Page 246 of Ruthless Knot

"Don't what?"

"Whatever you're thinking right now." His dark gold eyes meet mine, and there's something almost fierce in them. "That you don't belong here. That you don't deserve this. Whatever story you're telling yourself—stop."

How did he?—

How does he know?—

"You're here," he continues, "because you need a costume. Because your old ones burned. Because in three days, you're going to walk onto a stage and show Violet Martinez exactly what an Eastman Omega is capable of. And you're going to do it looking like the fucking masterpiece you are."

The words land like blows.

Fierce.

Certain.

Coming from the man who should, by all rights, want me to fail.

A giggle escapes.

Hysterical.

Completely inappropriate.

I clap my hand over my mouth, feeling the familiar burn of embarrassment that follows my uncontrolled outbursts.

But Kai doesn't flinch.

Doesn't look at me like I'm broken or strange or too much to handle.

He just waits.

Patient.

Like he has all the time in the world for my chaos.

"Sorry," I manage, lowering my hand. "I just... this is a lot."

"I know."

An attendant appears—materializing from somewhere in the depths of the boutique like she's been summoned by an invisible signal. She's elegant, professional, dressed in understated black that marks her as staff rather than customer. Her smile is warm but practiced, the expression of someone who's dealt with wealthy clients and their peculiarities for years.

"Mr. Lawson," she greets, inclining her head. "How may we assist you today?"

Kai's hand releases mine.

He steps forward, and something shifts in his posture—the casual authority he always carries sharpening into something more pointed. More commanding.

"My Omega needs a performance costume," he says, and the wordsmy Omegado something complicated to my chest. "She has an audition in three days. Important one. She needs to look perfect."

The attendant's eyes flick to me.

Assessing.

Cataloguing.

I can practically see her brain working—taking in my measurements, my coloring, my general aesthetic. Probably already thinking of pieces that might work.

"Give her anything she wants," Kai continues. "Doesn't matter what it costs. Don't waste time unless it's for perfection."