muttered to herself, but her curved lips betrayed her delight.

Whipping back around, she released the most adorable little ‘squee’ and practically dove for the pile of blankets. For the next half an hour, Kit did what came naturally and nested, placing each throw and pillow exactly where she wanted them. Then she demanded some of our clothing from our hampers, insisting it all had to smell like us.

She tucked our things around the nest until she was satisfied, then curled up in the middle of the room, snuggling under a blanket and gazing back at us expectantly.

I chuckled, low and deep. “You ready for us, Dolcezza?”

“More than ready,” she promised.

Beating my brothers to her, I settled against my mate’s side. The nest felt warmer and more intimate now, and I wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her closer, enjoying the feel of her small, soft body against mine. She curled up as Dimitri stole her other side. Tommy lounged at her head and Marco took the spot near her feet. There was more than enough room for us all to lie side by side, but I understood the sheer fucking need to touch her, and we arranged ourselves accordingly.

Kit sighed happily, relaxing into the soft mattress below. A sense of peace washed over me. Nothing had ever felt so goddamn right .

I traced lazy patterns on her stomach while Dimitri, propped up on his elbow, gazed down at our mate while he trailed his fingers up and down her arm. Tommy played with her hair, and Marco’s hands snuck under the blankets to massage the soles of her feet.

Kit’s lashes instantly fluttered closed and a pleased groan slipped from her throat. Slowly, her breathing evened out and her tension unwound, her body melting into pure relaxation as she dozed off.

“I still don’t like it,” she murmured sleepily, never once opening her eyes, “But thank you... for keeping me safe. For loving me.”

This woman…

I couldn’t stop myself from leaning in and ghosting a kiss over her brow. “Always, sweetness. Fuckin’ always.”