Knot So Broken: A Dark Mafia Omegaverse

8. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

T he property we pull up to reminds me of a vampire's mansion.

Everything is black.

It's the ultimate goth’s dream.

I like it.

Pebbles crunch under the tires of the SUV as we make our way up the curved driveway. I take in every detail of the Manor. At least it feels like a manor to me. Calling it a mansion doesn’t feel like it does it justice.

Intricate metal trim lines the roof, with smaller designs frame the windows giving it a Victorian Era feel.

Theo pulls up in front of a grand staircase that leads to an even grander front door. Each new place I look, I seem to find a new detail. Another difference in trim design. A new slope that elongates the Manor .

“Welcome to Duran Manor, beautiful,” Theo says as he walks up behind me. Damn, I didn’t even realize I had gotten out of the car in the first place.

“What do you think?” Ledger asks as he comes to stand beside me, placing his hand on the small of my back.

“It's… I… have no words.”

I’ve never really taken much interest in things like architecture before. Books are where I have found my home. Immersing myself into a fiction world to escape reality. At least the hurt in books doesn’t leave physical scars.

Ledger puts a bit of pressure on my back and leads me up the steps to the front entrance.

If I thought the outside of the house was something to gawk at, it has nothing on the inside of the house.

The dark gothic theme carries through the interior of the house. We step into a grand foyer. A staircase leading up to the second level is the centrepiece to the room. A chandelier that looks as big as a small car hangs from the ceiling. The crystals reflect around the room from the sun shining through a window above the doorway. It's beautiful and completely unlike anything I have ever seen before.

Ledger leads us to the left into a living room. A chandelier similar to the one in the foyer - just in a much smaller scale - hangs from the ceiling. Three black sofas surround a mahogany coffee table. Compared to my father’s one in his office, I know that this one is real, not some cheap knock-off. The entire room screams comfort.

I feel like I come to life at the sight before me. That before me is everything I have ever wished for. Not only does the room smell like a mixture of Theo, Ledger and Jax; I feel safe. Like I would be able to be what my designation demands of me here. To be able to nest for the first time since Emerging.

I stare at the couch covered in soft blankets and pillows long enough that one of the guys clears their throat in an attempt to get my attention.

But I have a one-track mind and it is screaming at me to do one thing, and one thing only. I make a direct beeline for the couch. Jumping, I land on the soft cushion that immediately swallows up my body. I giggle as I collect the blankets and pillows, making this little nest as comfortable as I can.

Once fully satisfied, I look up at the Alphas standing in front of me. The realisation of what I had just done to their couch dawns on me.

Before I get a chance to utter my embarrassment, Jax snorts, “That was the cutest fucking thing I have ever witnessed, Little Omega.”

He takes a step closer and looks down at the space beside the miniature nest I built. Without him having to say a word, I already know what he is asking: if he can sit beside me, or more to the point, beside my nest.

The intention sends a warm feeling through my system.

I give him a small nod and in turn, he graces me with a smile. One that truly melts my insides this time.

Eventually, both Ledger and Theo sit on the other chairs surrounding us. Both of the men have looks on their faces that I can’t quite decipher.

Everyone is silent for a moment. My tongue feels heavy in my mouth as reality sets back in completely .

I made a nest on the Alpha’s couch after only knowing them for what is hardly considered a day. Not once since I have become an Omega has it even been an option for me to do so.

Scratchy blankets have been my only offered material. Over the years I’ve just gotten used to the feeling.

I wouldn’t dare ask my father for anything else. He doesn’t understand the raw need inside of me that demands that I nest. A need that I have no control over. There's no doubt that he would make me suffer for even thinking about wanting something. I have been there and done that. Came out the other side with scars to prove it. What he decides to give me is plenty. Even then, he pushes the point of how generous he is being. Which I know is not at all.

Jax breaks the silence by clearing his throat. I look up at him as he gives me a reassuring smile.

“Care to fill us in on what you said before, Little Omega?”

A part of me preens at the nickname. The other part starts to sweat.

Fuck, how could I forget? Blurting out that ‘he’ was going to kill me.

I bite my lip as I look up at my new mate.

“Um, where do you want me to start?”

Theo leans forward, resting his arms on his knees. He looks directly into my eyes, keeping my attention solely on him.

“I want to know where you got those bruises from.”

His voice leaves no room for play time. Theo’s eyes are hard as he looks directly into my soul. Like he wishes he could pluck the memories from my brain instead of having to wait for me to tell him.

I blow out a hard breath and sink in on myself.

Fuck, how do I tell them my truth ?

There's no way they will let me leave this room without it.

I want to give it to them. But how?

They will be the first people to know the truth about my life. About what really goes on behind closed doors.

I’m sure some of my father’s men suspect it, but they clearly don’t care. I know that Derrick doesn’t. He has had the fortune of having front row seats a few times. Not once has he, or anyone, stood up for me when they have seen my black eyes and arms mottled in bruises.

My arms wrap themselves around my waist and I force myself not to wince as I touch my broken rib.

I keep my head low as I take a breath, trying to steel myself.

I will not cry.

“My father.”

Even though my voice was barely a whisper, they all heard me loud and clear. I feel Jax stiffen beside me. From the corner of my eye, I can see his hands have a blanket clutched between them.

Still with my head lowered, I look at both Theo and Ledger who are having similar reactions.

“How often does he hurt you, Kennedy?” Ledger’s voice growls through the silent room. The noise sends a shiver down my body. I swallow roughly before replying. “Everyday.”

Rumbles sound from each of the Alpha’s chests.

I instantly bunker down into my little makeshift nest, unable to hide the way my body trembles as I curl in as tight as I can.

My ribs scream at me but the fear overrules the pain.

Arms gently curl around my body before they tighten and lift me up into an embrace. I look up to find Jax .

His eyes are wild as they flick between my own. His orbs are almost completely black as he stares down at me. His hands tighten where they hold my body. “You will never go back to that house. Do you understand me, Omega?” I nod straight away, unable to fight the bark. It's clear that Jax’s Alpha side is riding him hard at the revelation but I can’t help but admit to myself that I would have agreed even without the demand.

I hear shuffling beside us and turn my head to see Ledger kneeling before us. “No one will ever hurt you again, Little Omega. You are a gift. One we all agree that deserves to be protected.”

Theo takes a step up beside Ledger. I bend my head to look up at him. “We will protect you, love. Never again will you suffer pain. Not in this lifetime and not in the next.” His demand is clear. I feel the words from the three Alphas echo through my entire being.

The words punch through my stomach harder than any blow. Could this be what I have wished for? What I thought was once just a ridiculous dream?