Page 67 of Ruthless Legacy

“You don’t keep any secrets from each other?”

“None.”

I arch a brow at him. That contradicts what they’re saying about my attack. Holden jumps in. “Apparently, we do keep secrets, since neither Finn nor I knew about your deal with Eloise.”

Pax cracks his neck. “That was one time, and it was a mistake, so stop trying to start shit. You said you have plans. Now get to talking.”

I ignore Pax’s bitchy little outburst. It’s less effective when he’s pouting. “I want to know about The League of the Daggered Ravens.”

He stiffens. “There’s nothing to know. They’re an urban legend on campus, but they don’t exist.”

“They do exist, and the three of you are members.”

He manages to keep a straight face and maintain eye contact when he lies through his teeth. “We’re members of Rho Beta Psi. Our mascot is an osprey, not a raven.”

I’m familiar with the wall of silence. Nobody in Nags Creek would ever admit to being affiliated with a gang if directly questioned by the police, but I don’t have time for the run-around. If The League of the Daggered Ravens has decided to send me love letters, I need to know why.

“Look, I can appreciate your vow of secrecy or whatever, but did you forget that I already know they exist and your families are a part of it? I’m just asking about what they do, and what their purpose is. Is it really some fraternity for old dudes who’ve convinced themselves they’re important, or is there more to it?”

“Our families were all Rho Beta Psi members, and they have an active alumni association, which is just as selective as the fraternity on campus.” He smirks at me. “This whole secret society thing was made up by jealous people who didn’t make the cut.”

I climb to my feet, shaking my head. He’s not going to come clean, and neither are the other two. “Okay, then.”

Finn steps in front of me. “That’s it. No more questions?”

“No more questions. If you say they don’t exist, then they don’t exist. It must be some other super shadowy organization texting me and slipping riddles under my door.”

* * *

Pax

“Hey.”

I grunt in reply. I’m surprised Thea’s even down here this morning. I thought for sure she’d be off somewhere with an attitude, after I sent her away without any answers about The League. Her question came out of left field. I know somebody put her up to asking and there was no way in hell I was gonna officially confirm The League’s existence.

The alumni association really does exist. Between that and long-standing traditions in town, it’s easy to explain the hierarchy of families in Canyon Falls. Even if people hear or suspect that someone is a member, there’s no way to confirm it. Our rules say weneverconfirm it.

When she moves to the ring, I do the same, because we’ve gotten into the habit of sparring whenever we’re in the gym together. It’s nice to work out with someone as committed to fighting as she is. Holden and Finn will fight, but they’re more brute force and power. She’s tactical, great at the fundamentals, but she also has a raw savagery that would make her fiercely competitive above her weight class.

After I saw the video of her attack, I stopped holding back as much as I was. She’s still not ready for me to go all out. Not until she stops babying her shoulder. I make sure she has to use it more than she wants to. Like now, I’ve pulled her against my chest, with her left arm pinned behind her, so she has no choice but to swing at me with her right.

I can tell she’s getting tired. Her punches are getting weaker, but that’s good. If she fatigues it, the resting phase will make it stronger. “You need to start lifting weights.”

“Let me go and I’ll lift you and drop you on your ass.”

“If anyone’s ass is gonna be on the mat, it’s yours. But you’re used to that, right?”

“I sure am. I prefer my ass on the mat, while I’m crushing my enemies between my thighs.”

I chuckle at her threat. There’s no way her puny legs are crushing anyone. I loosen my grip and shove her forward. She turns and launches herself at me. I catch her and spin, slamming her to the ground. She rolls as soon as her body hits the mat, flinging me over.

We roll a couple of times, fighting for position. She winds up on top of me, her knees on my arms and her hands on my wrist to pin me to the mat. We’re both panting, the adrenaline from the last few minutes still coursing through our veins.

Then we’re kissing. My brain shuts off, my body takes over, as my tongue delves into her mouth. Our kiss is a lot like our fighting. Each of us trying to dominate the other. My phone alarm goes off, bringing me back to reality. I toss her off of me and climb to my feet.

She smirks up at me. “I win.”

“You didn’t win shit.”

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