Page 110 of Cruel Legacy

“Yeah. I don’t even recognize that number, and they didn’t leave a message.”

The boss’s shoulders slump, because his second in command is still not getting it even though he’s leaving breadcrumbs for him to follow. If Brick’s this dumb, how did he even get the position? The boss’ face hardens, and he says, “Iamthe message.” Looking at me, he asks, “How do you want to handle this?”

Well, shit, this took a turn. Brick’s eyes widen, and he finally looks at me. “B-Boss.” He stutters the word, as the truth sets in. I wasn’t bluffing about my pull. I mean,I knowI was telling the truth, but I figured that favor I was owed had expired. I hate that I used it on this. But, I guess I can make another deal. I’m sure there’s something they could need help with.

“What’s going on, Dante? Did you smash this bitch or something? And who was on the phone?”

The look on Dante’sface turns deadly. Is he insulted at the idea of fucking me? That’s cute. He’s not exactly my type, but I’m a good fucking lay. I finally decide to be helpful and offer an explanation of what I think is going on. “My guess is the person on the phone from the 725 area code was from the regional office. You know, the folks in the Vegas chapter.”

I leave it at that. I don’t need to go into detail about how me and some of the Skullz moved in the same circles and that I earned a favor. Which brings us to now. It’s up to me what happens with Brick, but I don’t have time or want to get in the middle of Skullz's politics. To Dante, I say, “All I want is for me and my girl to walk out that door, and have all of you forget you ever met us.”

“That’s it?” Dante stares at my face. Yeah, I’m sure I look a hot mess, but I’ve had worse beatings. Not my problem if he has to explain what happened.

“Hey, I’m alive and breathing. I’m not here to get in the middle of your politics. I was only at that flop house to get my girl. Wouldn’t have involved you at all, except negotiations stalled early on in the process.” I point to the door. “I just wanna walk out of here.”

“And what are you gonna say whenhecalls you?”

I’m hoping he won’t call. “I’ll say that it’s all good.”

“You’d do that?” Dante cocks his head to the side, trying to decide if I’m trustworthy. I can see how much of a jam he’s in.

If I say his lieutenant went off book and damn near killed me, he’ll be short a guy. It’s hard enough to find people you can trust. I think that’s even more true for him. I don’t know the dynamics of their relationship, but the look on his face when he first came in makes me think it was more than business.

“It’s already done.” I drag LJ towards the door and shove her through it ahead of me. I don’t stop to look around. I grab her hand and pull her through the crowd and out onto the street. I keep a hold of her until we’re out of the club and in the back of one of the cabs that was idling at the curb.

I keep watch over LJ as she sleeps. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around everything that happened tonight and how she wound up in that situation.

Stupid pranks and initiation tasks are one thing, but intentionally putting people in harm’s way. I can’t let that slide. How did the pledge masters even know to take her to that sort of place, and why were they okay with leaving her there?

I’m mad at myself too. I hate the way I talked to her when I was trying to get us out of that house. She hasn’t said it, but I could see she was actually afraid that I was gonna let them touch her.

“I’m sorry, LJ.” I lean forward, pecking her cheek in a goodbye, before letting myself out of her room. I rub at the ache I feel building in my chest. I didn’t set out to care about her. I tried not to let her get attached. This is why. I’m a terrible friend and hardly ever make decisions that don’t involve fighting back against someone. I know I didn’t select this challenge for her, but I definitely made the experience worse.

I refuse to let any tears fall as I accept the truth. She’s never gonna wanna be my friend again.

Chapter49

Thea

Eloise is a dead woman walking. I storm into Zeta Nu house, letting the doors bang open, announcing my arrival. It’s one thing to plan pranks your initiates have to do to prove they’re worthy to join this psycho slumber party. But actually putting people in danger, that’s just evil.

I’m not even all that mad about what I went through with the Coxsuckers. It was irritating. The pain reliever Holden pumped through my veins definitely numbed the taser, and the attempt to drive me crazy by edging, well that sucked but it was also a little fun. Especially when I refused to cave to their demands and sounded off a final, fuck you, right before the bell rang, ending my test. The look on Pax’s face was priceless. I’d go through it all, just to see it again.

But LJ’s experience wasn’t fun. If she hadn’t been able to call me, then who knows what would have happened. Actually,Iknow what would have happened.

The Infernal Skullz isn’t some wimpy little boys’ club pretending to be tough. They’re the real deal. With chapters in various parts of the Western United States. Different chapters focus on different things as their primary source of income, but theyalldabble in drugs, prostitution, and gambling.

Unlike the Nevada Chapter, the guys here aren’t above forcing someone into it.

I get angry all over again, and let it fuel me as I march towards the back of the house to the little throne room Eloise likes to bark out her shitty orders from. She’s here just like I knew she’d be with her so-called pledge masters. Madison scowls at me, and before she can even ask why I’m not doing the little sorority pledge dance, I cock my hand back and smack Eloise like the bitch she is. The chair rocks sideways, dumping her on the floor.

Madison shrieks, “What the hell do you think you’re doing, pledge? Violence against a Sovereign Sister will cost you twenty pledge points.”

Twenty? That’s it? I could beat the shit out of all of them and still have points to spare. I smile at the thought, but that’s not why I’m here. I whip around to face Eloise.

She gets to her feet, holding her palm against her cheek. I hear the other members and pledges whispering behind me, and saying how much I’m gonna regret my actions.

I have to refrain from jumping on Eloise again, reminding myself this isn’t Nags Creek, and I don’t have to fight dirty to win. Nobody here is jumping in, and I’m going to give her the chance to fight back.Pleaselet her fight back.

---