Page 11 of My Solemn Vow (The Mafia Arrangement #1)

VALOR

THE AUDACITY

I’ve been called to the principal’s office before, but with Kerrianne shifting in her sleep, I don’t know what to expect with this latest summons. Conferences are today, and rather than meet with Kerrianne’s teacher, I’ve been sent here.

“So, if you’re okay with it, I’d really like to see what options we can offer Kelsey as far as ac... celllll... errrr... ated...” Doctor Thatcher trails off with a disturbance coming from outside her office, which is fine because I’m listening to the same thing she is.

“No, I demand to speak with Doctor Thatcher right now. There is no one more important at this school than me.”

I snort because the self-importance of some parents is ridiculous. I’m no more important than any other parent here.

The door opens three seconds later.

“Doctor Thatcher, we need to talk about that new teacher. What’s her name? Ms. Mancini? She is out of control,”Peyton Hopkins, realtor and insufferable woman, fumes as she storms into the office.

The door slams closed behind her, and I’m not one to run from a conflict, but this conversation regarding Kerrianne feels like it isn’t so urgent that it can’t wait for another day.

Peyton drops into the chair in the same manner Kerrianne does when she pouts, practically slamming her ass into it. Her perfume assaults my nose, and I hold back the urge to cough. I debate getting up and leaving.

No, let’s stay. This will be amusing. My wolf and I have a similar thought, seeing as how Peyton is breathing heavily, and her face is almost purple with rage.

“Peyton, Mrs. Hopkins.” Doctor Thatcher corrects herself. “I am with another parent. He had an appointment.”

Peyton seemingly notices my presence for the first time, and she sits up in her chair a bit taller. Which is weird since I settled in, assuming this would be a long conversation with Doctor Thatcher. It’s not like I’ve adopted an intimidating stance.

“Victor.” Peyton coos at me, using the fake name everyone from outside the pack is given. “It’s lovely to see you. I’m so sorry to barge in, but you don’t mind, do you?”

I don’t get a chance to answer for myself because Doctor Thatcher tries to intervene. “Mrs. Hopkins, could you please step outside? Mr. Clark and I are in a meeting.”

“No, he should hear this too. It concerns all the school’s donors,” Peyton snaps, cutting off Doctor Thatcher.

It’s no secret that my security company has fortified the entire place, including the ridiculous sporting complex she donated, so I’m not surprised she knows who I am.

This’ll be good. I steeple my fingers, ready to listen.

Doctor Thatcher sighs and gives me a preemptive apologetic look.

“Well, as you know, my son is in Ms. Mancini’s class.” Peyton starts telling this story like I would tell Kerrianne a bedtime story. “It started off as a few emails about his behavior in class. Apparently, he had a tiny outburst.”

“Outburst?” Doctor Thatcher pulls out a notepad from her desk drawer. She tilts it up and poises the pen over the paper, except the cap is still on the pen.

Outburst as in, he’s thrown something. I translate from my and Royal’s time in school.

“Yes.” Peyton Hopkins nods but doesn’t even notice the cap is on the pen.

This is peak comedy.

“Well, according to Ms. Mancini, my David has been having behavior issues, and she’s not teaching him the same thing as other students. Ms. Mancini told me my son is stupid.” Peyton starts to fake shake.

It’s too rigid and uniform to be real shaking with rage or any other emotion.

She’s terrible at lying. My wolf sighs and lies down. Could she at least pretend to care about her kid?

I clench my core to stop myself from laughing at his inner monologue and the fact that Peyton’s son is stupid.

“Ahhh.” Doctor Thatcher nods, pretending to write on the pad. “I do remember seeing that David’s scores were quite low compared to the rest of his class. And he may be missing assignments?”

“Yes, but I told her it’s because the school year is new, and he needs time to warm up. It’s like warming up for a ball game, it’s getting back into the swing of things,” Peyton huffs, the fuming anger still there. “But what’s worse is that she insulted my intelligence and business sense.”

“Your business sense?” I can’t help but cut in, leaning forward, trying to see if she’s joking. I’m confused about how this is ‘worse,’ and it feels like some sort of practical joke. “Her insulting your business sense... is worse than thinking your child needs help with school?”

“Exactly. You get it.” Peyton thinks I’m agreeing with her.

I look at Doctor Thatcher, who meets my eyes and shakes her head .

At least I’m not alone in experiencing this.

“She seems to think I don’t know what I’m doing with my business and that my child’s clearly not smart enough to attend this school despite the fact that I donated, very generously, mind you, to the new field house.

” She sniffles despite not having any actual tears to generate mucus. It’s disgusting.

Oh, here we fuckin’ go. I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying not to get myself involved in what clearly does not belong anywhere near my business. But a field house for an elementary school seemed a little excessive, because it is.

“And we are very thankful for the field house and your donations for it.” Doctor Thatcher appeases Peyton’s need for praise. She goes on to add, “And it would be impossible to take care of the lawns, landscaping, and snow removal without your generous contributions.”

The pack has a lawn care company, my wolf thinks. This woman is not necessary.

I almost pull out my phone to file a note on the subject when Peyton turns the conversation again.

Her fake tears precede her words. “I just don’t know how an educator of such a high-caliber school could ever talk to someone who gives them so much. I mean, surely Mr. Clark’s child isn’t being treated with this much disrespect.”

“I —” Peyton doesn’t give me a chance to confirm or deny that assertion.

“I think, maybe, if my money and my son aren’t respected enough, I’ll pull David out and go back to Dalton-Davis Prep.” Peyton lets out a few fake tears that she wipes away with the knuckle of one of her talon-length fingernails.

“Well, surely we can give her a chance to apologize.” Doctor Thatcher looks like she might pass out with how ashen her face gets. “The school would like to make it right.”

“No. I don’t want my David in a place where he’s clearly not being taught.” Peyton shakes her head adamantly .

She means catered to. The smart-ass in my brain cracks another joke.

“Well, Ms. Mancini is in charge of the accelerated program that you wanted David to be a part of, despite my warning otherwise.” Doctor Thatcher looks to me.

Ahhhh, the accelerated program for Kerrianne. The dots start connecting. But also, who insists their kid goes into a special classroom if they’re... no, that’s a dumb question. Peyton fuckin’ Hopkins, obviously.

“I mean, for class numbers, I would be glad to consider switching Kelsey into Ms. Mancini’s classroom.” I step in, trying to help, not knowing if it’s the right move, but at the bare minimum, Peyton Hopkins will get out of this room.

“And who is Kelsey with?” Peyton looks at me, almost hopefully.

“Mrs. —”

“Well, she’s married. I think that’s for the best. I don’t know that David respects a woman of Ms. Mancini’s age who isn’t married.”

Bewilderment, between me and Doctor Thatcher, leads to us both shaking our heads and giving wide-eyed looks.

“Victor.” Peyton puts a hand on my thigh, and I move enough to dislodge it discreetly. “Surely, you know what it’s like being important and trying to run a business and raise a child. You only want what’s best for them.”

Ew. She touched us. My wolf shudders, and I manage to suppress it.

“I know what it’s like to consider professional opinions to make an educated decision for my child.” I don’t agree with her on purpose.

“Thank you so much. You know, I’d love to meet up, we can catch up. I have some great... properties we can see together.” The proposition in Peyton’s tone is poorly masked.

“Unfortunately for you, all my property needs are being met. Though, I wish you the best.” I try a soft smile and fake my phone vibrating in my pocket.

“Oh, I’ve got to take this. Doctor Thatcher, would you send me an email with perhaps the details on Ms. Mancini for a deeper background check and what the accelerated program entails?

But I think if this needs to be an expedited switch, it could be made as early as next week before the optional courses over winter break begin?

And if there’s an issue, we can reevaluate. ”

I had Royal run background checks on everyone in the school, literally everyone, when we looked at transferring Kerrianne here.

But a more thorough one for the person she spends every day with would be an extra precaution I won’t pass on.

.. but for a few days, it can’t possibly hurt for her to be in Ms. Mancini’s class.

“Of course. I appreciate your flexibility.” Doctor Thatcher stands to walk me out.

I beat her to the door and head out into the main office, letting out a sigh.

The women working the front desk snicker. The closest one to me, a little louder than perhaps she should be, says, “She has that effect on people.”

Well, I knew it would be a difficult conversation about Kerrianne’s behavior as she was being overly helpful, independent, and talkative, but that wasn’t what I expected. The first choice to fix it, popping her into another classroom, seems straightforward.

I text Royal.

Valor:

Little raptor is moving to a new classroom. I’ll have details. Need a background check on the new teacher.

Per usual, Royal is glued to his phone:

Royal:

Sounds like a plan. You’re ready to go hunting or am I going?

A picture comes through of Kerrianne wearing one of Royal’s headsets, intensely focused on something off camera. The headset is ill fitting, but the one in her size ‘didn’t feel right,’ and really, she likes using Royal’s and feeling big, so I didn’t argue.

Valor:

Promise me I’ll be back for Thanksgiving?

Royal:

You’ll be back by Thanksgiving and you’re the best older brother ever.

Remember this when you have a pup, and I kidnap it rather than letting you stay home with it.