Page 3 of Knot Letting Go (Knotty Streak Omegaverse #4)

Five-thirty in the morning, and this fucking screen was burning holes in my eyes.

Yet there was always business to do and now a replacement nanny needed to be found.

I'd been sure that Paula was right for Lillianna when I hired her, but I’d been blind to the fact that the woman just wanted a way to meet a wealthy husband.

She’d been flirting with an international banker when I’d noticed my daughter was missing from the reception.

I was more angry at myself than Paula. I’d been entertaining a few important guests, healing wounds my father had made, and should have been celebrating with my family. Lillianna should have been by my side smiling and laughing, instead of crying behind a chair.

When my wife passed away, Lillianna was two, and I’d promised myself to be more of a present father.

There was a short period of time in Italy where I did so.

They were the happiest months of my life.

Yet when the Birk family business fell on the shoulders of my brother Quillon and I, I quickly lost myself to work again.

The door to my office swung open. Speak of the devil.

Quill strode over and leaned on the back of the chair in front of my desk. He wore a silk robe, and it seemed only the robe. “Hey. Calli’s getting ready to leave in a few.”

I rubbed my eyes. My sister was younger than me by ten years, and the two of us had never really gotten a chance to know one another.

She was just slightly less than a stranger to me.

Quill was between us in age and got along with her well, but it seemed one day I had a baby sister and the next she was getting married with a daughter of her own.

Lillianna adored her aunt, and I was glad we lived close to them now for her sake, but I couldn’t get over the feeling that interactions with my sister were like dealing with a business partner. Family was a difficult concept for me. “Are they in the front foyer?”

“All the luggage is being brought down and loaded.” Quill nodded. He yawned and stretched, eyeing the liquor cabinet.

“Alright.” I stood and shook my head. While he must be thinking of having a drink, I knew he wouldn’t. He’d been dry for over a year now. A fact I was thankful for since he’d been running himself into the ground in Europe. “Are you going to put on any clothes?”

“I’m wearing clothes.” He huffed and motioned to his robe. Then he gave me a skeptical look. “What sane person puts on a suit at this hour of the morning?”

Me. I rarely left my room without wearing one these days. I rolled my eyes and exited my office, heading down to the front of the house which was buzzing with activity.

Several servants were rushing back and forth carrying suitcases and bags and bringing them out front to awaiting cars. My sister, our mother, and her friends were chatting, hugging, and kissing babies. I let the women have a moment and went instead to my new brother-in-laws.

Talis was the first to shake my hand. Of Callista’s three mates, he was the one I connected to the most. “Thanks for having the wedding here. Everything was perfect down to the last detail.”

“You have Callista to thank for that. I was just part of the scenery.”

“You’re more than that.” Evander smiled and nodded as he took my hand next. “You and Quill are our brothers now too. Anything either of you need, just ask. We’re family.”

Family. So many times over the past few weeks, I have had to face that idea.

Family to me had always been manipulative, self-centered, and even dangerous.

My wife’s family had ties to the mafia and were no better than my father.

In fact, they’d done business together, and I was still trying to sever all ties not only our businesses but our family had to them, but they were resisting.

They arranged for me to marry Giovanna, Lillianna’s mother.

While Giovanna was an Omega, we weren’t compatible, but for the sake of family, we married.

It was family that had gotten her killed.

Giovanna, her mother, and sisters were all gunned down by her father’s rivals in reprisal for some ridiculous slight.

I was only thankful Lillianna had not been there that day.

“Of course we’re family.” Quill grinned as he stepped in to hug both of the other Alphas. “You’re welcome here anytime. God knows that I need some brothers to party with while stuck in the house with an uptight boss.”

I clenched my jaw. That was Quill’s way, to make a joke of things. We were equal partners, and he knew it.

“Once we’re back from the honeymoon, we hope to see a lot of you. Family barbecues every weekend.” Levi joined the group, shaking my hand and accepting a hug from Quill. “We want to see lots of our adorable flower girl. Is Lilli coming down to say good-bye this morning?”

“Lillianna is still sleeping. She was up late last night and it’s best if she sleeps in today.” I also didn’t want my daughter upset thinking that her aunt, cousin, and new uncles were leaving. She worried too much for a five-year-old about people going away and never coming back.

Quill continued to talk with them as I moved on to say my good-byes to the mates of Callista’s friends.

Despite the fact I knew Kienna could be trouble, they had all been respectful.

Even my cousin had been well behaved, or, as more likely was the case, I didn’t know what mischief she had caused yet.

I finally made my way toward the women and stood patiently until Callista came to me. “Thank you so much, Kon. I had my dream wedding, and I’m so glad you were a part of it.”

“I’m happy it went well.” I tried not to stiffen when she hugged me. “Do you have everything you need? If you’ve forgotten anything and need it for your trip, just let us know.”

“Always the quintessential host.” She smiled. “We’ll have to get together soon after we get back.”

“Quill and your mates are already making plans for weekly barbecues.”

Callista laughed. “Always with the barbecues. Those guys know what they like.” Her expression grew more sincere. “I meant you and I. I want to get to know my oldest brother.”

“Of course. We’ll schedule something.” Part of me was pleased she wanted to spend time with me, but my internal defenses went up at the same time.

Our mother approached with Isabella in her arms. The baby cooed and reached for Callista who took her from her grandmother. “Say good-bye to your uncle Konstantin, sweetie.”

I leaned in and kissed my niece’s soft head. She looked so much like Lillianna when she was a baby. The Birk family genes ran strong in our family. She grabbed my collar and made a sound like a chirp. “Good-bye, Isabella. Have a safe journey and let your mother get some sleep.”

“I can’t believe this little angel seems to like you more than me.” Quill pushed in and nabbed the baby away from Callista. He covered her face with kisses but only got spit up on for his effort.

As Callista and Quill laughed, trying to clean him up, our mother patted me on my arm. “I’m going to head out too. I wasn’t expecting to get up so early, but all the activity woke me. I’m not used to the manor being so full of life.”

None of us were. I would be happy when all the guests went home and the quiet returned. My mother lived in the family townhouse in Seattle, preferring city life to the more subdued existence on the estate.

“It was good to see you, Mom.” It was strange to see her free from my father’s cruel reign.

She’d always disappeared into his shadow, and I don’t remember her being a part of my life growing up except as his mouthpiece when he wasn’t there.

Mom had changed since his death and seemed to get along well with Callista, and more so, she had enthusiastically taken on the role as grandmother.

My internal heels dug in, not trusting any of it, even though I knew I should give her a chance.

She was a victim of his machinations as much as the rest of us.

“We should get together sometime…”

My mother’s voice trailed off as Quill swept in and hugged her so hard, he lifted her off her feet. “Mama! You’re going back to the city already? We’re still on for Andaluca on Tuesday, right? It’s been years since I’ve been to the restaurant.”

I left them to chat, their conversation fading behind me as I moved to say farewell to Callista’s friends. Particularly to her one friend. Every one of my senses was suddenly hyper aware of the only unclaimed Omega in the group.

Fuck, Aubrielle was beautiful. Her dark honey blonde hair hung loose this morning framing her heart shaped face. I wanted to comb my fingers through it, grab a handful, and yank her hard against me.

I was jerked out of my trance by my cousin.

“It was a fantastic party, cuz.” Kienna grinned and handed an infant back to her redheaded friend. She then threw her arms around my torso and squeezed me. I tried not to flinch. “You’ve got to come to Winnipeg some time, and I’ll show you a Canadian camel.”

A what? It sounded dirty. I lightly patted her back. “It was good to see you too, Kienna.”

“I’d hug you, too, but you know.” Nicolette smiled and nodded toward the baby. “Thank you for having us in your home.”

“You’re welcome. I’m just happy that Callista’s wedding day went so well.” My gaze slid back to the final bride’s maid. Aubrielle.

She stared everywhere but at me. Her eyes fluttered and her breathing quickened. Aubrielle had been the quietest in the group of friends, and I’d only heard a few words from her, but that angelic voice was divine. Soft, sweet, and incredibly feminine.

“Oh!” Callista hurried back to her friends and stepped in between Aubrielle and I. I almost growled at her until she slipped an arm around her friend and tugged her forward. “Kon, I have the solution to your nanny problem. Aubrielle is looking for a job, and she’s fantastic with kids.”

Aubrielle’s face flushed crimson as her mouth formed a surprised ‘o.’

Kienna jumped on board too, nodding vigorously. “Yes! Aubrie is perfect. She and Lilli already became friends. Plus she’s finishing off her early childhood education degree. I know you’ll want to see her resumé, and we’re her references.”

“She’s ideal. She’s young, so she has the energy to keep up with a child, and she’s an Omega. It’s important for Omegas to have other supportive Omegas around,” Nicolette added, bouncing her baby who started to fuss.

Aubrielle. As my daughter’s nanny. Having such a delicious Omega in my home… No, she’d be a distraction.

When I didn’t reply immediately, Aubrielle bowed her head and nudged my sister. “Please, you don’t have to do this. It’s not proper. I can find a job myself.”

Not proper. Holy hell. A hundred not proper thoughts zipped through my head.

“You’ve been looking for over a year now. This is perfect for you.” Kienna bobbed enthusiastically with her words.

“Plus, I admit, it’s a bit selfish of me, but I want you near me.

Being a new mom is terrifying at times. Knowing you’re close and you can help me, I would be so grateful.

” Callista held Aurbrielle’s hand in hers as Isabella gazed up at them both.

She looked at me. “Aubrielle is incredibly reliable. She has been the truest friend over the years.”

While Aubrielle had been protesting before, she now hesitated and glanced my way.

Those gorgeous eyes. I could lose myself in them, drowning in their shimmering depths.

If she lived in my house… I had to concentrate on righting my father’s wrongs.

There was so much work to do. I had to rebuild the family company and make it a legacy for Lilianna.

Securing a future for my daughter was my number one priority…

And if that was the case, having a qualified nanny was vital to Lillianna’s well-being as well.

“Can you start immediately?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

All the girls stopped and turned to look at me as if I hadn’t even been part of the conversation. A big smile bloomed on Callista’s face and Kienna let out a joyful squeal. The noise made Nicolette’s infant start wailing and one of her mates hurried over to help her with him.

Aubrielle stood, frozen like a Renaissance statue of a goddess. When Callista and Kienna hugged her, she glanced at each of them. Only then did she nod and say yes. The single word was so soft and trembling, I barely heard it, but it was still there.

“I’ll get the paperwork ready. Once you’re done saying your farewells to everyone, please come to my office and we’ll work out the details.” What did I just do? I swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Safe travels, everyone.”

With that, I turned and marched away from the noise of the foyer back to my office. Quiet, isolated, and calm.

I repeated to myself that I agreed to hire Aubrielle for Lillianna’s sake. She would be a good fit as a nanny, especially with her education and Lillianna needing to be prepped for starting kindergarten in September. Plus, it put me on my sister’s good side. It would be beneficial to all of us.

It would be easy enough for me to keep my distance. I had enough self control to live in the same house as an unclaimed Omega. My powerful will had always been my strength, and it would keep me on the right path.