That’s the real reason I didn’t want Finn to come. None of this would have felt right. Not when my mother died years ago, and my dad…
Grief stabs my heart, along with regret for what could have been. A few months back, Shane Gallagher’s men found him and his driver Tom murdered, most likely by one of his gangland adversaries.
The only other person I might have wanted at my graduation is Liam, my precious half-brother from my mother’s side and a former army ranger who lives entirely off the grid. We saw each other several weeks ago when we both came to New York for my dad’s memorial service, and I told Liam right then and there not to worry about attending my graduation.
Logistically speaking, Finn’s the only one who could show up today.
Like me, he’s Shane’s kid. He’s also the newly installed leader of the New York City Irish Kings. Though he offered, I didn’t want all his mafia baggage to contaminate my graduation, so I turned him down.
Finn respected my wishes and sent a huge gift basket instead.
So, I’m all alone today.
Even my security detail—two men who trail me from a distance, paid for by the Kings, of course—is gone for the weekend. I told them they didn’t need to attend a silly ceremony and to enjoy some time off.
I’m fine with that. Really.
Having other people around only complicates matters, increasing the possibility of something horrible happening.
After Angelica, that’s a lesson I never let myself forget.
“Trinity Gallagher.”
I pop to my feet, clutching the small box as I march down the white-carpeted aisle to the center stairs that lead onto the stage.
Aurelian faculty members in green-and-white regalia applaud as I cross the stage. From the podium, Dean Pruit beams.
He hands me my diploma with a big open smile that I return as I accept the leather-bound book.
The whole thing feels strangely anticlimactic.
In a few seconds, I’m down the steps on the other side of the platform and free.
Goodbye, college experience.
I pause at the bottom, hopping to the right to stay out of the next student’s way, and just breathe for a second.
I’ve really finished this. Once I leave here, I’ll never step foot on this field again. In a few days, I’ll move away to start my new life, and Trinity Gallagher the undergraduate will be a remnant of the past.
I’m happy. I am. Still, a little sinkhole in my chest opens up as I spin back around to scan over the stadium one final time.
I knew college would come to an end eventually, but Aurelian has been my home for four and a half years. I’ll miss this place.
As my gaze glides across the busy space, I land on one face that stands out.
Like a misplaced gem in a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, a handsome man observes me from the edge of the seating area. I would guess he’s someone’s relative—older brother, sexy cousin—except he’s not smiling or paying heed to any of the other walkers. Maybe he’s a TA?
A powerful, muscular TA with bronze skin, broad shoulders, and striking facial features anchored by a strong, off-center nose.
I suck in a breath. Damn. If I had him as one of my professors, I would’ve never missed a single class, even at eight in the morning.
He’s easily the most attractive man I’ve ever seen in real life. Not a model, sure, but that sharp jaw and sun-kissed skin suggest that he’s exactly my type.
Though I don’t have the time, I allow myself a few seconds to admire him.
As I stare, his eyes shift and settle directly on me. The distance between us obscures the exact color, but the heavy weight of his attention still settles on my shoulders.
A shiver snakes through my body, curling my toes.
