Page 83 of My Solemn Vow

I’ve always allowed Kerrianne to shift anytime she’s at home and we don’t have company. So when we pull up in front of the door, under the covered parking awning, Kerrianne is barely out of the car before her wolf explodes from her little body, destroying the clothes she wore to school.

Which gets a chuckle from Declan. “At least she didn’t shred the inside of the SUV.”

I sigh and work the buttons of my shirt on my way to shift with Kerrianne. “Can you imagine if we destroyed two in one day?”

“Pft. Light day.” Declan scoffs. “You want me to go back for Mrs. Cavanagh at the end of the school day as extra precaution?”

“Please.” I nod, tossing my shirt on the bench by the front door, and kick off my shoes, watching as Kerrianne runs full tilt down the driveway.

Pup got faster.My wolf observes, and I stretch out, letting him take over my body.

Life is simpler with four feet and chasing Kerrianne through piles of leaves that the gardening staff has yet to pick up.

I chase her down, pushing her to run harder around the yard. Then I lead her back toward the house and repeat the process, running out again and again.

For almost two hours, we’re out here as wolves enjoying theelements before we collapse in the yard, both of us out of breath and panting.

She’s falling asleep in wolf form when I shift back and pull on my clothes. I grab a dress from one of the gardening boxes we keep around the house and bring it over to her.

“Come on, Kerrianne. Let’s get you cleaned up, fed, and put to bed.” I hold the dress out toward her.

She groans and lets out the most dramatic sigh in puppy form before slowly shifting back. It turns into a yawn, and she pulls the dress over her head.

After a negotiation of dino nuggets and cauliflower or mac and cheese with hotdogs and broccoli, I get Kerrianne tucked in her bed upstairs right on time for the text to come in that Jack and Declan are on their way home, escorting Antonella.

37

ANTONELLA

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION

When the SUV pulls into the garage, Valor is waiting. He walks over to where I’m sitting in the back seat, Declan and Jack having taken the two seats in the front. I go to open my door, but he’s faster and he offers his hand to help me out. I take it without objection, even if this is a strange development between us.

“Is Kerrianne okay?” I look toward the door to the house. “I can make soup?” There’s a vacant spot in the garage and I indicate to it. “Is the other one out for service?”

Valor is quiet. Too quiet. It’s like that stillness you’re not sure you’ll survive. The one that screams massive storm, batten down the hatches, and pray you’ll see light on the other side.

He backs away, walking me toward the house, my hand in his. “Kerrianne will be okay. I put her to bed, but I bet she wouldn’t say no to soup for lunch tomorrow.”

I follow him diligently to the mudroom off the garage, where I take off my shoes.

The conversation doesn’t pick up between us. Valor doesn’t seem to want to elaborate. So, I embrace the silence. Maybe if I work around him, I can wait out the storm he’s brewing.

I pull out a stockpot from a cabinet and grab ingredients out of the fridge. Valor’s kitchen seems to be continually stocked, his house always clean and fresh. I know it can’t possibly be what he does all day, so I assume he has staff, but I’ve never seen or sensed anyone. It hasn’t mattered enough for me to ask.

I’ve got fresh ingredients chopped and ready to go. Celery, carrot, and onion browning in a pan all while I debone the chicken quarters that were in the fridge.

Finally, Valor speaks. “Someone shot at me today.”

His words stop me dead.

My heart hammers in my chest, and I turn off the stove, looking at him. Hoping, praying, for some good news, I look to the stairs. His words implied Kerrianne was alive and fine.

“It was right after we talked and I told you I was coming to pick up Kerrianne.” Valor’s tone isn’t accusatory like one would expect for the easy line of deductive reasoning.

But I don’t immediately jump to defend myself. He can check who I’ve called and talked to with his access to my cell phone and the stupid smartwatch I wear per his request. I have literally zero time in the day between students, home, and bed to talk to anyone.

“I don’t think it was you, but there was obvious suspicion that you’d been involved.” He walks around the kitchen island that had been separating us and leans against the counter next to me.