Page 35 of Broken Discipline
“Do you mean to insult me, dear?” she asked.
My skin tingled with nerves. “No, ma’am. I just—”
She shifted a finger forward, pointing at me. “I’m not an idiot, Ramona. You’re the last one to see Bruce. You can pretend all you like, but I know that if he’s gone,youare responsible for his disappearance.”
She and Bruce had the same jawline, the same wrinkles around their eyes. Deep inside of her, panic shifted behind her gaze like she was scared for that little boy she had lost. And I knew that maybe if I told her the truth about waking up in Finn’s bed, it might have given her some clarity, some lightness, or hope, that if I didn’t know the answers, Finn Carter would.
I swallowed hard, lowering my eyes. Fear trickled into my veins, my fingers twitching in my lap. Finn had killed three men to protect me, but Bruce was different. Bruce hadn’t laid a hand on me since our first year together, and though he offered me to others at the Masquerades, he always gave me distance after those nights were over.
Had Finn killed Bruce?
Tension settled on my shoulders, imagining being in Edith’s shoes. If something happened to the twins, it wouldkillme if I didn’t know.
But I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about Finn. Not until I had answers for myself.
She narrowed her eyes at me and I swear she could cut a throat with that stare.
“Every elimination service I contact won’t touch Carter Care. But believe me, child. Once I get Upchurch involved, we’ll find someone. They’ll listen to a Marked Blooms Syndicate board member. And you and those damned brats will be gone.”
My pulse drummed in my ears. I wasn’t a violent person. Even when I had threatened to shoot Finn, I couldn’t do it. And I had always been the subdued wife, playing the part Bruce wanted, but I couldn’t stand by anymore. Edith had threatened my kids, and that unleashed something inside of me.
“If you touch my children,” I said, measuring every word, “I will kill you, Edith.”
Edith opened her mouth, but no words came out. My phone rang and I used that as my exit to leave the Astley Manor. Once I was in my car, I checked the missed call.Fairview Elite Academy.
I called them back, and as the phone rang, Edith stared at me from her front porch, her brows furrowed. I pulled out of the driveway, Chip following close behind.
“Mrs. Carter?” the secretary asked.
“Yes?”
“We’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Larkin and Leon have been taken from the classroom—”
“Who took them?” I said, fear and rage battling inside of me. “Where are they?”
“No, ma’am, nothing like that,” the secretary quickly said. “Actually, they’re both in trouble. Larkin pushed another student, and Leon jumped in after that. I’m afraid it was a rather big brawl for toddlers. They’re waiting in the principal’s office, and you—”
“Are they okay?”
My heart beat so hard in my chest, everything inside of me waiting for the answer. I had no control over their actions, and yet, if I had somehow failed as a parent in teaching them the right thing to do, it would bemy faultthat another kid was hurt. Thatmykids were hurt. And I would never forgive myself for that.
The secretary politely laughed. “Yes, ma’am. Of course. But we do need you to come down here, right away. The other student’s parents are threatening to press charges, and Larkin and Leon have been suspended from class…”
The rest of the conversation was a blur, but I sped as fast as I could to the academy. I entered the lobby like a storm, Larkin’s dark hair laid on her shoulders, her brown eyes cast down, and Leon swished his wavy hair from side to side to entertain himself, his eyes on the floor too.
Their heads were hanging low, but they were okay. I crouched down, throwing my arms around them. They both stiffened.
“Are we in trouble, Mama?” Larkin asked.
I pulled back, looking each of them in the eyes. “You’re all right?” I asked.
“I’m okay,” Leon said.
“Me too. We’re fine,” Larkin added.
“What happened?” I asked. I turned to Larkin. “Can you tell me?”
She looked down at her sparkly sneakers. “I don’t know.”
