Page 15 of My Solemn Vow

“You okay, boss?” Jack, my driver, asks.

I’m sitting in the front seat, dressed in a suit and sunglasses, matching Jack. I don’t look any different from any other security professional escorting a child to school.

Kerrianne has always gone to school under a pseudonym. To the outside world, she’s Kelsey Clark, the daughter of a faceless tech mogul and nothing more. If my enemies were to find out she’s Kerrianne Cavanagh, daughter of Valor Cavanagh, next head of the Irish Mob, she’d be dead.

Keeping my pup safe while letting her be a pup is a constant balancing act. She doesn’t completely understand the importance of the fake name while she’s at school. But we’ve done it for so long now that it’s normal, and we made a small concession by keeping her initials the same to help ease some of the transition for her in the beginning. And I prayed it wasn’t too obvious, but it’s served us well for this long.

“I’m okay.” I watch as she and Sean stand in line to enter the school.

Full-body scanners and infrared technology are hidden in the entryway. Nothing is visible, to make the kids feel like they’re entering a normal school all while providing state-of-the-art security.

It was an important upgrade to me. The school board loved the donation and that they could now market the school as ‘a normal, everyday experience for children of the elite.’ I don’t care how they market it so long as she’s safe every time she walks through those doors.

It’s not a perfect system, but it’s better than ninety-eight percent of the schools in this country. Her bodyguard should make up for the other two percent.

“Ready, then?” Jack asks after they’ve disappeared through the doors.

It’s a formality because he’s already got the gear shifter moving to drive.

“Yeah. It’s a whole new day of bullshit to deal with.” I tuck my heart away.

There’s no room for me to be soft. I have an empire to run, a legacy to build, and a rival family to destroy. Not exclusively in that order.

6

VALOR

THE MELTDOWN

The heart attack I get when Sean’s phone number pops up on my screen will kill me someday. Before I hit answer, I’m already closing my laptop and on the move.

I don’t bother with hello, fearing for the goddamned worst. “Go.”

“Valor.” Sean is calm, and the gentle sound of the SUV on the road is in the background.

I take half a second to relax.She’s safe.

My wolf goes from violent and snarling to on edge and growling.

“Yeah, Sean?” I grab my keys out of my top desk drawer and start gathering my stuff to leave.

“Kerrianne and I are detouring for a sundae at the ice cream parlor.” Sean isn’t asking, which is fine.

He and Kerrianne have privileges to make a stop up to twice a week at preapproved, very particular places if she doesn’t have other commitments after school.

But he usually sends a quick message letting me know. Communication is paramount when it comes to Kerrianne’s whereabouts, but a phone call means there’s more than just aslight change in plans. Given his casual tone, though, it isn’t life threatening. It means my little raptor is within hours of a meltdown. Hopefully, we’re pre-meltdown, but it could likely be post.

“Well, the two of you have a good time.” I cautiously proceed with my offer, knowing the call is on Bluetooth in the SUV and Kerrianne will be listening. “Maybe, if I can get away early, I’ll meet you, and then raptor and I can get dinner.”

I close and lock my office door at our legal business front and head out to the parking lot.

“Can we get pasta?” Kerrianne’s words tremble.

So, it’s post meltdown. Which is why Sean called. School has only been in session for three and a half months, and this is the third time she’s had an issue.

I scrub my hand down my face, not from frustration with her falling apart but that I wasn’t there.

Pup needs to learn. This is learning.My wolf groans and hangs his head with the defeat I feel. We want to protect her from all the heartache of the world, even if we realistically can’t.