Page 73 of Ruthless Legacy

It’s after ten at night when I step through the closet. Thea’s bed is empty, still made from this morning. Her backpack where she dropped it after class. I can’t be here when she gets back, and I can’t seek her out. Not until the preliminary period is over and she makes a decision. I go back to my room and resume working on the code I’m developing.

For now, I need to be patient. Wait for things to settle. I’ll be back to chasing Thea. Forcing her submission. Soon.

Chapter32

Thea

I’m switching gears today. Instead of heading out for breakfast alone, I’m waiting in the hall for my neighbors to come out of their rooms. They’ll be heading down to the lobby for the morning fashion show, and I want to confront them with their lies before they start their day. I offer a chipper smile and greeting when they come out of Pax’s room.

“Good Morning, neighbors.”

“Morning, Pet.” Finn walks up to me. “Why are you smiling like that? Did you do what we talked about and wake up with an orgasm?”

Holden takes a menacing step forward. “With who?”

Oh, this segue is too good to pass up.

“I woke up alone, but I spent a satisfying and exhilarating night with a member of The League of the Daggered Raven. I would have invited him back to my place, but you know how I feel about people in my personal space.”

“What?” Finn and Holden share a look. Finn takes another step towards me. “What do you mean you spent the night with a league member? Which one?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I told you, everything you do is my business. Especially if it involves fucking some limp dicked prospect from the league.”

Got him. “Would this be the same league you told me doesn’t exist?”

“I-”

I hold up my hand to silence him. “No. Whatever lie, whatever spin, you’re about to give me, I don’t want to hear it. The next words out of your mouth better be the truth.”

Pax growls, “We told you the truth.”

“Ri-ight. So then why is Finn plotting to murder some guy I hooked up with from an organization that doesn’t exist? Or can you explain the letters and phone calls I’ve been getting? Or tell me about this cute little invite that was waiting for me on a silver tray when I drove to the coordinates they sent me.”

Finn straightens his beanie. “You went to some anonymous coordinates at night? After everything that happened? Why would you do that, Pet?” He asks, taking the invitation out of my hand.

“I did it, because I needed answers. I’ve been hearing about this society you’re a part of since the moment I stepped foot on campus. I’ve heard rumors, and I looked for articles, but I can’t get a straight answer out of anyone. Not even Scott and Moira know much, because they’re not a part of it. These people. Your league seems overly interested in me, and I wanted to know why.”

I point to the three of them. “I swallowed my pride and came to you for answers, but you lied to my face.”

I glare at each of them. “I heard you in the gym the other night. Whispering about selectees and names on lists and how to get them to change their minds.”

Pax rolls his eyes. “I don’t know what you think you heard while you were eavesdropping.”

“Don’t try me, Pax. I know what I heard. You each named people you think couldn’t cut the pledge process, and once again you proved you’re obsessed with me, because there was only one name on your lips. Mine.”

“You heard me talking about you dropping out of pledge season? I was talking about the Nus, which you already did.”

“Suppose I was the idiot you think I am. If you were talking about the Nus and old history, then why did you say I’d taint your little club with all my awesomeness?”

“Awesomeness? You’re like a dark cloud, ruining everything.”

“Fair enough. That doesn’t mean I’m not entitled to know the truth about what I’m getting into.”

Finn answers first. “You’re right, Pet. You should know what you’re getting into. The League started as a group of friends who just wanted a club where they could talk about anything, anddoanything, away from the prying eyes of society. They got together and had parties where they invited influential people to join their circle. They purposefully and publicly excluded others, and built their brand on it.”

I couldn’t find anylegitimateinformation in the town library or archives, so I called in another favor. The dark underbelly of the west coast had a little more insight into this group. Fucking Saint had a good time laughing at me. I don’t tell them how I know, but I say, “I hear what they’ve built their brand on is employing common thieves.”

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