Page 31 of Cruel Legacy

Her friend says in a hushed tone, “Thea, we should go. I don’t want any trouble.”

She ignores the warning and says, “I don’t want any trouble, either. I just wanna finish my drink while you rest your feet before we get out there and dance. I didn’t ask for them to come over here, and if they think standing like a brooding little boy band is gonna turn me into a crying little mouse, they’ve got the wrong girl. In fact, I wish they hadn’t come over here at all, because they’re messing with my vibe.”

She’s not far off about that. We are used to a certain type of girl. The type that falls to their knees to get our attention. Her sitting here, broadcasting to everyone that she’s not intimidated or interested in us, is definitely sending the wrong signals to the people standing around.

I watch as she crosses her ankles and sips her drink like she’s on a beach in Maui. Holden’s hand on my shoulder stops me from hauling her to her feet and pushing her through the fire.

“Really, Thea. I’m done with my drink now so we can go dance.”

With an exaggerated sigh, she stands and helps her friend to her feet. Then smooths out her shirt, dusts off her ass and says, “Fine, but only because they’re playing my song.”

They don’t go far. They’re right on the edge of the crowd, twirling and spinning. When the bitch catches sight of us watching, she tosses her hair over her shoulders, swirls her hips, and flips us off. Someone should break those fingers since she doesn’t have any better uses for them.

“Is it me, or did it seem like she wasn’t flattered by my attention?” Finn asks as the other legacies take up position on the logs and canvas folding chairs behind us.

Glaring at her over the fire, I say, “She might not have wanted it. But now, she’s going to get it.”

“We’re gonna do more than watch her?” Holden asks.

“That’s right. We’re gonna teach her, her place and what it means to find yourself on a legacy heir’s bad side.”

It’ll take some time to come up with the perfect punishment for the bitch in suite C. Luckily, I’ve got nothing but time on my hands. The assignment to watch her will actually come in handy. It’ll give me the data I need to shut her up for good, and it’ll send a message to anyone who thinks backtalk and disrespect of a Trium willeverbe tolerated.

Chapter16

Pax

Most people look forward to their lunch and dinner hour to decompress, but coming to the dining hall makes me feel like I’m on display. It doesn’t help that the table we sit at is in a roped off corner of the room with pretentious clubs led by some of the biggest asshats enrolled here.

It’s one thing to sit as a group because you want to, and another to sit with the same people every day because youhaveto. I like my frat brothers well enough. We get along and have a decent time. I can tolerate the legacy heirs. We’ve been thrust together at various functions and events over the year and we’re all just carving out our spot in the world. It’s the other shit that gets on my nerves.

For instance, the Future Wives Club. Don’t ask me who came up with that ridiculous title. It sounds a lot like theFirst Wives Cluband believe me, it’s close to being true. There are a lot of first and second marriages in our world.

The men marry young and trade their brides in for younger models when crows feet develop, and women toss their husbands to the side because they don’t learn to not get caught with their dick’s in their secretaries’ mouths until they hit their forties.

Either way, there is a very real segment of the female population at this school who are all focused on snagging a husband. There are two tables set aside just for them.

I don’t know what the joining criteria is, aside from having fucked a legacy, but I do know it’s supposed to be exclusive, so not just any used pussy can sit there. I think Finn mentioned there was a point system. Double points if you’ve fucked a Trium.

It’s a new school year and the tables are relatively empty. Until just now, it didn’t even occur to me that a lot of the girls who sat there last year were seniors. That explains the number of save the dates I got in the mail over the summer.

For some, marrying up is wishful thinking and for others, it’s notifit’ll happen, butwhen. For the last two years, the head of this little group of future divorcèes has been Eloise Faulkner. She’s one person who knows her union to a Trium is a sure thing.

Her father has been in negotiations about her marriage to Finn since we were twelve. There are some names in the hat for me, as well. Holden is the only one out of our trio whose family is having trouble finding him potential matches. It says a lot when the guy with a knife fetish gets a bride before the genius, doesn’t it? But it’s all about status and appearance, and people mistakenly think Holden’s social skills are lacking. He doesn’t project the right amount of showmanship, the charisma, the schmoozing, thebullshitting,Finn and I do. He’s too methodical and analytical for all that.

The League has already decided he’ll be one of the players behind the scenes because he’s ineffectual at networking and won’t be able to make deals and alliances that benefit the society. Holden doesn’t care. He’s perfectly happy to sit behind a desk and send emails, or smash some heads in if required.

He’s not off the hook, though. Eventually, a bride will be chosen for him. One the high council approves of. None of us waste our time thinking about a love match. We know the true purpose of a marriage is to create a legitimate heir. That works out fine for me. I push aside all thoughts of loveless marriages and babies. I’m twenty-one and the average age of marriage in my family is thirty. Who they pick for me to settle down with is a worry for another day.

I drag my attention back to what’s happening at my table. My seat gives me a view of the front and side entrances to the cafeteria, and it’s far enough away from Finn and Eloise, who’s sitting over here today. She’s sitting so close to him she’s practically in his lap. I scan the room for the girl he’s been hooking up with since the Fourth of July. She’s on the other side of the room looking like her entire world is going to shit. Ah, that explains it. Playtime with his latest fling has ended. He’s probably using Eloise to send the message.

I don’t know why the discarded Trium tramp looks upset or surprised. This is what Finn does. One minute he and Eloise hate each other and he’s off fucking other people. Then, they get back together. They’re like the poster children for dysfunctional dating habits. He says he’ll have the rest of his life with Eloise, so there’s no reason to limit his options now. Makes total fucking sense if you ask me. And if my dad settles on someone before I’m done with school, I might start fucking around more than I already am, too.

My gaze drifts over to Holden. He looks up from his book as if he can sense me watching him. Before he can ask what I’m thinking, something near the door draws his attention, causing him to stare. I turn to see what he’s looking at.Her.

She’s sitting alone, acting like she’s oblivious to everyone and everything that’s going on around her. No. That’s not the right word. She’s bored. Disinterested in what’s happening. Like she’s better than it all.

It’s been three weeks since school started. Anyone else would have made more than one friend by now, but not her. The only person I ever see her with is the girl from the party. Everyone else is avoiding her. I’m sure it has something to do with our altercation.

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