Page 80 of Cruel Legacy

I turn away from the game to look at him. So far, none of us have had anything interesting to report about the bitch.

“My dad’s been silent so far. He was barely interested when I gave him a copy of her schedule and the background information we have on her.”

Holden looks up from his tablet. “So, can we back off?”

I know he’s worried about the potential fallout from what we’re doing. This favor certainly seems to fall into the gray area of what the bylaws allow.

“You know my father. He won’t let us off the hook until he feels like he’s gotten something useful out of it.”

Useful in this case means tying her back to whoever is trying to infiltrate The League and putting an end to the threat. But I’ve been ordered not to say anything about that until I’m sure that’s what’s happening.

Holden steps closer, holding out his tablet after launching his drone in the air. We all watch the feed. The drone is tracking the guys from Lowell House across campus. They’re so obvious. They’re the only frat that’s not out here playing in this flag football tournament, so of course we want to know what they’re up to.

This is why they’ll never be on our level. They don’t even know how to conduct a stealth mission without rousing suspicion.

I pull my gaze away from the screen to look over at the sidelines. The sororities have sent members to cheer and to provide water and snacks for their brother frats. The wannabe cheerleaders scream and yell their encouragement.

I spot Eloise sitting in a lawn chair inside a tent, with a fan, like she’s too delicate to stand in the heat and yell. That doesn’t stop her from wearing the skimpy little cheerleader outfit, though.

The game ends, and it’s our turn to take the field. Holden will stay and track Lowell House while Finn and I crash into people. Eloise pretends not to notice us. But I don’t miss the way her eyes take us in. Finn’s already got his t-shirt tucked into the waistband of his shorts. I’m keeping mine on. I just got a new tat and need to keep it covered for a few more days.

The other team is already on the field talking shit. Austin’s staring at the sidelines, casually tossing a football in the air. I see the wheels spinning in his head.

“Which one?”

He drags his attention to me, like it’s the last thing he wants to do. “Okay, I’ll bite. Which one, what?”

“Which one did you convince to suck you off if you win?”

He smirks, pointing the football at me. “What’s it matter? You trying to spin it into a consolation prize when you lose?”

I shake my head. “Your father should just rip the bandaid off and tell you there’s no chance of you ever marrying into a legacy family.”

He averts his gaze. His attention snagged by something over my shoulder. I turn to see what he’s staring at. Thea’s standing against the wall watching Austin’s team stretch.

Half of the players are on the football team. Coach will have their asses if they get injured with a hamstring or pulled groin injury. When Thea finally notices Austin, she tips her chin, then sinks down to the ground, her back braced against the wall. She’s here to watch him play. Or should I say, watch him lose.

Austin’s captain of his team, so when the ref calls five minutes to the start of the game, he goes off to gather his squad together.

Finn and I fall in with our captain to get our positions. From where I’m standing, I see Thea still has Austin’s attention. I chastise myself for using that name, but I grudgingly admit I like the way it sounds better than Theona. Finn tips his head in the other team’s direction. He must notice Austin’s interest in her, too.

We come to the line of scrimmage and one of Austin’s teammates says something stupid about us, finally knowing what it feels like to be dominated. It’s a taunt carried over from high school. When all the fragile girls complained, we were too rough. They cried about how we held them down and wouldn’t let them touch us.

That was well before we earned our reputations and were officially declared our generation’s Triumvirate. Before the girls learned, it’s better to keep their mouths shut.

My gaze flicks to Holden. He’s still watching his tablet. That means Lowell House hasn’t finished whatever they’re doing yet. He’ll come onto the field when Finn or I need a break.

I meet Finn’s gaze on my right. He has this wild look in his eyes. I silently communicate what I’m thinking. He tips his head in agreement. Today is a great day to slam these fuckers into the ground.

* * *

Thea

I walk down the path towards the back of the dorm, hoping I’ll find a good spot to sit and watch the game. I saw a bunch of girls heading this way a while ago with umbrellas, tents and chairs. I won’t be sitting anywhere near them.

The idea of being that close to all that glitter makes me itch. But this is a Zeta Nu supported event, and all pledges were told to be here or helping to set up for tonight’s party. LJ is on party detail and I signed up to come out here.

It’s some kind of battle of the frats going on, but Austin is who I’m here to support. I spot him right away and find a spot in the shade against the building that gives me a good view of both sides of the field.

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