Page 120 of Ruthless Legacy

I click open a file on my screen, a genuine smile flitting across my face. I’m making progress on the research I’m doing for a cyber friend. After several false leads, I finally have one that’s yielding results. I don’t know what any of it means yet, but I’ve got another search string to input into my algorithm.

Voices in the hallway drag my attention from my screen. I flick the icon on the bottom of my desktop to bring up the view from the security cameras. Thea’s on the phone waiting for the elevator. Where are you going?

My attention bounces back to the file. I save it to my server, then go into Thea’s room and stretch out on her bed. I bury my face in her pillow, inhaling her scent. It envelopes me, but does little to satisfy the urges I’m trying to suppress.

I’ve been trying to respect her boundaries while she processed seeing the video of her attack. I’ve been considerate. Understanding that chasing her might be triggering. Then the shit with her going to MISTIC happened, and now her joining The League. It’s been a lot for her. A lot for me. Now that things are settling, and Finn and I have made our intentions clear, I’m ready for our relationship to go back to normal.

I send her a text.

Holden

I want your screams. Tonight.

Thea

I’ll pass

Holden

Where are you?

Thea

Somewhere

Holden

Care to be more specific?

Thea

Why would I do that?

Holden

Because I need you beneath me, drowning in your fears

Thea

Which is why I’m not stupid enough to make it easy for you to traumatize me

Holden

I’ll find you either way. Not telling me only delays the inevitable

The bubbles swirl, then stop. Swirl, then stop. I think she won’t answer, but then the response comes back.

Thea

I like my chances

Another text follows quickly behind that. It’s from my dad.

Dad

Can you come by the house tonight? There’s something I want to talk to you about.

I want to tell him no, but if he’s asking to see me in the middle of the week, it has to be important.

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