Page 216 of Knot So Lucky

The car drives off, tires squealing slightly as we merge into the night traffic, and my phone buzzes with a text.

I pull it out, reading the message:“Raves are where little Omegas burn.”

Clear proof the enemy knew we’d be there, but this only makes me smile further because now we know our stalker is determined to know everything we're doing, so all we have to do is set them up.

The words linger on the screen, a taunt that's supposed to unsettle me, but instead, it ignites a spark of satisfaction deep in my chest.

I glance at Aurora, her head lolling against my shoulder in exhaustion, her scent still clinging to me like a promise, and then at Luca, who's staring out the window with that brooding intensity of his, jaw set.

We've got an enemy who's watching our every move, close enough to know we'd hit the rave, close enough to pull a fire alarm or whatever the hell that was to flush us out. But that's their mistake—thinking they're the hunters when really, they're handing us the bait.

I hold out the phone, my mind already racing ahead.

"Luca," I say low, keeping my voice steady so as not to wake her. "This is our in. They're obsessed, tracking us real-time. We set a trap, make it look like we're vulnerable, draw them out."

He nods, eyes flicking to the text I show him, his gunpowder scent flaring with barely contained rage.

"Agreed. But we keep her safe. No risks with Aurora."

"Obviously," I reply, my arm tightening around her as she shifts in her sleep.

The possessive rage bubbles up, that familiar undercurrent that makes me want to tear apart anything that threatens what'smine. Only Adrian is left who needs an official bond mark, but we already know he’s all in on this.

The car speeds through the city lights, the night air cool against the windows, but inside, the tension is still simmering, a mix of satisfaction from what we just shared and the thrill of the hunt ahead.

Aurora murmurs something in her sleep, her body warm and trusting against mine, and I press a kiss to her temple, inhaling her scent. Yeah, we'll set them up alright—and when we do, it'll be on our terms, with fire and fury they won't see coming.

But for now, I let myself savor this—the quiet after the storm, the pack solidifying, the enemy revealing their hand.

It's not over, but it's starting, and I'm ready to play.

CHAPTER 42

Final Checks And Fatal Mistakes

~AURORA~

The garage is quiet at this hour.

Most of the team is in the briefing room going over strategy for today's race, leaving me alone with the prototype car and the particular peace that comes from being surrounded by machinery I understand completely.

I'm on my back underneath the chassis, running my hands along fuel lines and suspension components with the kind of obsessive attention to detail that's saved my life more than once. Every connection point, every bolt, every seal—checked and rechecked until I'm certain nothing has been tampered with.

The sabotage attempts have made me paranoid in the best possible way.

My phone sits on my chest, flashlight beam directed at the particular section I'm examining. The undercarriage smells like fresh oil and rubber, familiar and grounding in ways that calm the pre-race anxiety thrumming through my veins.

Just this race away from the grand prix.

One more competition before the championship finale that will determine everything we've been working toward.

The pressure should be overwhelming.

Instead, I feel focused. Ready. Like all the chaos and threats and complications have refined me into something harder than I was months ago.

"You planning to marry that car, or can I steal you for a moment?"

Adrian's voice makes me smile even before I roll out from under the chassis.