Page 127 of Twisted Legacy

He’s got issues with touch. We all know this. The girls on campus gossip about it and they still freak out when he ties their hands.

“I’m fine, Pax and so far Thea respects my boundaries. She didn’t ask me to stay the night and didn’t try to push me into letting her touch me. She keeps her hands where I tell her, bitches and screams at me, and threatens to stab me.”

“And what do you do?”

“I explain in graphic detail everything I want to do to her and sometimes I do it, then I get off on pointing out just how wet she gets for me.”

I can tell he’s getting annoyed at my questions. I’m not trying to get into his business but, it’s been six years since the last time Holden has tried to hook up with a girl on his own.

He hands me a coffee and sits on the couch to put his shoes on. “You ready?”

I jerk my head, yes. We’re having brunch with the legacies that stayed on campus. This’ll be interesting.

Finn’s waiting for us at the elevator, which we ride in uncomfortable silence. When we step into the lobby, Finn asks, “Do we need to fight it out before we go to breakfast?”

Holden’s fingers fly over his phone. Without looking up, he says, “Pax is worried because he caught me coming out of Thea’s room this morning.”

He looks Holden up and down. “His pretty boy face is intact. Were there stab wounds?”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “No.”

“Then whatever happened, Thea was okay with it.”

“The two of you can’t be this naïve. We can’t trust her.”

“It’s not naïveté. I trust Thea to defend herself if she feels threatened or attacked. Holden’s not hurt. He’s not plotting her demise with his online friends on his tablet, and he’s wearing his glasses.”

“Didn’t have time for my contacts.”

Finn grins over at him. “Oh… you overslept? Good for you, man.”

This is monumental news. I want to show him the same support Finn is. I want to be happy for him, but it’s hard to do, because one of us has to be prepared for the worst. Women in our world have proven they’re only loyal to the man with the most power. That means their goal will always be to divide us. Pitting Finn and Holden against each other, and me assuming the role as the voice of reason, is the easiest way to do that.

We enter the dining hall, and I scan the room for Thea. She’s in line waiting for her food, instead of making someone bring it to her. Standing in line is a luxury of time we don’t have.

She carries her tray, and I watch. Waiting to pounce on her. This is the moment she crushes Holden’s tentative trust when she goes to sit at another table or at the end of the table, ignoring him. Or worse, sits next to Finn.

She does none of those things. She drops into the empty seat next to Holden and scowls at Finn, who steals a piece of toast off her plate. Then plugs her ears to drown out the conversation. Holden’s reading his book. Finn’s chattering away, but I keep my eye on her. She doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary until she picks up Holdens coffee cup and drinks from it when she’s finished with hers.

He doesn’t react. He doesn’t complain. He casually turns the page in his book, like sharing his coffee is the most natural thing in the world. Thea finishes eating and leaves without so much as a goodbye. Wait, I lied. She flips me off as she walks by on her way to the trash bin.

Chapter74

Thea

Itake in the room, trying to see if I recognize anyone in the restaurant of the Bianci Hotel. This is a legacy family hot spot, and Moira suggested eating here is the easiest and least obtrusive way to fake like I care about my newly appointed legacy status.

I don’t care, and I’m only here because Van says it sends a message that I’m one of them, which might make them more willing to help me get answers about my attack. I’m here for as long as it takes to eat a meal and then I’m out.

I’m sitting at the bar having a coffee, trying to ignore the old man sitting two seats over who keeps staring at me. Total creep vibes. I roll my eyes at him and wait for the hostess to come back and tell me a table is ready.

“You’re Joshua Laurent’s granddaughter, aren’t you?”

I give the old man my best fuck off face.

“Aren’t you?”

“No.”

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