Page 34 of Convenient Mafia Vows

I don’t want to be the one to rain on her parade, not when she’s already looking at Caleb like he’s some kind of demi-god, but this is one of those occasions when being practical has to reign supreme.

“There are bathing suits in the walk-in closet.” Caleb eyes me coolly. “But swimming will have to wait. We have an appointment at the Lutheran Academy.”

10

CALEB

Victoria—I’verealized that I can’t think of her as Vicky; it just doesn’t fit with what I see when I look at her—meets me in my office wearing a wine-red woolen dress that clings to her in all the right places.

“Is this okay?” She spreads her arms wide so that I can check out the outfit, and all I can see is the swell of her breasts through the material, and the curve of her hips.

“It’s fine.” I have to look away before the bulge in my pants starts telling a different story.

In the car, Abigail sits between us, chatting the entire journey about one of her kindergarten teachers who would bring books into school for her to practice reading in a quiet room, and give her scraps of plastic and wood and allow her to construct whatever she wanted. The kid is bright, but I’m not really paying attention. Each time I look at her, my eyes drift to Victoria’s flushed cheeks and long, dark eyelashes. She isn’t wearing makeup, although the dressing room is stocked with everything that she might need, but her skin is flawless, her hair thick and glossy, and her lips…

I force myself to stare out the window until we arrive.Focus, Caleb, jeez.Other than the brief introduction to Don Dragonetti and Olivia, this is the first time that we will be seen together outside of the Wraith, and even though Brailand Voth, the head teacher, is discreet, other people like to gossip.

So, I’m taken aback when the new head teacher greets us in the modern reception area.

“Catherine Montgomery.” Her handshake is firm, her voice clipped. She has honey-blonde hair rolling in fat waves over her shoulders, clear blue eyes, and classic features, but she pales beside Victoria’s warmth, like a white lily overshadowed by a vibrant gerbera. “The new head teacher,” she adds with a glint of amusement in her eyes.

I had no idea that Brailand Voth had been replaced. Lauren didn’t even mention it when she made the appointment and added it to my diary, and I make a mental note to speak to her when I’m back in the office.

It isn’t until we’re seated around the desk in Catherine Montgomery’s office that she acknowledges Abigail. After introducing herself, she says, “Abigail, do you understand why your parents want you to attend the Lutheran Academy?”

I sense rather than hear Victoria’s gasp when the head teacher uses the word parents. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Ms. Montgomery either.

“Because I can’t go back to kindergarten,” Abigail says.

“Do you want to go back to kindergarten?”

“Is that important?” I interject, and Ms. Montgomery shoots me down with an icy look.

“No.” Abigail swings her legs back and forth under the seat, and I’m reminded that she might be intelligent beyond her years, but she’s still just a little kid.

“Why not?” The head teacher watches her closely.

“Because they said I broke the projector, but they’re lying. I was trying to fix it.”

“Abigail is good with electronic equipment.” Victoria spins a narrow silver band around her finger. An anxiety tell. “She fixes things at home. She knows her way around a laptop too.” Her voice trails off like she has offered too much information already.

“What do you think we can offer her here that she won’t get from kindergarten?” Ms. Montgomery aims the question at Victoria.

“I-wehope that you’ll encourage her to explore what she’s good at. To challenge her strengths.” Victoria swallows, a faint flush creeping up her cheeks.

Ms. Montgomery remains silent, and Victoria squirms in her seat.

Finally, obliged to fill the uncomfortable silence, Victoria says, “Abigail is exceptionally bright, and I don’t want her to be held back.”

“From experience, children find their own way.” The head teacher’s tone is neutral.

“Yes, but they need the right encouragement.” Victoria glances at me as though looking for validation.

“Does she get the support she needs at home?” Ms. Montgomery asks, her focus is still on Victoria.

“Ye-es.”

I wince at the hesitation in Victoria’s voice. Doesn’t she realize that Ms. Montgomery is deliberately trying to intimidate her? She’s picking on her rather than me because she has picked up on Victoria’s vulnerability, but she should know that she’s better than this. My hands ball into fists at the thought that life has knocked her down so many times that she’s forgotten how tall she can stand.

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