Page 14 of Knot Letting Go

Kids were resilient though, and I planned to make this the best summer of her childhood yet. I didn’t know how long I’d be her nanny for, but for the definite year I’d be with her, I was going to give her my everything.

I was so focused on Lillianna, I didn’t notice as the trio of men approached us until the eldest of them cleared his throat. Lillianna let out a squeal and jumped up to run and embrace him. “Nonno!”

She was so fast, I couldn’t get on my feet fast enough. Not that he was a stranger to her, it seemed. Yet I still wasn’t expecting anyone to know us on the beach, let alone someone who Lillianna would greet with affection.

“Lillianna,mia piccola tesoro.” He gently crooned and bent to kiss each of her cheeks. The man was probably about seventy but a very distinguished seventy. He wore a suit without a tie, and a gold watch that likely cost more than my father’s car graced his wrist. His smile felt genuine as he hugged Lillianna, and she spoke to him rapidly in Italian.

The two men with him stood back six feet. They did wear ties that seemed too tight around their thick necks and black sunglasses covered nearly half their faces. I immediately read them as bodyguards. I’d been around Callista’s mates enough to recognize the ready-to-spring stance.

I heard my name faintly on the wind and glanced back toward the parking lot where Gavin was scrambling to his feet. He yanked out his phone and made a call as he started to trot toward us.

“Let’s not be rude, my sweet. Please, introduce me to your guardian. She’s not the same one I met before.” The man straightened and stared at me. The softness in his face grew into something sharp and dangerous.

It then hit me hard that he was an Alpha. And no matter his age, the way he held himself, the authority radiating off him, said he was an Alpha of Alphas.

I wanted to curl up into myself, make myself small, and scamper away. I’ve never met any Alpha who scared me as much as this man.

But I couldn’t flee. Lillianna needed me. She stood grinning beside this predator as if he were nothing more than a beloved puppy.

“This is Aubrielle. We’re going to be mermaids.” Lillianna announced with glee. “She’s new because Paula didn’t do her job right and Daddy fired her. That’s okay, though. I like Aubrielle much, much better. We have so much fun. We’re going to make mermaid tails and swim to the bottom of the ocean.”

“You’ll make the most beautiful mermaid.” He patted Lillianna’s cheek, but his gaze bore into me as he smiled. I couldn’t help but imagine a row of shark teeth behind his thin lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aubrielle. More so hearing how happy you have made my granddaughter. I’m Lorenzo Pacetti.”

He didn’t offer his hand and I didn’t offer mine. I continued to inwardly curl into myself. My lower abdomen trembled, and I wrapped my arms around my middle. I was wearing only my bathing suit, but I could have been dressed in a snowsuit and still felt immensely vulnerable with him.

“Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Pacetti. I had no idea Lillianna’s family would be visiting or I wouldn’t have planned a beach day.” The fact I got out all those words without stumbling shocked me. I wanted to grab Lillianna and run away to the car with her, but Lorenzo was her grandfather. No matter my nervousness, I wasn’t going to be rude or ruin this reunion for Lillianna.

Lorenzo chuckled in a dry way. His Italian accent was rich and even. “I wasn’t expecting to be in town myself. I had just finished a meeting and wanted to unwind with a short walk on the beach. The Fates have shone their light upon me to let my path cross with my beloved granddaughter’s.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I have missed you,mia piccola.”

“I miss you too, Nonno. Are you coming back to the house? I can show you my room and the kite me and Aubrielle made and have dinner.” Lillianna rambled on with all the plans she had for him.

Gavin huffed to catch a breath as he finally reached us. “Is everything alright here, Miss Smyth?”

No. Nothing was right at all. Even though Gavin was there beside me, I didn’t feel safe. Nevermind that Lorenzo had two huge bodyguards—why did an old businessman need such security?—but he was a powerful Alpha himself, even for his age. I had a feeling one look from him could send Gavin running if he wanted to do so.

“This is Lillianna’s grandfather, Lorenzo Pacetti.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say, and I hoped I didn’t sound as distressed as I felt.

“Mr. Pacetti.” Gavin dipped his head.

“Is he your only escort?” Lorenzo frowned and shook his head. “Konstantin needs better security for my granddaughter. And for his new… nanny.”

My skin crawled with the way he said that. I didn’t like what he was implying. My mind flashed back to what I saw on Konstantin’s computer in his office. Trafficking Omegas. Bile rose in my throat and burned the back of my tongue.

I wanted to believe that Lorenzo was only worried about his granddaughter’s safety. She was an Omega, and it wasn’t unheard of that young girls were kidnapped and then raised in brainwashing schools to be sold off to the highest bidders. Unclaimed Omegas my age were more commonly taken, but I doubted a stranger cared so much for my safety that he would include me for any reason other than I was taking care of Lillianna.

“You’re going to come over for dinner, right, Nonno?” Lillianna pleaded with her big dark eyes, so innocent of the thick tension between the adults.

Lorenzo looked down at her with a smile. “I’m sorry,mia bambina. I have much work to do today, but I will call your father and we’ll arrange something,si?”

“Si.” Lillianna bobbed her head and gave him another hug.

They said their goodbye with Gavin hovering close, his hand in his jacket pocket. Lorenzo then extended a hand to me, and I had to take it. My good manners dictated it. Instead of a shake, my whole body stiffened as he slowly brought my hand to his lips and brushed a kiss across my knuckles.

I always worried what might happen if an Alpha did this very thing, but the only thing I felt was fear. Thank God there was zero compatibility. Inwardly cringing, I managed to keep a small smile on my face.

“Truly a pleasure meeting you, Aubrielle. I do hope to see you again very soon.”

Everything in me screamed that it was a threat and not good manners. I didn’t trust my voice this time, but nodded and then quickly retreated, drawing Lillianna to me.

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