He was head-to-head with Asshole, having stepped in front of me to wedge between us.
“Two minutes. I’m told you both arrived twofeckingminutes ago. And you’re already at each other’s throats!”
The asshole simply shrugged, looking bored.
Lochlainn then turned to me, an eyebrow raised.
“Hey! Don’t look at me! He was the arrogant ass who started it!” I pointed my finger indignantly.
Shaking his head with a grunt, Lochlainn looked over his shoulder. With a quick nod, two of his men started flanking us.
I recognized them immediately.
Finley and Keeffe. They were brothers, and also Lochlainn’s cousins. Both Luckmen—otherwise known as mobsters,thugs,orhooligans, according to David. They each had ruggedly handsome features, but their height and broadness were what made them menacing.
Keeffe had dark copper hair, light eyes, and a scruff five-o-clock shadow. I had only met him once before.
But Finley, I knew him all too well. His golden hair, short beard, and green puppy eyes were fitting for his sweet personality. He was a part-time student at the Institute mostly taking business courses but also attended my Human Studies course. As Lochlainn’s cousin, he wanted to earn his way up into the family business—casino management, amongotherthings. But the Luckman gig didn’t seem fitting for him. He was a gentleman, not some thug. The first day I taught my class, he’d defended me when some petty individuals made degrading remarks about my human-upbringing. All it took was one word from him and their mouths sealed shut.
And by students, I meantgrown-ass adults.Considering all of them were older than me. The whole slower-aging thing in this realm was a real mind fuck.
Finley and Keeffe turned and walked past bar tables, headed towards a back door.
“Both of ya, follow me.” Lochlainn instructed.
Grabbing my coat, I followed closely behind.
I didn’t miss the way people instantly parted, making room for him to get by. I also didn’t miss the annoyingpresenceat my back, who was also tagging along.
After a few openings of doors, and a couple turns down empty hallways, we made it to Lochlainn’s hoity-toity office.
A rectangular wooden table sat in the middle of the room. The waxy sheen reflected the orb lights from the green hanging lamps above. A studious desk sat on the side of the room, huge bookcases built into the rich, emerald-colored walls acted as bookends.
Lingering in a corner were a few figures. The men immediately took the empty seats at the large table. Mostly faces I didn’t recognize.
I hesitated off to the side, digging my heels into the rough carpet.
Lochlainn eyed me.
I wasn’t scared . . . justuncomfortable.
A piece of me was still that insecure little girl. A girl whose face often betrayed me—displaying emotions like a billboard. Over the years, I’d learned to build a wall around that vulnerable part of me. But every wall has weak spots.
Nevertheless, there was too much testosterone in the room for my liking.
With an amused smirk, Lochlainn pulled out a chair, extending his arm.
He motioned toward it.
“I promise no one’s gonna bite ya, love. Come sit.”
I might have whispered athanksas I walked over to sit in the corner seat, right across from Finley. His smile was sunshine soaking into my skin.
“Hey, professor!” he said with a wink.
More at ease with him nearby, I rolled my eyes.
“Hey, Finley.”
