Page 38 of My Solemn Vow (The Mafia Arrangement #1)
ANTONELLA
BACK TO SCHOOL
I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into school for the optional winter break classes. My entire life has changed but my badge worked fine. There was no substitute listed for my class, and by all accounts, it’s a normal everyday bonus school day.
I don’t know why I was ready for a call to the principal’s office, but I get a visitor instead. Doctor Thatcher pokes her head into the classroom shortly after I send my students to gym class.
“Hello, Mrs. Clark!” She beams at me, nearly startling me as I write the math items we’ll be working on up on the board.
Clark? I freeze, stunned by that statement. As in Kelsey Clark. How the fuck would she know that? I turn to look at her and plaster a smile on my face, hoping my ‘teacher face’ is as good as my ‘Mafia wife face’ and will keep me from broadcasting everything.
“Sorry, Victor, Mr. Clark, sent me an email yesterday explaining things about Kelsey and your very recent wedding. I had no idea you were engaged.” She’s still smiling as she walks into the classroom.
Victor? Oh, wow, he went all out with the pseudonyms. Okay... I don’t know if I’m grateful or angry that Valor sent an email. I guess that depends on how this turns out. “Oh.”
“You snagged a good one. Rich, tech mogul, and handsome. No wonder he’s never paid anyone else the time of day.
But why didn’t he give you a recommendation for the available position?
We could have put Kelsey in your class from day one,” the principal asks, heavily implying the nepotism and buying spots that I already knew took place in institutions like this.
Lie your fucking ass off. I force myself to keep a nonchalant tone. “Well, I didn’t want anyone to think I wasn’t capable of the position. I wanted to earn it. Victor respected that choice. And we were even nervous to have Kelsey in my class.”
“Nonsense. I’d much rather make sure she feels safe.
Poor kid. I know the Appletons lost their manny last year, though that was a bad accident with a zip line.
They pulled their kids for a week. I was shocked Victor will be sending Kelsey back by Wednesday, especially with this being a bonus class.
I would assume he’d wait until the new year.
You must have a new bodyguard or someone in the works for her?
” The principal keeps rambling, not even letting me breathe and answer the question.
“Well, regardless. Congratulations. Victor is quite the catch. Please let us know if you’re interested in moving up in classes with her or want to remain in the second grade.
We don’t mind either way, especially since Victor’s contribution to enhance security at the school has really resonated with the school board and brought in some well-influenced families. ”
I’m still slack jawed and not even sure how to cut in to this.
Doctor Thatcher’s watch beeps. “Meeting with the board.” She heads out of my classroom in a whirlwind with a wave over her shoulder. “Gotta get going!”
I’m stunned and shocked until I see why.
Valor is standing in the hallway. She’s barely out the door when he strides in like he owns the place, which... given he’s literally a major donor to the school, I guess he does .
He approaches and places his hands on my hips, holding me to him. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh?” I look at him, raising an eyebrow. “What for?”
“Well, I figured you’d be a little angry that I meddled in your school life but —”
I shake my head. “I’m appreciative that you have no problem with me working.
It’s fine. It also seems like you’re taking care of literally everything in my life, so that’s an added perk I hadn’t anticipated.
It’s like when your friend says, ‘I planned a whole trip,’ and you get to go along and see the sights. ”
“Well, I would promise not to be so overbearing, but it’s not going to happen.” Valor smiles and gives me a quick peck on the lips. “I came to give you this. I don’t like not being able to reach you.”
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 of his 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. Our driver.” 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 others remote 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.