Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
RILEY
I’m perched at the kitchen island with my laptop open in front of me, bouncing my leg as I stare at the university portal on the screen.
The cursor blinks in the password box, taunting me for being such a coward.
“I feel sick.”
Kieran stands in front of the coffee machine grinding beans, wearing nothing but a pair of black joggers slung low on his hips.
I’m so stressed by the academic life-or-death moment I’m about to face that I can’t even find it in me to admire how good he looks.
“Are you sure caffeine is a good idea right now?” He leans against the counter, folding his arms over his muscled chest.
But when I stare daggers at him, he quickly pulls a second mug out of the cupboard and pours some milk into the jug to froth. “So demanding.”
“I’m allowed to be. For all I know, this day could be my last.”
Kieran chuckles. “You’re not dying, Riley.”
“I might as well be. If I fail my exams, I’ll be kicked out of school, and then I’ll not only be homeless, but ‘collegeless’ with no job prospects other than working as a barista, and I’m pretty sure I can’t survive in New York on a Starbucks wage.”
When I look up, Kieran is staring at me.
I frown. “What?”
“You’re not homeless.”
I shrug. “I mean, technically I am. I don’t live at home anymore, and I’m basically just squatting here until—”
“Until what?”
My mouth opens and closes several times, but I realize I don’t have an answer to his question.
I hadn’t thought about the future much beyond asking the Sullivans for help and finishing my finals. But I’ve achieved both of those things.
“You’re not homeless. This—" He signals to the penthouse around us. “—is your home.”
My stomach flutters. “But—”
“But nothing. Whatever happens with your college results, you’ll have a roof over your head and a husband who is not only insanely attractive, but also mind-blowing in bed.”
I laugh. “Well, in that case, screw college. It sounds like I’ve got everything I need already.”
Kieran winks, and that fluttering comes alive once again in my stomach.
He sets my coffee in front of me, sliding onto the vacant stool. “I don’t know why you’re so worried. You already know you’ve smashed it.”
I scowl at him. “Easy for you to say. You’ve never had to sit here and—”
“—Ace your finals without even breaking a sweat?” He nudges my knee with his.
I narrow my eyes as I reach for my coffee. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, you married me.” He takes a slow sip of his espresso. “Tell you what, would it help if I said you could meet Lucy for coffee this afternoon?”
Suspicion instantly replaces my nerves, and I swivel in my seat to face him head-on.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“But I thought…”
“I met with Sean a few days ago, and let’s just say, he’s promised to back off. So, I think it will be all right for you to meet with Lucy, if Jace goes with you.”
I should be over the moon at the idea of heading out into society, but all I can focus on is the fact that Kieran met with Sean O’Keefe and I had no idea.
What if something had happened, and he was killed?
The thought sends a chill down my spine.
“Why didn’t you tell me you met with O’Keefe?”
“Because I knew you would freak out.”
“No shit, Kieran. He could have killed you.”
Kieran rolls his eyes. “I’m insulted by how little faith you have in me.”
“Be serious.”
“I am being serious. I have something on him that will make him think twice about making a move on any member of my family, you included.”
Kieran’s dark eyes linger on mine, and my breath catches under the intensity of his gaze.
The alarm on my phone buzzes, letting me know that the results have been posted.
I only have space in my brain for one catastrophe right now, so Sean O’Keefe will just have to wait until I know whether or not I’ve failed my exams.
“This is it.” I peel my eyes away from Kieran and refresh my browser.
His hand moves to the back of my neck and gently massages it as I scroll through my results as the nerves slowly morph into excitement.
I throw my arms around Kieran’s neck and almost knock him off his stool. “I passed! I actually passed!”
He chuckles in my ear as he wraps his strong arms around me and holds me tightly. “I knew you could do it.”
After Kieran and I celebrate my results right there on the kitchen island, I shower and get ready.
When I step out of the elevator down in the parking garage, Jace is waiting for me. He’s leaning against the blacked-out SUV, and his all-black ensemble makes him blend in against the paintwork.
“You’re going to burst into flames wearing a suit in this heat.”
He holds the door open for me.
“It’s part of the job.” He closes the door and climbs behind the wheel.
When we pull up outside Lucy’s building, she’s already waiting outside, practically bouncing up and down on her toes as she clutches her Columbia tote bag over her shoulder.
“We’re chauffeured now?” She slides into the backseat. “You’re moving up in the world, Riles.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Jace grumbles from the front seat, and I laugh.
“So, the all-powerful husband granted you temporary freedom?”
“He was hoping it would take my mind off the exam result nerves.”
“Nerves? Why were you nervous? You’ve never failed an exam in your life!”
“No, but…” I fiddle with the ring on my finger.
I put it back on after the night Kieran showed me how he would have taken my virginity, and ever since that night, it feels so much more significant. No longer is it a symbol of the deal I struck with the Sullivans, but a symbol of how Kieran feels about me.
“I was more distracted than normal.”
“If you ever get married again, maybe don’t schedule it during finals week?”
I chuckle. “I’ll try to bear that in mind.”
Jace drops the two of us outside a small independent café that Lucy and I first went to on our first day of college, so it felt like a fitting place to celebrate surviving this year.
Lucy groans as she follows me inside. “I was hoping Jace would join us.”
“Kieran says he has to stay parked outside. That’s the deal.”
“So sad.” She looks longingly out of the window.
We both order a matcha and a couple of pastries to share and settle at a table tucked away in the corner.
“Can you believe that in less than a year we’ll be done with college?” I break off a piece of an almond croissant.
Lucy nods, but she’s stirring her matcha, looking a lot less happy than she did in the car ride over here.
“What’s wrong?”
She hesitates, her eyes darting briefly toward the window as her throat bobs. “If I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone?”
“Cross my heart.”
“I’m serious, Riley. Not even Kieran.”
“I’m a little insulted that you would even suggest such a thing. But yes, I promise not to tell Kieran.”
Lucy quickly takes a bite of one of the pastries before finally meeting my eyes.
“I’ve been seeing someone.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really? Who?”
“A professor…”
“As in one of our professors?”
Lucy nods.
“Oh… Whoa, okay. Well, I’m happy for you—”
“I broke it off last night, but I think that was a mistake. Because I think…I’m in love with him.”
I nod as I try to think of something supportive to say.
Dating a professor isn’t forbidden, but it’s not exactly encouraged either. Blurring the boundaries between student and teacher can be tricky, and from the look of devastation on Lucy’s face, she’s in deep.
“Oh, Luce.” I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. “Do you want to talk through it?”
“Not really. I just wanted to get it off my chest because I thought it would make me feel better, but I actually feel worse.”
“Want me to distract you?” I pull my hand away and push both plates of pastries toward her. “Or do you want to eat your feelings?”
“Both.” Lucy takes a huge bite of the almond croissant.
“Okay, well, I might have some news…”
“Oh?” Lucy’s eyes brighten instantly as she takes another bite.
I hesitate, suddenly feeling shy as I stir my drink with the paper straw.
“Kieran and I are… Well, I’m not exactly sure what we are, but we’re something.”
Lucy breaks into a huge grin as she claps her hands together. “Riley! That’s amazing.”
“You think?”
“Of course!”
I laugh. “That’s not the response I thought I’d get. I was expecting a lecture.”
“Well, I think I might have been wrong about Kieran. He seems to be stepping up. Besides, it’s clear you’ve liked him for a while, so I’m happy that you’re happy.”
“I didn’t think it was that obvious,” I mumble, and Lucy laughs.
“Girl, you’re an open book. But…”
“But what?”
“I mean, does this not complicate things a little?”
“How so?”
Lucy brushes a few flakes of pastry off the table as she avoids my gaze.
“Lucy?”
“Your relationship with Kieran started out as a deal. One where he offered you protection in exchange for dirt on Sean. Dirt which I’m pretty sure you’re still hoarding away?”
“I know. It’s been weighing on my mind ever since Kieran and I started getting closer.”
“So, what’s stopping you from handing it over?”
I shrug, unsure how to put my fears into words. “Maybe I’m not ready to find out what happens after I give it to him. What if I hand it over and then Kieran tosses me aside?”
Lucy's lips curve into a knowing smile. “Or maybe Kieran’s the one who’s not ready to find out what happens after.”
That catches me off guard. “You think so?”
Lucy shrugs. “He could have asked for the evidence by now, but he hasn’t, so there must be a reason.”
I can’t tell if that makes me feel better or worse. “I guess…”
“But if you’re worried about it, just ask him, Riley. I’m sure he’ll give you an honest answer.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I mumble.
At the two-hour mark, Lucy and I promptly leave the café after gouging ourselves on caffeine and sugar and settle back into the safety of the SUV.
Even though Kieran has a tracker on my phone, I still send him a message to let him know I’m on my way home.
Kieran: I’m in a meeting but will be home in an hour. I miss you, little dove x
Lucy peers over my shoulder. “You guys make me gag.”
“That’s what you get for reading people’s private text messages.”
Back at the penthouse, I curl up on the couch and decide to get a head start on the reading list for my fall semester when my inbox dings with an email from one of my professors.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Internship Opportunity
Hi Riley,
I wanted to reach out with an exciting opportunity that I think would be a perfect fit for you.
A good friend of mine, Ross Lever, is running a structured internship program starting next semester.
The role would involve one day per week of hands-on experience in business analysis and strategic planning.
Given your academic achievements and dedication, I strongly encourage you to apply. This internship could significantly enhance your job prospects after graduation.
If you’re interested, please let me know, and I can facilitate an introduction.
Best regards,
Dominic
Department of Business Studies
Columbia University
“Oh, my god!”
The elevator opens, and Kieran steps out.
“What is it?” He drops his jacket on the floor and rushes over to the couch. “Riley, what’s wrong?”
I jump to my feet and practically shove my laptop into his face. “My professor wants me to apply for this internship with Ross Lever!”
I bounce up and down on my toes.
“As in Lever Industries?” Kieran frowns. He takes my laptop and quickly scans the email. “Holy shit, this is huge.”
“I know!”
“You’re going to accept it, right?”
“I think so. I mean, it's only one day a week, but…it would still be a lot of work. I don’t know if I can juggle it with everything else.”
Kieran sets the laptop down on the couch before wrapping his arms around me.
“If anyone can do it, you can.” He kisses my temple. “And it sounds like this could really set you up for after graduation.”
I sink my fingers into his shirt and inhale the scent of his musky cologne. “It’s scary. I’m so close to finishing my course, and I want to get out there and work, but…”
“But you don’t know what to expect yet.”
“Exactly.”
Kieran pulls back but keeps his hands firmly on my shoulders to ground me as his dark eyes search mine.
“Then take this opportunity. Think of it as a trial run to see how you’ll handle the real thing.”
“You really think I can do this?”
“I know you can. And if it doesn't work out, you could always take over Ronan’s job as head of the Sullivan empire.”
I laugh, shaking my head as Kieran’s eyes crinkle with amusement. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re amazing.” He bends down to kiss me.