Page 78 of Sins of Innocence

"She may have heard children saying it my d…Neeve didn't."

"Ah. You want to make sure you deal with all the culprits and get that shite nipped in the bud."

That bud is already a flower if my daughter has been hurt by it, but it will stop today and apologies will be made.

"I'm surprised Mr. Wrye didn't contact Áine about this already. He's a stickler for the rules, is Mr. Wrye."

It's Lily who explains why the teacher didn't ask for a meeting with Áine.

"He told the kids to say they were sorry and made them promise not to do it again." The look of cynicism on the little girl's face says just what she thinks of that as an effective deterrent. "The only thing that did was make Neeve not want to tell him when it happened again. He acted like it was no big deal."

My plans to deal with Mr. Wrye take a sharp turn. "No big deal?" I ask.

Lily nods, rolling her eyes. "Neeve thought it was her fault. But it wasn't. Those kids were mean and they should never have said that."

"I agree."

"What are you going to do, Mr. Lleshi?"

Give the children involved and their parents a lesson in manners and vocabulary. "Explain the consequences if it happens again."

Kennedy swallows, looking slightly alarmed. "To the kids?"

"And their parents," I correct.

"And Mr. Wrye?" Lily ask expectantly.

"Yes." Him most of all.

"Can I be there?" Lily asks with a blood thirsty look on her face.

I flick a glance to Kennedy. "We'll be meeting after school."

He looks between me and his daughter and then sighs. "We'll be there too. If you're sure the other parents can make it on short notice like this."

"They will."

Not all of the children involved have a parent in the mob, but enough do that they'll show up simply because they won't want the issue escalated to Brice.

I've got zero doubts the lieutenant above me will have my back. The others won't want their children to be suspended until I get back from California and can meet with them then.

Mrs. Powell is the sister of one of the old-timers on Rory's crew, which gives me all the leverage I need with her, even if she doesn't realize it. Her brother is loyal to the mob and her husband might not be in our ranks, but he works for one of our companies. I'm more than willing to bring whatever pressure is necessary to gain her compliance.

Like Mick told Áine, our world is brutal and unforgiving.

"Is Neeve coming?" Lily asks.

I consider the question. Lily wants to see justice done. Will my petal? I would.

ON COMMS, UNMUTED

Wraith: Meeting with the kids and their parents at 3 pm at St. Patrick's.

Áine: You mean the children who called Neeve that word 🤬 and their parents?

Wraith: Yes.

Áine: I'll be there.