Page 24 of Knot Letting Go

“That means I’m her boss. It isn’t right to step over that line.” He huffed and then narrowed his eyes at me. “She’s our staff. She has to feel safe in her work environment. Plus, Lillianna loves her. I will not hurt my daughter by doing anything that might jeopardize the relationship she has with Aubrielle. Lillianna has enough issues with people she cares about leaving. I won’t put her through any more pain.”

“Well, if you’re going to be upstanding bossman, I’ll claim Aubrielle and give Lilli a new auntie.” I raised my chin, absolutely serious. He bared his teeth at me, fury igniting in his eyes. I didn’t budge. I face down death for her. “What? Seems you’re set against it. There’s no reason—”

“Quill.” Konstantin snarled the one syllable. Never before had I ever seen him lose his cool until tonight, but he wasn’t going to dissuade me.

“There’s no reason why I can’t pursue her. None.” I punctuated the statement with sweeping my hands to say it was settled. “You can punch me into the ground, and I’ll get back up to be by her side. She’s not just a fling for me, Kon. I can see sharing a life with her.”

“Fuck.” He pushed himself up and started to pace. The intensity of his steps got on my nerves. I was tempted to throw something at him to get him to stop. “I don’t know if I can give her up.”

I stood and a gust of wind whooshed around us. Brushing my hair out of my face, I spread my arms. “You don’t have her yet, bro. Neither of us do. I’m not stupid enough to think I can just whisk her off her feet. She’s the type of woman you have to work for, and she’s more than worth it.”

Konstantin kicked at one of the chairs. “She’s in heat.”

Something lit up inside of me. I knew how delicate the situation was right now, but everything in me was more than excited to hear that. “Yeah? So she’ll need an Alpha to help her through. I’ll treat her like a queen. I’ll make sure she doesn’t suffer a single minute.”

“And what if she doesn’t want you?” He folded his arms as his tie fluttered in the wind.

“Then you will.” Whatever Aubrielle wanted, she would get, even if that wasn’t me. “But she wants me. I know it.” I smirked. “Why can’t it be both of us if that’s what she wants? Callista has three mates. And look at Kienna! That girl needs five guys to keep her motor purring.”

“Goddammit, Quill.” Konstantin rolled his eyes and shook his head, but I caught him almost smiling. Yet then he went all serious again. “I don’t know if I could share.”

“Right now, it isn’t up to us.” I walked over to a small cooler under one of the tables and retrieved two bottles of water. I tossed one to my brother, which he deftly caught. “It’s up to Aubrielle what she wants. Just know, I’m not going to step away. I can share if it means having her in my life, and I only say that because I know you’ll treat her well. You have to think about how much keeping her in your life means to you. The only thing that will get me to back off is if she tells me she doesn’t want me.”

Konstantin muttered something and glanced at me. “Smarter than you look.” He twisted off the lid of the bottle and took a long drink.

I grinned and opened my water. Whether I was smarter or not, it didn’t matter. I was honest about my emotions, and Konstantin needed to come to terms with how he felt about it all. Everyone always saw him as the cool-headed hardass, but he was a volcano about to erupt. Yet if he thought he could get me to back off trying to win Aubrielle’s heart, he would see what a hardass I could be.

CHAPTER TWELVE – Aubrielle

A note had been slipped under my door at some point in the night. I sat on my packed suitcase and stared at it for a long time. There was no point in trying to sleep. My dreams were filled with erotic scenes of me with Quill and Konstantin. Positions I never thought about, and sensations that had me waking covered in slick.

It was only when the morning sun kissed the horizon that I gathered enough nerve to pick the paper up and unfold it. It struck me as kind of silly to pen a note when a text would be more expeditious, but once I started reading it in Konstantin’s careful hand, I realized it was far more personal than any text could be.

Dear Aubrielle,

I must first offer my deepest apologies for my behavior yesterday. The fact we’re compatible gives me no right to expect anything of you. I have far more respect for you than what I demonstrated, and I ask for your forgiveness.

Whether you choose to accept my apology or not, please consider staying on as Lillianna’s nanny. She adores you, and you have been so good for her. She deserves the best in life, and you are the best for her.

I wiped at my eyes with the back of my hand as I teared up. Lillianna was wonderful, and I was loath to leave her. I wasn’t certain how I felt about Konstantin and what happened, or about Quill, but I already bonded with Lillianna.

And her father thought I was best for her. Not for a second did I doubt the sincerity of the statement. Somethinginside of me trembled with joy knowing that Konstantin felt that. His praise made the ache between my legs pulse with more urgency.

It would only get worse. Far worse.

I swallowed hard and kept reading.

If you’re worried about not being able to work during your heat, we have plenty of hands on staff to watch over Lillianna while you do so. I will personally take time to be with my daughter until you’re able to resume your duties. If you wish to be professional about it, you should know that the law allows Omegas time off during their heat cycle.

Of course I knew about the law. It was taught to us young at St. Anne’s as well as the belief that Omegas were meant to be mothers. A lot of my fellow schoolmates scoffed at that, but I’d always wanted to have babies. Omegas were not only given time off during their heats, but plenty of maternity leave as well. Alphas wanted Omegas to have babies, because we were the only ones who could produce Alpha sons. Betas might produce the rare Omega, but not Alphas.

Konstantin didn’t need to tell me what the law said, but I assumed he wanted to comfort me and give me the assurance that my job wasn’t at risk. That wasn’t the problem, though. The issue was that he and his brother were the Alphas I wanted.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I continued reading.

I want to give you more than time. Our compatibility allows me to help you through your heat. I will not only take time off for Lillianna, I will take time for you, and make certain that you have everything you need. Of course it is your decision if you take me up on the offer and how much youwant from me. I’m offering not only my resources but myself as well.

Offering himself? My whole body lit up like a bonfire.

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