Page 88 of Sins of Innocence

It's nothing I don't know, but I'm still a little surprised they're talking family stuff like this in front of me. Not that Kara's ever held her opinions in when the security team is around and I was on that team for a long time, but this feels different.

More like I'm being accepted into their confidences.

It feels like the right time to say, "My daughter told me something disturbing this morning."

His daughter? Fiona mouths to Kara.

Ignoring the byplay, I tell them about Neeve's trouble at school, who that trouble is with and what I plan to do about it.

"It could be a coincidence," Kara says and then sighs. "But that's not likely. I really hate that parents use their children this way."

Yeah. Not a coincidence. Not when one of the girls and one of the boys that have taunted my daughter the most are siblings to two of the boys who attacked Sadie.

I confirmed that while getting the full list of names of the kids who had been calling Neeve names. Lily relished telling me every single kid's name who used the word bastard in reference to my daughter.

That little girl is out for blood. She'll make a good soldier one day. Hell, she'll probably end up a lieutenant.

Like me.

Damn. I'm about to become one of the mob's top lieutenants. Reaching that rank in the Army would never have felt this right.

"Even da wouldn't have done that," Fiona says, revealing a wealth of information about what it was like to be raised as Brogan Shaughnessy's daughter.

"Not when we were kids anyway," Kara agrees with a cynical twist to her lips.

Fiona frowns at her sister. "He's worked really hard to change his relationship with us."

"He has," Kara agrees. "But that doesn't negate the way he treated us before."

"You're meeting with them and their parents after school?" Mick asks.

"At St. Patrick's Elementary," I agree. "I'll be done in time for the sentencing."

Which is when I confront the fathers of Sadie's attackers and make sure they pay for raising their boys to be little asswipes. I'll handle her principal after the emergency board meeting Kara called. Where I'm damn sure he'll be removed from his position and whoever takes his place will be someone willing to institute antibullying training for staff, as well as a program for the students to receive their own training.

I'll make sure the board knows what I expect before the meeting happens, so Áine doesn't have to deal with any arguments against it they might feel like making.

It wouldn't do for Mark Bentley to go missing beforehand. Someone might think the mob was responsible. He's leaving New York though. Whether it's of his own accord, or in a body bag will be determined by how he reacts to the little talk I plan to have with him.

Bentley isn't going to work in education ever again. If he accepts that and moves out of state immediately, he'll live. If his death becomes necessary, there won't be a body to find, and Mick won't be forced to punish me for the unsanctioned hit.

He told Áine he would kill me if I killed Kenneth before it was sanctioned. I don't believe my boss would do that, but exerting that extra bit of pressure to get her to agree to the speedy marriage was smart.

Punish me? That he would do. And I would submit to it because that's how the chain of command works when your loyal to your CO.

The men he's sentencing tonight don't understand that. There's a lot they don't understand. They think tonight is going to be a meeting, but it's not. It's not even really a trial, though Mick will be passing judgment and sentencing both the boys and their parents. Charges will be laid though and Mick may even give the conspiring fathers an opportunity to speak before he does it.

No words on their part will change the outcome that has already been determined and approved by the boss. Brogan will be on standby to join us via video call if the mobsters dare to question their underboss's authority.

It's his first step in handing over the reins to Mick at the Labor Day picnic.

"When you're on your way to the estate, call me with your report on the meeting at St. Patrick's," Mick orders.

"Copy that." I head out of the room.

I get a flurry of texts from Ethan, Torch and McLaren on the way to my SUV.

Ethan: KS just arrived at the mall in Queens where your family is shopping with McLaren.