Chapter 5

Vince laid a heavy leather binder on the headmaster's desk.

Reviewing the seal of authorization, the headmaster applied his official board stamp onto the bottom page with a heavy thud, sliding the validated transfer file straight to Larkin.

The staff stood in absolute silence.

Larkin took the stamped folder, a smug smile on her face. She turned toward Finn and held out her hand.

"Come along, Finn. The vehicle is waiting."

Finn pulled back, shoes sliding on the floor. "Mommy! I want Mommy!"

Vince stepped into formation beside Larkin, his broad frame blocking my path. He didn't look at me. He was executing his Don's direct instruction.

One of the younger soldiers stepped sideways, quietly blocking my arm with his shoulder. "Step back, ma'am."

Finn strained against the formal escort, reaching toward me. "Mommy!"

Suddenly, Vince's phone buzzed in his coat pocket—a sharp double-vibration.

He reached into his jacket, pulled out his phone, and glanced at the screen. He paused.

Bringing the receiver to his ear, he listened. "...Understood."

Ending the call, he slipped the phone back into his pocket.

Larkin motioned to Finn's escort. "Move along, Vince. Sullivan wants us at the estate in twenty minutes."

Vince didn't move. He glanced at the second soldier, giving a barely noticeable hand signal.

The soldier lowered his head and stepped back from me, clearing my path.

Larkin stopped, looking back at Vince in confusion. "Vince? What are you doing? Complete the escort."

Vince kept his eyes on the floor. "We escort the heir to the vehicle, Ms. Shaw. That is all."

Finn reached out toward me as they guided him through the glass doors into the rain under legal protocol.

"Mommy!"

Vince took two paces toward the doors, then stopped. He glanced back at me, unable to hold my gaze. His eyes dropped to the marble floor, his jaw tight as he took a quiet half-step back, his face completely pale.