Page 26 of My Solemn Vow

“Interesting.” It’s all he says, and it isn’t the usual midwestern ‘interesting’ to show disgust or distaste, more of the acceptance of a calculation.

“And you’re the one who called the truce and saved Kerrianne?” Elizabeth asks, holding her granddaughter against her.

Yeah, I should have grabbed the gun.

I hang my head for a moment but then look at them. “I couldn’t, in good faith, risk the life of one of my students. No matter who they are.”

Ian Cavanagh’s single nod lifts a weight from my shoulders, but his words remain solemn. “I’ve already accepted the first call with the arbiter.”

“I appreciate your cooperation. Gregorio will likely ask for something large.”

“We will do everything we can to assure that a deal will be cut.” Ian offers me a somber smile.

It’s a reassurance and the best I can expect given the circumstances.

I don’t have regret or remorse for what I’ve done, but thereality is that my uncle may remain obstinate. No matter what Ian Cavanagh brings to the table, it’s possible no deal will be reached.

Once the Cavanaghs leave, I wait until their steps are out of earshot before, with trembling fingers, I reach for the scarf-clad gun.

In the silence of my classroom, I give myself time to decompress. But I fight back every tear that threatens to escape.I’ve survived more. I’ll survive this. Probably.

Straightening chairs, I focus on deep breaths and slow steps before finally making it to my desk at the back of the room. I grab my purse from the cupboard to the left of it and tuck the gun inside, concealing it before I pull the scarf out, sans gun. Folding it, I prepare it to go back in the messy student’s cubby.

With nothing more to do, no way to keep myself here in the sanctuary of my classroom, I leave, closing the door and locking it behind me for what could very well be the last time.

12

VALOR

THE PHONE CALL

The wheels of the jet touch down in the middle of nowhere, Brazil, and I’m ready to get off the plane. It’s been four days and six cities of stalking this asshole who claims he can sell off information about our organization for the right price.

We’re inching closer, and now we know for certain they’re trying to sell information on our gun-running operation directly to the D’Medicis, with the intent to strengthen the Bratva and Russian arms dealers.

It will ruin my carefully laid plans. Revenge is on the line. It feels like every year, I get closer and closer to figuring out why Holly had to die.

But the problem is, I can’t focus on it.

It’s midafternoon, and my burner satellite phone hasn’t pinged through with the updates I’m expecting.

I double-check the time.

Sean hasn’t messaged me that my little raptor has been returned to the nest.Okay, if there was traffic...No, they should have been home at least thirty minutes ago, even if traffic was an extra half hour.

Fuck the mission, fuck this asshole, I need to make sureKerrianne is home safe.I’m headed back to the plane when the burner phone rings in my hand.

The ringing, followed by my mother’s name on the screen, puts my hair on end. My whole body locks into place, but I force myself to bring the phone to my ear. The worst-case scenarios run through my head. “What’s wrong?”

“Calm down.” Mom is calm, her voice steady.

“What’s wrong?” I repeat, feeling no less tense.

“So much like your father,” Mom muses, but with a deep breath, she levels with me as only my mother can. “I wanted you to hear it from me that there was an incident at Kerrianne’s school today.”

My blood runs cold, and I clench my fist.Don’t crush your only communication device. “What happened?”

“We’re not entirely sure. Not yet. Ambushed by the looks of it. Kerrianne is fine. Sean is dead.”