Page 102 of Twisted Legacy

Cocking my head to the side, I say, “Perhaps you should speak with Moira and Scott and let them catch you up to speed on what’s been happening around here, and that would give you better insight into why ambushing me was the wrong move.”

“I know everything I need to know.”

“Is that so? So you know about my attack on campus and still thought jumpstarting our acquaintance was the way to go?”

“I’m aware that you were involved in an unfortunate hazing incident the night you were supposed to cross over.”

“So you follow the school’s version of events. Great. Now I know I won’t be using your number.” The waitress approaches with the rest of my food. “I wish I could say it was nice meeting you, but it’d be a lie. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m famished.”

He looks like he’s about to say something else, but something over by the door grabs his attention. I turn around to see what he’s looking at, but don’t see anything. He gives me one more smile and says, “Enjoy your meal, Theona. I will reach out to you again in the next few days. Perhaps you’ll be more receptive to a conversation then.”

I don’t bother telling him not to hold his breath.

* * *

Thea

I haven’t left my room all day. I had big plans for this week, but Joshua Laurent ruined all that with one ill timed introduction. What an ass. He might have changed his tune when I pushed back on his bullshit, but he’s definitely still the guy who thinks he can make the women in this family do what he wants.

I know he’s gonna try again, instead of waiting for me to extend the invite. He thinks mom and Moira were a handful. He hasn’t seen nothing yet. Nothing in my life has made me docile or compliant. I’m not a people pleaser. I cannot, Iwill not, be controlled.

I stomp into the gym, ready to pound my frustrations out on the heavy bag. What I really need is someone to swing back. I miss it. The more I come to the gym, the more settled I feel in my abilities. It might be time for me to get back to training at Wolfe Pack.

I warm up and then get to swinging. Every hit soothes me. The steady exhalation of my breath relaxes me. Grounds me. I weave and bob around the bag, staying light on my feet. I’m in the zone. For the first time since my attack I’m aware and in the moment, so when Pax walks up to me and reaches for me, instead of freezing, I dodge his hand.

I readjust my feet and go back to the heavy bag, but he reaches for me again and I side step, slipping by him. He does it again and when he gets within reach, I swing, connecting with his jaw. I didn’t put a lot of power behind it. Just enough so he’ll know that I’m serious about this fight. A warning to back off.

He doesn’t listen and I snap, going after him, rotating my hips, putting my weight into the swing. Now he’s on the defensive, trying to avoid my blows. He can’t dodge all of them and I connect more times than I miss.

I’m sweating, my chest burns. It’s been too long since I’ve fought like this and I’ve lost stamina. But the burn feels good. The movement is like coming home.

“Enough!”

I ignore him. It’ll be enough when he’s on the ground. I go for his ribs, determined that he’ll feel the lingering traces of this tomorrow. He rocks with the blow and when I go to follow up, he sidesteps me, getting behind me and puts me in a bar hold. Pulling me off my feet as he stands to his full height. With my boxing gloves on, I can’t get traction on his arm to assist me with getting out of the hold he has me in.

“You’re a stubborn little thing.”

“I told you I’d kick your ass.”

“I wasn’t fighting back.”

“Then why are you sticking behind me, afraid to face me head on?”

“Because I have better things to do with my time.”

“Then go do them. You attacked me. I just defended myself.”

“Attacked?” He snorts. “So now you’re playing the victim? It won’t work. I see right through you, and whatever you’re planning this time won’t work either, so you can stop pretending to be on board with being a legacy.”

“Make up your mind, Pax. Do you want me in your club or not?”

“Not,but we don’t have a choice. You sitting with us doesn’t change who you really are. It doesn’t make you special, and it won’t elevate your family’s status. Neither will trying to get your claws into Finn again.”

“What’s he got to do with it?”

“I’m just reminding you that his thoughts about you haven’t changed. He’s bored because of that shit you pulled with his fiancé and has decided that the person who should satisfy his needs is the one who tied his hands to begin with. Once he’s done taking his frustrations out on you, he’ll discard you all over again.”

“If that’s true, then why are you so worried?”

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