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"But I understand the provocation." Lying wasn't how the pack worked. And Bryan was old enough to know that understanding didn't mean approval.
His nephew's face melted into a smile. "I knew you would." He threw his arms around Zach's neck.
Zach hugged that small, sturdy body and waited until Bryan drew back before asking, "Why didn't you call your dad? He would've understood, too." Joe ran a bar that was a favorite gathering place for the pack, but he was also a fellow soldier.
"He's watching Liam's soccer game today. I didn't want to mess that up—Liam's been practicing his kicks for like a month."
Zach ruffled his nephew's hair. "You're a good kid, JB." Standing, he nodded at the cubbyholes that lined the back of the classroom. "Grab your stuff while I go sort this out with Ms. Kildaire."
Bryan grabbed his hand. "You won't—"
"I won't say anything. Promise."
Relaxing, Bryan went to a cubby to their right and began to gather his things.
Zach watched Annie rise from her chair as he walked over and had to fight the urge to growl that she sit back down. He'd noticed her shakiness earlier—her left leg was bothering her. But if he said what he wanted to, he'd be as bad as that runt, Morgan. Annie Kildaire had to be perfectly capable if she was running a classroom of seven-year-olds.
"Did he tell you?" she asked in that husky voice that brushed like black velvet over his skin. The cat stretched out, asking for more. Being stroked by Ms. Kildaire, he thought, both sides of him in agreement, might just be the best Christmas present ever.
"Yes, he gave up the goods."
She waited. "And?"
"And I can't tell you." He watched her brow furrow, her lips purse. He couldn't decide if he wanted to b
ite down on that full lower lip or lick the upper one.
"Mr. . . . Zach."
"Quinn," he supplied. "Zach Quinn."
Her cheeks flared with little red spots of temper. "Mr. Quinn, Bryan is a child. I expect you to act like an adult."
Oh, he had plenty of plans to act like an adult around Ms. Kildaire. "I promised JB."
She stared at him, then blew out a breath. "And promises are to be kept."
"Yes."
"What do you suggest I do?" She folded her arms. "I have to punish him, and I can't do that without knowing why he did what he did."
"I'll take care of it." Bryan had hit someone, and his nephew knew he'd be disciplined for it, provocation or not. But some things, Zach knew, were worth fighting over. "I'll make sure the punishment fits the crime."
"It's a school matter."
"It's a leopard matter."
Chapter 2
Understanding filtered into those pretty melted-chocolate eyes. "He's usually so well controlled, I forget he's only seven."
"Boy'll grow up to be one of the dominants, probably a soldier." He glanced behind him. "Ready?"
Bryan nodded, backpack slung over his shoulder. "Yep."
Zach watched as his nephew walked up to the desk and said, "I'm sorry I dis—"a frown of concentration—"disrupted the classroom. But I'm not sorry I hit Morgan."
Zach was looking at Annie and saw her struggle to hide a smile. "That's not a very good attitude, Bryan."
