Page 32 of Twisted Legacy

“Youcanbe sure I’m gonna stabyou.”

“You can try. But I’ll have you on your crazy ass before you get anywhere near my skin.”

“You think so, tough guy? Let’s test that theory.”

I look down. The doctors here are supposed to be following up on her care, so Holden has access to her infirmary records. The tendons in her shoulder are shot to shit, and she has a fractured wrist, which is supposed to be in a splint. “Where the fuck is your sling and splint?”

“I don’t need it.”

She winces when I tap her shoulder. “You don’t?”

“This is none of your business.”

“Your newfound family status says it is.”

“I don’t have a family.”

I see the sling sticking out the top of her backpack. I grab it, then slip it over her head and cradle her busted arm in it. “Whether you do or not, I’m not going to let you open the school up to a lawsuit because you’re running around here re-injuring yourself while attacking another student.” I tighten the straps and growl, “Leave that on, and wear your fucking splint, or you won’t heal correctly.”

“Why do you even care? If I need more surgery, that’ll just keep me from kicking your ass for a little while longer.”

I lean down, getting in her face. “I’m not afraid of fighting you, Nemesis. Heal up and I’ll gladly meet you in the middle of the ring.”

I lock eyes with her friend. “Get her the hell out of here.”

Layla-Jean doesn’t hesitate to do it, grabbing Thea’s bag and gently grabbing her good elbow, guiding her to the exit. I turn back towards the room. Of course, people are standing around. Some even have their phones out. “If any of this winds up online, you’ll have to deal with me.”

The phones lower and a few go through the motions of deleting the footage. I’ll have Holden run a search just to be sure nobody gets the bright idea to defy me.

I walk back to our table and dig into my food. I don’t really have an appetite and it’s cold, but I have to keep up appearances. Show that little tiff was inconsequential, and we’re in control. I catch a few looks from around the room and hear quiet whispering. They’re probably wondering why we intervened, and why I care if Thea’s breakdown goes viral. It all goes back to The League. We have to explain what her being a legacy means, and the first step in doing that is making sure she gets the same level of respect as every other legacy student at this school.

That means nobody should be daring anyone to harass her, without our say so, and nothing embarrassing goes online. Finn comes back to the table, with two people following him. They place the trays they’re carrying in front of us. It’s the same meal I already have in front of me, but this one is piping hot. “Thanks, man.”

As soon as he sits, Eloise slides down to the end of our table. Changing our dinner hours created a ripple effect. The other legacies did too, as if there’s a rule that we always need to do this meal shit together. We don’t, but once again, it goes back to perception. Eloise asks, “Wanna tell me what the hell that was all about?”

“No.” Finn snaps, before digging into his food.

“What do you mean,no? Why would you jump in and help her after what she did to me?”

With a dismissive snort, he says, “We weren’t looking at the same thing, because she didn’t need any help.”

Eloise drags me into their spat. “You forbade people from sharing the video of her going psycho. I’d call that helping. Violent people shouldn’t be allowed to stay at this school with us. Those videos are the evidence we need to get her kicked out.”

I feel a headache coming on. Who did I piss off in The League that I’m the one dealing with this shit? “Nobody’s kicking her out, and my order stands. If any videos show up online, therewillbe consequences. Same thing if I find out anyone’s threatening or harassing her.”

Eloise won’t let it rest. “She’s a nobody. The Zeta Nu drop out. People can do what they want, remember?”

We have an audience now. More people listening in, trying to get some gossip. Finn looks at me. With a curt nod, I agree with his unspoken question. No time like the present to get this over with. He says, “Who sheis, is Theona LaReaux, from a frozen legacy bloodline, and she’s one of us.”

Chapter21

Thea

I’m avoiding my classesandthe dining hall. I really can’t do school right now. After failing to settle back into any sense of normalcy, I’m willing to concede that I came back too soon. I should still be in my house in Palisade Shores with LJ and Wolfe. Because this place is no good for me.

I don’t know how to process everything that’s happened. I’m mad my aunt and uncle have been lying to me for months.Aunt and uncle.Shit, I can’t even imagine calling them my parents, even though they’ve already transitioned into publicly declaring it. In the week since I tried to skewer that kid in The Rock, I’ve gone from being the outcast at school to being sought out. I wouldn’t say I’m popular, but people are saying hello. It doesn’t make sense. I thought for sure they’d give me a wider berth.

Of course, LJ was happy to explain what sparked the change. Sadly, it wasn’t my display of badassery when I got that twerp on his ass with one good arm.

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