Page 94 of Twisted Legacy

Finn eyes the knife. “I can see what you’re thinking, and after what happened the last time, I understand your assumption, but it wasn’t us on Mayhem Night.”

“Right, so you’re following me now because…”

Pax snarls, “Because your stupid ass is out here once again, prowling through the woods alone like you’re just asking to get attacked again.”

“Attacked? I thought you said I went through a littlehazing.”

“Or maybe you were out in the woods beating up on yourself. I really don’t give a shit, but we’re responsible for you now, so whatever happened, we’re here to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“I don’t need you babysitting me.”

“Then stop acting like a fucking toddler who’s refusing to eat their peas.”

“If I’m a toddler, what does that make you?”

Finn steps forward. “Thea, what Pax means, is you have to stop operating like you’re unaligned. Until we figure out what happened to you, on Mayhem Night and who drugged you at the last frat party, you shouldn’t be walking around alone. There is safety in numbers. You’re a legacy, and just because you ignore it, won’t make it go away.”

“Do you think if you say that word enough times, it’ll seep in and I’ll automatically start acting like it?”

“Pet, trust me, if I wanted those words to make you do anything, I could. I’d rather give you the choice.” He raises my chin. “But don’t tempt me.”

“Finn…” Holden’s voice holds a note of censure.

“It’s fine, Holden. I said Icould, not that I will. I happen to like her the way she is, and plan to use other ways to persuade her to give in. Ways that we’ve both found enjoyable in the past.” Finn leans in. “You remember some of those things, don’t you, Pet? Like the way you clawed at my back and dug your heels into my ass, as I rode you on the pool table? Or how many times I made you cum that night. What count did we make it up to?”

“What I remember, Finley, is you turning into a full-blown asshole afterwards.”

“You’re right. Shall I drop to my knees right now and start my penance? Lick you until you forgive me?” He lowers to the ground. “Come on, Pet. Punish me.”

He grabs my hips, pulls me to his face, and bites my inner thigh. I feel the sting through my jeans. “I’m gonna stab you in the back of your neck if you don’t let me go. How’s that for punishment?”

He moans, then bites the other thigh. “I know you don’t mean it, so don’t tease me like that.”

I’d forgotten who I was talking to. Stabbing turns him on. Holden steps around us, holding a tablet in his hand, and asks, “What do you remember about what happened that night?”

“Why don’t you man up and tell me what you and your merry band of attackers did to me that night and save me the headache I’ll get trying to remember?”

Instead of deflecting or refusing to answer, he says, “You were in the cemetery, watching the Tao’s crossover ceremony. You turned to leave, but weren’t as stealthy as you thought you were. They started chasing you, but I caught you first and dragged you deeper into the woods.”

None of this sounds familiar. But, it’s exactly what he did the last time. “What happened next? These two were waiting for you to bring someone back and I just happened to be the person you grabbed?”

“I gave you the option to run. I told you I’d be chasing you and if you made it to the dorms, I wouldn’t punish you for being out on Mayhem Night, or tell anyone I saw you. Where we talked last week is the spot you were in when I let you get away.”

“Talked?” I scoff.

The corner of his lip moves, but he doesn’t say anything about using that bullshit word. “So you sent me the coordinates to relive it like a psychopath. Did you get your kicks?”

Pax growls, “Will you just shut up and listen!”

I sneer at him. “No, I won’t. I’m not one of your mindless blow up dolls, just accepting whatever you say. I’mnotalegacy.” Without looking down at Finn, I say, “If your hand moves one more inch, you’re gonna lose some fingers.”

Climbing to his feet, he huffs, “Damn, Pax. You had to go and ruin my fun.” I think he’s going to go stand next to one of his friends, but he doesn’t. He yanks me against him and kisses me. I bite down on his lip, drawing blood, which spurs him on. He moans and pushes his tongue into my mouth. My body locks up as the coppery taste hits my tongue. I can’t breathe. I’m choking on blood.

“Pet? Thea? Thea!”

Hands grab me, and I swing, catching Pax in the jaw. He grabs me and spins me, pinning me to his chest from behind. “Easy Nemesis.”

I twist, trying to break his hold, his arm across me holding me so I can’t escape. “You’re still not ready to fight me, Nem. Your form still needs some work, but that was a halfway decent hit you got off.”

---