Page 112 of Ruthless Legacy

“I heard Pax crying like a big baby, so I knew it was you.”

She snuggles into her couch, pulling a blanket over her. “Can we make this quick? I don’t know how soon I’m gonna be summoned, again, and I need my rest.”

Holden says, “It’ll be a couple of days.”

“You sound pretty sure about that timeframe, Holden.”

“That’s because I am. They’ll be submitting the paperwork for the final signatures and discussing your request for Coach Wolfe as a mentor.”

I catch Pax’s eye and shake my head. If he talks, we won’t get any answers. It’s best to let Holden handle this.

Holden says, “It was a gutsy move, declining the one assigned to you.”

“It had nothing to do with guts, and everything to do with not wanting just anyone to have unfettered access to me.”

Pax just can’t stay silent. “The mentors are here to help us. We’re matched with people who align with our strengths and weaknesses and best match our life experiences.”

Thea eyes him through slitted lids. “Name me three areas where Leonardo Burke’s experience and mine align. Tell me how someone who thinks women should be seen and not heard matches my strengths.” She waves her hand as if shooing him away. “If anything, he’d be the perfect mentor for you.”

She yawns and blinks up at us. “If my request for Wolfe doesn’t work out, you and I can switch. I’ll take whoever your mentor is, and you can have the guy who stares at your nipples all day.”

She looks over at me and waves me closer. “Come here, Finn.” I stoop down so she doesn’t have to move. She presses her hands to my face and kisses me. It’s the kind of kiss that makes me want to climb on the couch and rub my hands all over her. It’s the first time she’s initiated a kiss without an ulterior motive, since all the shit between us began. We break apart and I immediately go in for another. Her hand against my chest stops me.

“Don’t get greedy, Finn. That kiss was a thank you.”

“For what?”

“I was serious about people staring at our nipples all day. Your hoodie hid mine from view. I’m sorry I couldn’t return it to you.”

“Don’t worry about that, Pet. We’ll head out and let you get some sleep. Come, knock on my door when you wake, and we’ll work out some food for you.”

Holden leans down. They share whispered words. Then he follows me out the door.

“What did you say to her?” Pax asks as soon as we’re in my room.

“I congratulated her on passing her final evaluations even though people may have discounted or hindered her ability to do so, and told her I was proud of her, since no one else was there to say it.”

Crap. I hadn’t thought about that. Thea’s basically doing this alone. Was Joshua Laurent even there tonight? He should have been in the first few rows, but I don’t remember seeing him.

He certainly didn’t escort her out and drive her back to campus. That’s why we got back before she did. She has to ride the bus with the other selectees who don’t have family connections in The League.

No wonder she wants Deacon as her mentor. The question is, does he care enough about her to accept the position?

Chapter47

Holden

Now that indoctrination’s over, Thea will participate in challenges against other first year prospects. She’ll also have more free time on her hand than she did before. That means the restrictions I’ve placed on myself are off.

I’m not sure Finn and I were clear with her about what our end goal is. If letting Finn and I share her for that one night was a fluke…

I have to know.Wehave to know.

He should be on his way back with Thea. “Seriously Finn. You can’t just say we’ve got league stuff to talk about and then drag me out here.” They step through the trees. He’s leading her by a rope tied around her hands. My dick presses against my zipper.

“Tada!” Finn says with a flourish of his hands.

She eyes the blanket and picnic basket Finn and I set up. “What is this? Some kind of legacy punishment since I skipped breakfast and lunch?”

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