Page 22 of My Solemn Vow

It’d be easier to contact someone programmed into Kelsey’s device, but protocol dictates we’re not allowed to use students’ devices. Only the admin can call the designated phone numbers in the office system.

Please let her have more than her bodyguard as a contact.

I pop the office door open, and it swings inward, nearly hitting another teacher with their student. The office ispacked.

Slowly my shoulders drop, my body attempting to relax.See, traffic. There are others here with students. It’s traffic.I try to talk my inner self down from the nervousness.

Based on the number of people in here, there’s no way I’ll be able to squeeze through and get to the desk with Kelsey and herbackpack. But the office’s large windows offer an unobstructed view of benches across the hallway.

Stepping back out of the office, I motion toward the bench across the way. “Have a seat, I’ll be right back.”

Kelsey sits on the bench, her little green backpack leaning against the wall. I take one last look down the hall toward my classroom, but it’s empty.

I open the door, more carefully this time, and weave around the masses to get to the second office admin who is typing on her computer. She looks busy, but no one’s standing in front of her. I turn myself to face her as best I can while keeping Kelsey in my peripheral vision.

“Ms. Mancini, what’s going on?” the school admin asks after a few moments, looking up from her desk.

“I need to call the guardians on file for Kelsey Clark. Her bodyguard hasn’t shown up yet.” I give her a soft smile.

“Oh.” The admin furrows her brow with the same uneasy suspicion bulging her eyes. “That’s odd.”

“I agree.” I look over my shoulder one more time.Should I take her back to my classroom and have admin call me with answers?

The admin dials and then begins speaking with whoever the emergency contact is, explaining the situation. She puts her finger in her opposite ear to hear over the ruckus two of the teachers are causing, laughing on the other side.

I flit my gaze to them, trying to figure out what’s so funny, and then the world fades to a dull buzz as a hand, presumably attached to a person who is standing outside the view of the window, extends toward Kelsey.

She looks hesitant to take it.

“Okay, Ms. Mancini, Grandma and Grandpa are on their way—” The admin continues beyond that statement, but my feet are already moving.

That they’re on their way is enough to know that my gutfeeling is right. Whoever that is isn’t who Kelsey should be going with.

I dart out into the hall, and my heart practically comes to a stop as I see Kelsey being all but dragged down the hallway away from the office. She’s leaning back, heavily resisting.

Despite the two-inch heels I chose to wear this morning, I sprint to get in front of the man.

The man I know.

My cousin Berto.

He’s coaxing Kelsey to go with him.

My fingers clench into a fist. He didn’t let it go. He investigated her over the weekend.That bastard.

Luckily, we’re only a few feet from my classroom door, and with a quick extension of my arm, I push it open.

With a smile, masking my grimace, I instruct Kelsey, “Go ahead and play for a little bit. Your grandmother is sending someone to get you.”

Kelsey looks between us, no doubt confused because Berto told her some sort of lie. She shuffles into the classroom, and I lock the door behind her.

“Antonella.” Berto warns me, using my real first name. “Do you know who that is?”

I shake my head, not even wanting to hear what he’s planning. I lower my voice to an angry whisper despite a scared bird fluttering behind my ribs. “She’s seven. You’re not taking her.”

“That is Valor Cavanagh’s daughter.” He grits his teeth and matches my low tone. “We don’t have a lot of time. We are taking her. Gregorio is waiting. If you know what is good for you, then you won’t be here when the Cavanaghs show up.”

“This is too far, Berto,” I hiss, raising a finger sternly toward him.