Page 3 of Knot Letting Go

“Is everything alright?” Callista turned with Levi by her side to address her brother.

I came to a stop behind my friend and peered over her shoulder into the small tearoom. Konstantin’s chest heaved with his outburst and his dark eyes blazed. I’d seen pictures of him before we’d met and always thought he was handsome, but in person, he was like a model who had just stepped out of a fashion magazine. My gaze drifted along his wide shoulders, his trim athletic build, and his long legs that had him standing at nearly six foot two. His black hair was slicked back from his face highlighting his exquisite jaw and cheekbones.

Anger radiated off him and made my stomach twist, but I found it impossible to look away.

“No,” he snapped. His hands clenched into fists. “Paula wasn’t watching Lillianna and she got into your dressing room. Your makeup… the mess…”

Lillianna peeked out from behind one of the ornate chairs. She had tried to put makeup on, but she layered on too thick and smudged it everywhere. There were streaks on her pretty white dress, and her hair had come out on one side. Tears glimmered in her eyes as she looked up at her father.

Poor girl. What she needed was a hug and not her father yelling at the nanny.

Callista attempted a smile and waved her hand. “It’s not a big deal. I don’t care—”

“It is. She was supposed to be with Lillianna. Always.” Konstantin straightened his suit jacket as his jaw worked back and forth. He peered back at Callista, Levi, and the rest of us. His gaze lingered on me for a second longer than the others. “What are you all doing here?”

“We were getting some air.” Callista didn’t wilt before her brother’s temper. She held up her chin and stepped forward, holding out her hand to her niece. “Come on, Lillianna. Let’s go get you cleaned up.”

“I will take care of her. Your guests will be looking for you.” Konstantin took his daughter’s hand and gestured for us to head back to the ballroom.

Callista seemed to want to argue with him, but with a nudge from Levi, she sighed and nodded. “Alright.”

I bit the side of my tongue. Everything in me wanted to rush in there and scoop up Lillianna, ferrying her away from the scary scene. But it wasn’t my place.

Everyone turned and headed back through the sunroom to the interior of the manor. I glanced back over my shoulder to see Konstantin pick up the child who covered her face with her hands as she started to cry. He gently pressed her head against his shoulder and said nothing as makeup smudged on his jacket. He kissed her forehead as he walked away.

He’d gone from being a terrifying monster to a gentle beast in a matter of seconds. It was the only thing all day that had made me want to cry.

CHAPTER TWO - Konstantin

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.”

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