Page 156 of Ruthless Legacy

“Pet, you need to find a secure location for your challenge items.” I hate having to say this next part. “We do what we can to control access to our floor, but when it comes to challenge items, your room is the first place they’ll look.”

I brace myself for her reaction. She tilts her head and says, “Okay. Thanks.”

We’ve reached her car, and Pax adds, “Find someplace off campus that the average person in town won’t have access to.” He stops her from opening the door and says, “Wherever this place is, don’t tell anyone about it. Not even your friends.”

“Good luck, Pet.” I pull her into a kiss before spinning her to face Holden, who does the same.

When he releases her, she wiggles her eyebrows at Pax. “You wanna wish me luck too?”

He yanks her door open. “Get going. No pit stops on the way there, and be mindful of your surroundings on your way back.”

My brows jump to the brim of my beanie. Pax giving more advice? Thea comments before I can. “Don’t worry about me, big guy. I got this.”

“I’m not worried about you. It’s anyone else your tiny little fists might come into contact with.”

He yanks his hand away seconds before she closes his fingers in the door.

* * *

Deacon

Thea walks into the gym, her face and clothes streaked with oil. I got a general alert message that it’s a challenge day. Whatever hers was must’ve been messy and physical because she’s limping. I motion to the chair against the wall. “Let me see it.”

I grab the seat next to her, and pull her ankle into my lap, unlacing her boot as I ask, “You okay?”

“Yeah, nothing like the hydraulic lift on a car activating, while you’re under it looking for something.”

I stop pressing on her leg. “That’s not funny.”

“Do you see me laughing?” She chuckles. “Okay, I am laughing, but only because it was such an adrenaline rush.”

“Did it drop on your ankle?”

“Naw. I tweaked it, when I slipped on a puddle of oil, trying to evade some of the other challengers.”

I push my hand up higher, massaging her calf. “I think my leg is fine, Wolfe.”

“So do I.”

“Then why are you rubbing it?”

“Because this is all I can get away with touching right now.”

“Just two more days of lockdown.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t escaped yet.” Her lips twitch. So she has escaped. “Where’d you go?”

“Pax took me to the beach.” I wasn’t expecting to hear that. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. He was tired of me leaving my room without telling him and took me for a ride on his bike. It was a bribe, so I’d behave.”

“Plenty of people have fallen for their companions.”

“I’m not people, I’mme, and the head Coxsucker would need a personality transplant before I’d even consider elevating his status from walking vibrator.”

I finish taping her ankle and pull her to her feet. “How’s that feel?”

She applies pressure and takes a few steps. “Good. Thanks.”

“Do you need a ride to campus?”

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