Page 64 of Cruel Legacy

That’s right,son, I think cosigning on Van’s joke. “Okay, so if you didn’t know I work here and aren’t about to get me fired, why are you here?”

He holds up a basket. “I came to have lunch with my mom.”

My gaze flicks back over to Van. Shut the front door.Son, as in real son. I quickly flip from shocked to mad. Now I’m glaring at Van. She’s been withholding vital information fromme.Did she know who I was that first night? Did he tell her to make sure I got back to campus? She must see the suspicion on my face.

“Thea, I’m just as shocked to learn of Scott’s connection to you as you are his connection to me.” She soothes. “I had no idea Scott and Moira had found you, and that you were here.”

My head whips back over to my uncle. “You didn’t tell your mother?”

“Moira and I have been busy, and I thought this was a discussion to have in person, for obvious reasons.”

I don’t know what those obvious reasons are, but Van must because she’s nodding like what he says makes sense. She’s Scott’s mother. Moira’s mother-in-law. Does that mean she knows who my dad is, too? If she was like a mom to her, that means she must’ve confided in her, right? I wanna ask her, but not with Scott standing here.

Van and Scott share a look and she says, “Why don’t you join us, Thea?”

“Nah, that’s okay. You enjoy your mother-son date. I was just about to head back to campus, anyway. I’ve got a lot of homework to do.”

She nods, and I appreciate her not being pushy about it. “Oh, Thea…” she calls out before I’ve taken more than a few steps. I turn slowly. This is it. I’m about to be fired. “Make sure you check with Marguerite about next week’s schedule before you leave.”

“I still work here?”

She snorts. “Of course. Just because Scott works at an uber snooty skyscraper or whatever doesn’t mean I’m giving up one of the best workers I have.”

I stare at Scott, waiting for him to object. He leans forward, kisses his mother’s temple, and says, “Thea, this hotel has been in my father’s family for generations, and I’m glad you’re working here. Get back to campus safely.”

There’s no trace of sarcasm in any of that. He actually means it. Will wonders never cease? Maybe this will be the common ground he and I can find to stop sniping at each other.

“Thank you, and um, enjoy your lunch.”

* * *

My mind drifts as I wait in line. I think about Van and Scott being related, the good morning texts I’ve been getting from Moira, and how I’m completely turned off by the men in this school. Austin, being the exception, but I only see him as a friend.

That thought segues to Finn, who’s giving me whiplash. Two weeks ago, he and his buddies were fucking with my accounts, and now he’s threatening to strip and prove he’s packing.

He was trying to call my bluff and I was prepared to call his. I had no intentions of stopping him, but then the fun police interrupted us. Party poopers.

I haven’t seen any of them in two days. Finn hasn’t even been on his balcony. Thank, god. I’ve missed the feeling of peace I get from watching the sun set. After my run-in with Michael in the alley I was desperately needing those moments of inner reflection staring out at the trees.

Today is my third day back in the dining hall. I’m in line waiting for my food when a familiar silence engulfs the room. I know without turning around that the Coxsuckers have arrived.

When the talking resumes, I take it to mean they’ve made their way to their seats. There’s a scuffle behind me and I’m jostled around so hard that I’m almost pushed out of place. Pax and Holden come into view.

Seeing them tells me everything I need to know about what the shoving was all about. They were pushing people out of the way to get to the front of the line. “Fucking. Assholes.”

The guy in front of me shoots a look over his shoulder, but doesn’t agree or complain about them cutting the line. “You don’t agree? We’ve been standing here for like ten minutes and here they come getting food without having to wait. That’s cool. Pretend not to see it. My eyes work, and I say they’refucking assholes for cutting!” I yell that last part to make sure they hear me.

“Pet, you make my dick so fucking hard with all these suggestions. I didn’t think you were into that, but yes, I would love to fuck your asshole while I’m cutting something.”

I whip around to find Finn standing behind me, a knife in one hand, a lock of my hair in the other. “Don’t even think about it, Number Three.”

He drops my hair with an unbothered shrug. “Shouldn’t you be up there exerting your will on everyone with your boys?”

“Probably, but I’m having fun back here. Things look different from this angle.” He tips his head to the side, checking out my ass.

“You mean in the back of the line?” I ask, the question laced with sarcasm.

“Yes. That. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to do it.” He leans his chin on my shoulder. “What do you do while you’re waiting?”

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