Page 48 of Exacting Vengeance

“You got it.” Deke got out of Kyle’s SUV, then drove off in his.

Kyle pulled up and parked in front of St. Nicholas Church. After shutting off the engine, he got out and looked up at the distinctive gold onion domes and narrow stained glass windows. He hoped the windows didn’t crack and fall apart when he set foot on hallowed ground. The last time he’d been to a church was twelve years ago. For his wife’s funeral.

He jogged up the steps and opened the massive, intricately carved wood door. The interior was dimly lit. Fifty or so pews that looked to be of the same wood as the entry door led to the altar. The pews were empty. A few prayer candles flickered by the altar, casting shadows on the ornate biblical murals on the walls.

He barely remembered Diane’s funeral. The entire day had passed in a surreal blur, like it was happening, just not to him. His brothers and his mother were the only things that had gotten him through that terrible day. The rest of his life had been up to him, and he was failing miserably.

“May I help you?” a slightly accented voice said from behind him.

Kyle spun, surprised someone had managed to sneak up on him. Only thoughts of the past could mire down his normally alert senses. A middle-age man wearing a black suit and clerical collar stood before him, a pleasant smile curving his lips.

“I’m looking for someone,” Kyle said. “Victoria Kelly.”

“Ah, Victoria.” The priest smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Father Sergei. And you are?”

“Kyle,” he said, shaking hands.

“May I ask what this is about?” Father Sergei had used a pleasant enough tone, but Kyle interpreted the question for precisely what it was. Whoever Father Sergei was to Victoria, he was looking out for her. Including protecting her from unwanted strangers. He glanced at his watch. There wasn’t much time to get back into the city for his class.

“Father Sergei,” he said, taking out his badge and flipping it open, “I’m with the FBI. I’m also Victoria’s friend. I’m here to pick her up for an outing we have planned.”

“Well, then. Hmm.” He scratched his chin, clearly debating whether to help him or not. “Follow me.”

The priest didn’t know it, but if he hadn’t decided in Kyle’s favor, he would have searched the entire church to find Victoria. The last thing he was about to do was give her a chance to flee out the back door. He followed the priest down a long dark hallway.

Giggling spilled from an open doorway. Inside the room, several small children sat with Victoria on a large, overstuffed sofa. More kids lying on a rug on the floor rested their heads on pillows. Sunlight shining through a window glinted off Victoria’s hair, bathing her in a coppery halo.

It was just like her. She’d gotten a raw deal but still had love and kindness to give to these children. When she smiled at the youngest child sitting next to her, his heart skipped a beat, and an image flashed before his eyes.

Sitting on a sofa with Victoria. Their child safely snuggled between the two of them and⁠—

He was going out of his mind.

Father Sergei shifted, and the old floorboards creaked.

Victoria stopped reading and looked up. Her mouth fell open. “Kyle, what are you doing here?” She all but jumped off the sofa, setting the book down and rushing to where he stood behind Father Sergei.

“I came to pick you up for our appointment,” Kyle said.

“Oh. I forgot about that.”

Liar. “Then it’s a good thing I didn’t.” From the corner of his eye, he caught the priest watching the back-and-forth conversation. “We’d better get going.”

“Right.” She smiled nervously, turning back to the children, waving. “I have to go, but I’ll see you next week.”

“Bye, Miss Kelly,” several kids said.

She led the way back down the hallway, her movements rigid and brisk, as if she wanted to get out of there fast. Or, get him out of there fast.

“How long have you been working with the kids here?” he asked.

“Oh, a while,” she said over her shoulder, still speed walking down the hall.

“She’s wonderful with them,” Father Sergei said. “She’s also our good luck charm. Since she started volunteering with the children and helping out in the office, donations are up, and the children adore her.”

“I can see that.” And he had. There was no doubting she’d be a good mother.

“Let’s go.” She opened the heavy wood door, waiting for him. “I don’t want to be late. Good bye, Father.” She smiled nervously.