Page 38 of Knot So Damaged

He writhes and struggles against the chains in an attempt to get away but Olis is relentless.

There is a reason why he is my Capo. He is brutal. His torture techniques are renowned in the Underworld. There has never been a person that he couldn’t crack.

I’ve seen powerful men piss themselves the moment he walked in the room. Men who have spilled every single one of their secrets without having to say a single word.

It’s fucking impressive.

Even more so when those same skills are being passed onto our sons. Namingly, Ledger. I have a strong feeling he is going to outdo his predecessor.

Abruptly, the screams die out and so do the flames bubbling his skin.

Cal walks over to where Olis is just standing, looking at the Alpha in confusion. He presses two fingers to a pulse point.

We wait for a moment before he steps away and shakes his head. “Couldn’t handle the heat.”

Cal predictably snorts at his pun. It's certainly not the first time he has made a joke like that and neither will it be the last. He seems to have a particular love for them when we are in more precarious situations.

It helps to brighten the mood in the room.

Cal doesn’t waste any more time with his jokes as he sends off a text to the clean-up crew. Either that or he is organizing clean-up with whoever needs to be pulled into line.

It was a particularly good way to discipline the boys when they got old enough to handle the horrors of this world.

He puts his phone back before pinning me with a look.

“It seems our little cherry pop has more than our attention. Good thing we decided to keep an eye on her.”

I nod, agreeing whole heartedly. “Me too. It still doesn’t ease my nerves though. I still hate the idea that she is in that house all alone with herpiccola.I want to have eyes on her every moment of the day.”

I run an exhausted hand over my face before looking back up at my brothers. There is a mischievous look on Cal’s face and I already know that whatever he is about to suggest will likely age me years.

“We could always kidnap her and hide her away in the house. No one would be able to get to her then.”

I quirk a brow at him as I mull over what he just said. For the first time in our lives, I think my twin just suggested something I am not completely opposed to.

Chapter Twelve

There is a strange anticipation built up in my stomach with each turn of the clock. I tried to busy myself with contracts for some of our bigger upcoming deals. When that didn’t work, I tried going down to train. Taking sexual frustration out on a new soldier in the form of my fists just didn’t quite hit right.

What I need is my little devil.

Watching her run away from me had my primal side screaming to chase after her. It was a good thing Olis held me back.

The idea of going into rut and hurting my girl that way is unthinkable. I don’t know if Olis and Vic have seen it but I can see her underlying trauma. It's unthinkable to me that she has suffered in her life. I want to take it all from her. To take that burden off her shoulders and wear it for her.

But I also want to dissect it. To learn every single thing I can about her. To know what makes her tick. To find my place in her life because there is no other option for me.

It's her or it's no one.

Sitting at my desk, I watch as each minute ticks by. Every second feels as though it is stretched out longer and longer.

After what feels like a lifetime of waiting, I shoot up from my desk. Pushing my responsibilities to the side, I instead go in search of the one thing that I know will make it better.

My Valentina.

Finding a car park on the street outside of Valley’s apartment, I walk along the path, keeping a close eye on the windows I know are hers.

Silently, I beg to get a glimpse of her even if it is just through the glass. One look will be enough. It has to be.