Page 99 of Twisted Legacy

Finn gets to his feet when I get closer. “Pet, I just want you to know that I-”

I hold my hand up to silence him. Whatever he’s about to say isn’t important. I don’t want to hear any more apologies. Van said if I want answers about the people who attacked me, this is the way to get them. That’s the only reason I’m here.

Pax is sitting there, his ever present scowl on his face when he’s not running things. “I’m not ready to just forgive any of you for the shit I went through, but I also know I can’t navigate this legacy thing without you. If I have to sit at your table and pretend to have a stick up my ass, then you’re gonna damn well run interference with the future ex mistress club. So whatever you gotta do to make them happy, you do it. I don’t have time to deal with jealous bitches right now.”

Holden speaks next. “Define… whatever…”

I look him square in the eye and say, “It means if she likes for you to suck her toes and tickle her kneecaps under a full moon while yodeling, you do it.”

“That goes against any way we’ve ever treated them before.”

“That’s not my problem.” I scan the table for a place to sit and choose the end farthest from them. “I don’t want there to be any confusion about where things stand with us. So you stick to your corner of the table with your people. I’ll stay at the other end with mine.”

Pax smirks at me. “You have people now?”

I swear I wanna punch him in his face. But we’re supposed to be communicating. Tryna find some common ground. “Yes. LJ and Austin will be joining the table when they get back to school.” I fix my gaze on him and dare him to say something. He tries to hold it back, but fails.

“Austin can’t sit with us.”

“That’s why he’s sittingwith me.Or under me. Or on top of the table. The point is, your rules govern you and your friends. My rules are for me and mine.”

“You can’t have two different sets of rules. It creates chaos.”

“So you keep telling me, and yet the only chaos I’ve seen is the shit stirring you’ve been doing since the moment you ran into me. Which is why it’s best if we stay separated. You and your minions get this side of the table.” I wave towards the other end. “Me and my friends will get that side. It’s a win-win.”

Holden and Finn are looking at me. Holden’s face is just as unreadable as usual, but Finn’s wearing his thoughts and feelings on his sleeve. “Look, Finn. I know you’re sorry. I know you’re apologizing, and I’m really grateful for the knives. But that doesn’t just magically fix everything. We have to coexist, and I’m willing to try when you get back from Winter Break.”

He smiles now. “Oh, we don’t need to wait that long. We can start now.”

“It really wouldn’t make a difference. Nothing’s going to change in one or two days.”

His smile widens. “Then it’s a good thing I won’t be leaving campus, isn’t it?”

“You’re staying here?” He nods and I look at all of them, my stomach tightening. “You’re all staying here?”

Holden tilts his head and Finn says, “Pet, you didn’t think I’d leave you here alone, did you?”

“Yes. Finn, that’s exactly what I thought. In fact, I was looking forward to it.”

Holden’s still staring at me, like he’s trying to penetrate my mind, my soul. I have to remind myself not to get lost in his stormy gaze. The longer he stares, the hotter I get. Why am I reacting this way to him? Sure, he sat at my door like a sentry the other night, but that doesn’t absolve him from all the other shit he’s done. I didn’t ask him to play guard dog.

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

His cryptic answer leaves me confused. “Because I’m ready to play.”

Chapter58

Finn

Thea wakes with a stretch, then stiffens. I see her hand moving under her pillow. I know what she’s going for.

“Morning, Pet.” I let her hear the smile in my voice and brush my lips across the nape of her neck, so she’ll know there’s no need to stab me this early in the morning. I’ve been here patiently waiting for her to wake up. I know she took some sleeping pills. The bottle is still out on her night table. I was getting worried she took too many.

I snuggle closer. This whole time she’s been mad at me; I’ve been missing out on the chance to rub my dick against her in the morning.

“What are you doing in my bed, Finn?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m waking up to the face of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

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