Page 105 of Twisted Legacy

She squeezes my hand. “Stay under the radar. Graduate. Get the hell away from this town.”

I repeat those words over to myself. That is the goal. That is the plan. That is why I’m doing this, and forcing myself to be in the presence of all those idiots at school. I’m playing the game, so I can get what I want. I square my shoulders, and face the curb, watching as her father unfolds himself from the car.

I watch as he addresses Scott first, with a firm handshake. One I imagine hurts, but Scott doesn’t show it. Then he steps in front of Moira, forcing her to reach up to kiss his cheek. “Hello, daddy.”

Then he’s wheeling around to look at me. He stares at me, and I stare back. I don’t know what protocol he expects me to follow, but I’m damn sure not kissing him.

Scott breaks through the tension. “Thea, this is Joshua Laurent. Moira’s father.”

I appreciate that he didn’t say “Your grandfather.” I’m not accepting that title. I haven’t even accepted Scott and Moira as my mother and father yet.

“Theona. A pleasure to see you again.”

“We’ll see.”

His left eye twitches, but he doesn’t say anything else. Scott pulls the door open. “Shall we go in?”

Joshua struts up to the door, walking in ahead of Moira. She goes second, followed by me, then Scott. When the hostess says our table is ready, I hang back, letting them all walk through the space ahead of me. I’m looking straight ahead, avoiding the stares. I am so over being looked at like I’m a spectacle.

Our table is in the back corner of the restaurant. Joshua takes the seat facing the room, Moira and Scott on either side of the table, which forces me to sit with my exposed back to the door.

I study the menu, tuning out the conversation. Not that Moira’s father seems to be all that interested in talking to me to begin with. He’s too busy grilling Scott on business and throwing cheap shots at Moira for not making more of an effort to nurture her former friendships now that the Laurent family status is changing.

“I have friends, daddy. We enjoy each other’s company. I have no need to force myself onto anyone else.”

“It’s not forcing, it’s an honor and an expectation.”

“It would be forcing them to include me, if I just show up without being invited.”

“That’s to be expected. You need to rebuild their trust. Make yourself available in whatever capacity they need. You can’t walk around here too prideful. There are amends to be made, Moira.”

“Why?” They all look at me, and I continue, “Why does Moira need to regain these women’s trust? In fact, how did she break their trust?”

Moira calls my name, softly, “Thea.”

I give it a beat. Take a breath, then push on. “Are you not answering because you don’t have one? Or because you don’t think I’m entitled to having my questions answered?”

“Young lady…”

“If you’re about to chastise me for questioning you, then maybe you shouldn’t have said you wanted to get to know me. Because me… I ask questions when I don’t know or understand something.”

Joshua says, “It is quite appropriate to ask questions in class when you don’t understand the material being presented, but this situation is different. We won’t rehash all the details, but Moira knows why she can’t be trusted, and she knows that she must face the consequences of her actions. That’s what happens when you make choices. There are consequences.”

He sips his drink. “Now I understand you may not be used to structure or parental authority because you bounced around all your life. That’s another consequence to her and Hailee’s actions. But…”

“Daddy…”

“I’m talking, Moira, and since she’s so inquisitive, this part she needs to hear.”

My fingers inch across the table towards my fork. “Go on, finish what you were saying about my mother.”

Chapter62

Holden

I’m stunned, watching Thea and her parents walk into the restaurant. I knew they’d have to interact with the families, but it’s jarring to see her here. The man who walks in first is a legacy through and through. I can see it in the way his head tilts up, his chin jutting forward, his shoulders square as he walks in, taking up space. He projects an aura that makes people want to obey and get the hell out of the way.

This must be her grandfather. I study Thea’s face and demeanor. She doesn’t want to be here. She scans the room, her eyes widening when she sees me. Pax and Finn are here too. Our families are sharing a table. It’s sort of an unofficial farewell dinner for the parents going out of town for the holidays.

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