Page 127 of Forced Vows

"And well, your professors have been encouraged to curtail any gossip about you during class."

Huh. This has my almost fiancé's bloody thumbprint all over it.

Does he think getting me back into school for the last week of classes makes up for losing my senior year and my degree?

Not that we talked about that last night. But there's no way I'm attending classes in person as an underboss's wife. Catalina takes online classes, but I don't know how I can do my senior year that way.

I barely got any sleep last night, trying to figure out a way and I still don't have any answers.

But if Miceli donated a single penny to the school to make this phone call happen, I'm going to empty Pusheen's litter box onto the driver's seat of his McLaren Speedtail.

"Thanks for letting me know, Dean Howell."

"So, you'll be back tomorrow?"

This sounds more like threats than bribery, but even Miceli isn't going to threaten the dean with physical violence.

Is he?

"I'll be there." This might be my last week at college.

If it is, I'm going to make sure I get every minute out of it.

Wednesday

"Okay, spill. You grew up in the mob?" Carrie drops her plate with a BLT and fries onto the table and sits down in the booth across from me. "I thought you might be secret royalty, but the mob?"

"I can neither confirm or deny." Taking a bite of nachos, I watch for the others.

Traci is on her way over with her favorite Mediterranean salad, but Aleks is in line for a protein smoothie and Goodwin is waiting for her plate of Kung Pao Chicken.

"Come on." Carrie makes a gimme gesture with her hand. "Tell me something."

"In some circles, I'm considered a princess if that makes you feel better." I scarf down another chip loaded with cheese, taco meat and a slice of jalapeno.

Carrie's eyes round. "You mean mob princess is really a thing?"

"I'm not saying I have any syndicate connections, but it's a thing."

"Oh, girl. What the actual fuck?" Traci slides into the booth next to Carrie, stealing a fry from her plate. "Where were you yesterday?"

Carrie returns the favor, grabbing a cucumber slice from Traci's bowl.

"In light of the rumors circulating about me the dean thought I should stay home for a day." I'd thought indefinitely, but he'd personally called me late yesterday afternoon to apologize for the supposed misunderstanding.

"That douche-canoe!" Traci points her fork in the general direction of the administrative building.

Carrie's blonde head leans forward and she whispers, "Did your uncle threaten him?"

I roll my eyes. "Not likely. You know I wouldn't even be here if my dad hadn't set the tuition money aside for me."

Uncle Brogan has never attended a single one of my performances and my friends know it.

"What did I miss?" Aleks slides into the booth beside me.

He's been buffing up and I have to scoot over so as not to get squished by his broad shoulders.

"Nothing," I mutter.

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