Page 65 of My Solemn Vow

Valor pulls a phone out of his suit pocket. It has a green case and a grippy on the back. Then out of the other pocket, a smartwatch.

“Oh.” I don’t object as he hands me the phone, but then he picks up my wrist and puts the watch on for me. I’m stuck somewhere between thinking this is kind and feeling like he’s putting a tracking device on me like I’m some sort of dog. “I don’t think the watch is necessary.”

The sly grin tells me this isn’t a negotiation, and I save the fight for something else that I’m sure he’ll try to bring into my life.

With his grip on my wrist, Valor pulls me closer to him. He wraps his arm around my waist and drops his hand to the globe of my ass. The fact that I’m wearing the outfit I wore after our wedding doesn’t help with the memories and warmth his actions elicit.

“You’re taking care of Kerrianne. There is no such thing as not necessary in my eyes.” He bites his bottom lip like he wants to kiss me but steps away instead, and I don’t like the absence ofhis warmth against my body. Valor clears his throat. “I called Berto.”

I raise my eyebrows. That’s a sentence I never in a million years would have guessed, and I’m waiting for the sky to fall, ready to take cover under my desk.

Valor nods, flaring his nostrils. “He’s letting us send someone to collect your things on Saturday. So, my mom offered to buy you a bunch of work outfits. I told her you may wish to shop for yourself, and she told me to mind my business.” He laughs. “I tried to remind her you are exclusively my business, and then she scoffed and hung up.”

I nod. “Your mom is buying me clothes for the week?”

“I’ve been instructed to gather your sizes because it was a lucky guess for her with the after-wedding outfit.” Valor brushes a wayward lock of hair out of my face, and I swoon.

I fucking swoon like a teenager in love for the first time.

“I’m guessing your number is now programmed in my phone?” I wiggle the device at him. “Thank you, for this. I’m sure there was no way in hell Berto would hand mine over.”

“I did try, but he was adamant. And yeah, I’m in your phone. As are my parents, Royal, and Jack, my driver.Ourdriver.” He corrects himself, and it’s causing more heart palpitations and butterflies. “Want to text her the sizes directly?”

“I can.” I look at the classroom and then the clock.

I have ten minutes before the students are back. I’ve known Valor a few days, a few being a generous term, but I don’t want him to leave.

“If it’s too soon for you to be back in the classroom, you can come home.” Valor offers, and I dislike how, again, it’s as if he’s reading my mind.

But I shake my head. “It’s silly. I know there’s no threat. I’m safe.”

“That security patch has been fixed. I’ve hired an armed security agent for the staff and teacher entrance, and the othersremote lock, so no other door is accessible without two different key cards.” Valor shakes his head. “I underestimated Berto’s resourcefulness, and it won’t happen again. You’re also linked into the school’s silent alarm and will know immediately if there is a breach. This weekend your classroom door will be switched out and will be bulletproof against a higher caliber than the rest already are.”

“The doors are bulletproof?” I look at what I assumed was a heavy oak door.

Valor huffs. “Of course they are. Windows too.”

“Windows, I assumed, but the doors, I had no idea.” I brush that same lock of hair out of my face again.

Valor watches my every movement, and I think his jaw twitches as he partially turns away from me. “Alright, I’ve gotta move on with the day. I’ll see you tonight at home.”

I don’t even get a chance to say goodbye. His long legs carry him on silent footsteps as he strides out of the room as if he’d never been here at all.

31

VALOR

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD

It’s been exactly a week since Sean died. Kerrianne reminded me this morning when she tried to go to school with Antonella that Antonella and I said she could go to school tomorrow.

I know she should go to school. The bonus classes over winter break are ‘optional’ and meant to allow families the flexibility to take their kids out during the regular session for vacations or whatnot that fall outside of the school’s scheduled days off. It would be smart to utilize those extra days in the event she gets the summer sillies and needs to take summer break early. Wolf pups and season changes aren’t always the most conducive to learning.

My little velociraptor is safe with Antonella, I have proof of that, but I’m being a nervous and overprotective father.

Not overprotective.My wolf disagrees, furthering my belief that I’m letting the situation control me and not the other way around.

Ifthese candidates are up to my standard, then, andonly then, will I let her go back to school.