Page 127 of Ruthless Legacy

“Didn’t you say this was like a graduation ceremony for the selectees?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not skipping my graduation.”

“Okay. Then reconsider riding with us.”

“I’m good. I’m already spending my time at the table with you. I don’t think it’s safe for us to be trapped in a car together, too.” She pats my chest. “I guess the saying’s true. Not all heroes wear capes.”

I kiss her hard, ensuring I’m smearing her lipstick all over my lips. She smiles against my mouth, pecks my lips, and pulls away. “You don’t want to ride with us, then how about just me? On my couch, right now.”

I kiss her again, slipping my hand underneath the hem of her dress, dragging my fingertips up the inside of her thigh. She moans into my mouth, jutting her hips forward. Her eyes are closed, her head thrown back. Holden steps behind her, pushes her hair over her shoulder, and kisses her neck. His hands cup her breast.

“What do you say, Pet? Care for a little pregame before we head out?”

“I can’t. Joshua’s car will be here in five minutes and I can’t be late.”

She turns to face Holden, fingering the tie Paisley gave him. “I still think this would’ve been hotter with the piercing. He sticks out his tongue, showing he still has one in.

Thea bites her lip and nods. “So fucking hot.” She fans herself as she walks away.

Pax’s door closes behind us. “You ready?”

“Yeah.”

When Eloise heard Paisley scheduled a photoshoot, she insisted we do the same. I love a good photo. I look good in this suit. I’m just not in the mood to pretend this evening. But appearance is everything.

We ride the elevator in silence. Each of us lost in our own thoughts. When the doors open, it’s showtime and I make sure I smile and hit my mark.

After the photoshoot, we head to the venue, where I’ll really be on display. The league only wants the best. The richest, the most ruthless, the most beautiful and darkest deviants.

They all have a place. A purpose. A function. I know my purpose. My friends know theirs, and now it’s time for the selectees to advance and find out theirs.

Thea and Eloise are both in that category. Tonight celebrates that for them. There are seventy-five people on the roster to advance tonight, and The League spared no expense putting on this event.

We pull up to the hotel, a league asset, and exit the car. Pax enters the hotel ahead of us. Holden and I have to show off our companions. As we enter the lobby, we stop to speak to a few people. Eloise is pressed tight against my side. Paisley has her arm looped through his.

Once inside the ballroom, Eloise smiles and waves at people she knows, offering the correct honorifics when a league member approaches. She’s perfect. Everything a Trium could ever want as a match.

So, how does a girl -I’ve just met- have me so twisted up in knots, questioning everything? Eloise beams up at me and says, “Yes, I’m honored that the league invited me to join. I can’t wait to prove myself and earn my place among the top ranks.”

The gentleman she’s talking to says, “It sounds like she’s planning to overtake you on the score board Finn.”

I bite back the scathing dismissal coating my tongue. Eloise doesn’t stand a chance at unseating my score. Nobody does. I smile all the same. “I welcome the challenge, but I have my ways to throw her off her game.” I wink at her, and she blushes as she hides her face against my chest.“Finn…”

My skin crawls at just the thought of touching her. Today. Tomorrow. Ever. I throw up a little in my mouth when she presses her lips to mine. My lips are gonna need a long soak -in Thea’s pussy- to offset the feeling and scent of Eloise’s mouth on mine.

I smile my first true smile since stepping off the elevator, as I think about Thea’s thighs locked around my ears. The imagery is enough to get me through this evening.

* * *

Pax

I entered the hotel ahead of my friends, knowing they had to make the rounds with the girls on their arms. I also wanted to remind Thea not to pull any shit tonight. If she’s sitting with us, she needs to act accordingly.

I was too late. By the time I reached her, she’d already told Jude Graham that even if Deacon doesn’t pass his challenge to be her mentor, she’d pick someone else and start the process all over again. I wouldn’t want Leonardo Burke as my mentor either, but there’s a more tactful way to say it.

I’ve kept her glued to my side since then. With every person who approaches, the more tense she gets. I know she’s not reacting to me for a change. She’s been fine, the few minutes we’ve had alone. But the minute a council member walks our way, she’s back on edge.

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