Page 70 of Cruel Legacy

He unlocks the car and starts apologizing about the condition of his used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. I have no idea why. It’s old, but it runs and I can see he’s putting some time and effort into fixing it up. He tries to pretend he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, when I say his car will be badass when it’s finally race ready.

“Dude, this car was made for racing. If that’s not your end game, then this beauty is suffering in your hands.”

He chuckles. “Okay, you got me. I’m fixing it up, and I might be trying to find a way to make it faster. I’m actually an aeronautical engineering major, and this is going to be my end-of-year project.”

“There’s a big difference between cars and planes.”

“Yup, but I’m trying to figure out how to merge the two. Make this car faster, and ride so smooth, like it’s flying.”

“And the body work?”

“That’s a bit of a hobby. Me and my buddy are doing it. That’s why I’m working at the hotel. My old man isn’t exactly supportive of this, so I earn my own money to pay for parts and supplies.” He pulls up to the gate just outside of campus and turns to look at me. “And speaking of which, I’d appreciate if you don’t mention it.”

“The car or the job?”

“The job. And the car.”

I arch a brow. “Should I just forget I ever met you, too?”

“Nope. That part I want everyone to know about.”

My lips twitch, but I refrain from commenting.

“The car thing, like I said, it’s my end-of-year project and I don’t want people getting wind of it. As for the job…”

“Hey whatever reason you don’t want people knowing, it’s your business.” I pull the door handle to let myself out. “Thanks for the ride.”

I walk over to the Zeta Nu house to find my shit. It better be there. I let myself inside and spot the table right away. Snatching my purse off of it and checking to make sure my phone, ID and cash are still inside. I have a missed text from LJ asking where I am. It was sent hours ago, meaning she got back before me. Good for her. I shoot off a response, letting her know I’m just getting back and heading to my dorm and will call her tomorrow.

Once I reach Vale Tower, I kick off my shoes again. I promised my feet a soak, but I’m too tired tonight. It’ll have to wait until morning.

Chapter34

Pax

“Zeta Nu had their meet and greet last night.” Finn says, sliding into the chair beside me. They’re always the last sorority to do a meet and greet, and what happens is a well kept secret. Unless you’re us. Finn always finds out what the houses are doing.

“How did it go?”

“They dropped everyone off at different parts of town and took their shit. They had to find their way back to campus before sunrise. Three of the invitees cried and refused to participate.”

“Anyone important?” We always take note of who’s being weeded out. Legacies that can’t cut it find their status plummets pretty quickly. It’s hard to rebuild your reputation when you’re labeled weak and a quitter.

“Nobody of any relevance, though I saw an interesting name on the list.”

“Who was that?”

“Thea.”

Holden looks up from his tablet and says, “She doesn’t strike me as a sorority girl.”

“Her little friend is on the list, too. They’ve been going to all the mixers together. I guess they’ve been waiting for this. Zeta Nu is the best sorority on campus.”

I look back down at my phone and chuckle. “Let me guess. They didn’t make it back?”

“Oh, they did. Thea was dumped further away than anyone. Out in Palisades Shores and got back to campus before the deadline. She’s currently ranked as number twenty out of forty-seven remaining girls.”

That means nothing. If they had to make their way back to campus without money or a phone, and she came in twenty-seventh, that means she hitchhiked. Stupid and dangerous, and one more reason to suspect she’s here on a job. Normal girls don’t put themselves and their families at risk like that.

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