Page 64 of Ruthless Legacy

“Is that what you just did to get us out of there?”

I snort. “No, that was something different. Saint has his own reasons for being in town, and I believe him when he says he was just checking up on me.”

“He likes you.”

“He respects the work I’ve done for him. There’s a difference.”

“You like him.”

I shrug. “I don’t want to stab him sometimes.”

She nods, leans her head against my shoulder, and says, “That’s practically a declaration of love coming from you.”

Chapter28

Thea

I’ve been sitting at a corner nook in the library, writing a research paper, all afternoon. The book I’m reading on burial ceremonies for different cultures references another work that I need to cite.

I’ve just returned from a lower level with the book I need. My hand hovers in the air as I stare down at the stationary on top of my textbook. I lower the book and snatch the envelope off the table, pulling the cream card from inside.

Pretty things that are so easily broken under pressure are never quite the same

Who left this here? I was only gone a few minutes and nobody passed me on the stairs. Was someone behind the stacks all this time waiting for the opportunity to leave it? I peek over the side railing and crouch down, trying to spot feet between the stacks on either side of me. I don’t see anyone. I gather my things. The library crowd is thinning out. If someone’s hiding, I’m not about to get caught here alone.

The walk back to the dorm has me looking over my shoulders. My phone is out, my finger hovering over the call button, so I can call Wolfe’s if something happens. He made me add his number to speed dial and promise to call if I’m ever scared or suspect I’m in danger. I protested because I didn’t want to seem weak. Now I’m glad I did it. Even if the call goes to voice mail, I’ll be able to document if something happens.

I make it to Vale Tower safely, rushing into the elevator, and putting it in private mode. When the doors slide open on my floor, I hurry to my room. Once inside, I finally take a deep breath, letting out the remaining tension. I hate that I’m still so easily spooked.

I guess it’s like LJ said, without answers, I can’t fully get past my trauma. Running into Saint at the club the other night didn’t help. He’s never been one to mince words, and basically said I’m an idiot for not doing a deeper dive into the town before I came here. He’s right. Even if I didn’t do it before I moved here, that should have been my priority once I arrived.

I should have compiled a full dossier on everyone and mapped out how everything works around here. And now, even after my attack, my focus has been on my problems with Moira, Scott and The Trium.

The list of shit I have to make sense of keeps growing. First, there’s the organization running this town that won’t be satisfied until I let them sink their claws into me.

The why is the unknown. Joshua makes sense. It’s what he wants. But why is it so important to them that I be involved? Is it because they don’t like to hear the words no, or do they really need absolute control of everyone’s lives?

Even LJ and the other families that are unaligned aren’t truly free from their influence. Most of those families go out of their way to get noticed. To be relevant. The other questions is who, other than Malcolm Cox Sr., sits at the top of the food chain?

Then, there’s The Inferno Skullz. I definitely should’ve been keeping an eye on them after what went down with LJ. The note could be a warning from the local members to stay away from Saint and keep my mouth shut about anything I’ve seen. I didn’t see shit or hear shit. At least I think I didn’t.

Okay. New plan. The legacy families are a bunch of power hungry gossips who don’t like outsiders. Until I figure out if the Inferno Skullz are a threat, I need to use this legacy title to my advantage.

* * *

Holden

Something’s changed today. I don’t know what and I don’t know why, but when Thea walks into the dining hall, I can tell things are different. It’s Wednesday, which means she’ll be eating alone at the barrel table, without LJ. The last legacy table is far below her family’s pay grade, but I respect her choice. She’s safe and seems to enjoy their company, so that’s good enough for now.

When she gets her food, I expect her to walk by ignoring us, but she doesn’t. Today, she stops at our table and walks to the end, sitting in the same spot she was in before Eloise ran her off.

“What do you think you’re doing, barrel?”

I take note of the person talking. That’s the wrong way to identify Thea. She’s not a barrel, she just chooses to sit there.

Thea doesn’t seem to mind the title. “I think I’m adding red pepper flakes to my pizza. What doyouthink I’m doing?” She looks around with innocent eyes. “Is that a faux pas? Do we not eat red pepper flakes on pizza?”

The girl struggles to answer. Someone else tries to assist. “What she means, is, didn’t we tell you this isn’t your table? Go back to the barrel table where you belong.”

---