Page 5 of Knot Letting Go

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.

CHAPTER THREE - Aubrielle

I’d come to Birk manor for my best friend’s wedding and ended up making a huge change in my life. When Callista told her brother I’d be perfect for the nanny job, I wanted to run and hide. There was a proper way to go about securing a job, and this wasn’t it. Yet what I’d been doing hadn’t been working. So instead of panicking—alright, I was still freaking out—I allowed myself to be grateful and excited.

It took over half an hour for everyone to say good-bye and be on their way. Callista had hired a ride share service to bring me to the manor, and I sent a text to cancel the car that was scheduled to arrive later in the morning to bring me back to eastern Oregon. This would be my home for the next while.

Home. This huge mansion. It would take some getting used to.

One of the housekeepers directed me to Konstantin’s office. Or should I be calling him Mr. Birk? That would be the more professional thing to do.

I stood in front of the door with my hands trembling. I’d smoothed down my skirt three times, but nothing calmed my nerves. I didn’t want to keep my new boss waiting. Yet the knowledge I was about to step into a room alone with an Alpha… Maybe I should have had the housekeeper accompany me.

Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, I reminded myself that Konstantin was a proper gentleman. Callista assured me he was very respectful, and I have not witnessed anything contrary to the fact. He was not his father, a man who had terrified me the few times I’d met him when I visited Callista and Kienna during our school years.

I knocked, gently. It was still early in the morning after all.

“Come in.”

Konstantin’s voice sent a shiver through me. It was crisp and deep with a little Italian accent. I listened to a lot of romance audiobooks, and his voice was just as sexy. More so. It was mysterious, foreign, and powerful.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, standing near it with my hands clasped before me. He stood behind his desk, gripping the edge of it. His dark gaze bore into me for a few seconds before he gestured to the chair in front of him. “Please, have a seat. I have everything ready to go over with you.”

As I moved forward, the scent of his space—of him—rolled over me. My nose was attuned to a variety of perfumes, but his was a magnificently complex one. Oakmoss and vanilla with a hint of lemon zest and mint with deeper notes of vetiver. I’d never smelled anything like it, and it was almost as if I’d had a shot of alcohol with how heavily warm and light I felt at the same time.

I wet my lips and swallowed. “Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Birk. I will not disappoint you.”

Konstantin slid smoothly into his chair, his eyes never leaving me. “I hope not, Au— Miss Smyth. Lillianna is the most precious thing in the world to me. I want what’s only best for her.”

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