Page 109 of Ruthless Legacy

I wonder how many more drinks he needs before he has to go to the bathroom. I’m running out of time and need to make the switch. He’s telling me a funny story about work and I laugh, clamping down on his wrist.

I pop the clasp and slide the watch off, brushing my hand across my knee and slipping the watch between my legs. I don’t have anywhere else I can put it right now. The other watch is in my boot, digging into my ankle. I swivel my chair towards the bar and lean down like I’m scratching my ankle to retrieve it, keeping my palm away from him.

When I turn back around, I grab his hand and say, “You know what your story reminds me of?” I slip the decoy watch on his wrist. “It reminds me of this passenger on this flight once.” I wave my hand around, knocking his drink over onto his suit.

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” I pick up some napkins and dab at the mess. “Uh, s’cuse me.” I call out to the bartender. “Can we get more napkins, please?”

I wad up more napkins and keep wiping. “Club soda, right? That’s what you use for stains, or at least that’s what they say in the movies all the time.”

Lucas grimaces and says, “It’s fine. I’ll just go put some water on it real quick. I’ll be right back.”

As soon as his back is turned, I drop his watch in my shoe and slide off the stool, telling the bartender, “If he comes back before me, tell him I went to the bathroom. I’ve gotten some of the spillage on myself.”

I hook a right into the alcove, pass through the restaurant and slip out the front door of the hotel, heading left down the street away from the bar. I don’t know if there’s a car waiting in front of the bar or not.

What I do know, is that I wasn’t gonna risk Lucas spotting me. It’s early evening. People are still bustling along coming to or leaving happy hour. There’s a group up ahead. I quicken my pace to catch up to them, then slip through the bodies until I’m in the middle.

I walk with them for two blocks until the streets are more familiar, and peel off towards the abandoned section of town right before the boardwalk.

Before I can cross the empty alley, a familiar sedan pulls up. The driver gets out and hands me a hood. I put it on and let him manhandle me into the back seat.

“Selectee LaReaux. You were told to come to the front of the bar.”

“No, I was told a ride would be waiting to take me to my next location. The instructions didn’t say I had to use the front door.”

Chapter46

Thea

Ilean my head against the car window. At this point, I’m running on adrenaline. The post theft high is keeping me awake. When the car stops, it’s the same drill as before. I’m walked to a destination I can’t see.

This place is cold and drafty. The space feels expansive. My ass connects with a hard surface when I’m shoved to a seating position. A bell chimes, and I wait for what seems like hours before someone speaks.

“Selectees, welcome to your final evaluation.”

He launches into a discussion about everything we’ve done during indoctrination and tells us we’ve been racking up points since the beginning of the selectee process.

He reminds us of the oaths and doctrine, and has us reaffirm our commitment to the process. I pick and choose which parts I affirm.

“We will sequester you during this time. There is to be no talking among you, and your hoods will remain on. We will bring you out one by one, and when instructed, you will remove your hood and your evaluation will begin.”

Someone drags me to my feet and walks me forward, my heels clacking on the floor. Eventually, I’m shoved into another seat. I don’t move or make a sound. I’ve perfected the art of being invisible. Mom would be proud. Footsteps enter and exit the room. Then it’s my turn. I’m dragged to my feet, then thrust forward. The hand yanks me back before I fall flat on my face.

“Selectee LaReaux, you may remove your hood.”

I yank it off. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see the pews on either side of me are full. The people here are in suits, sitting stoically, reminding me of a funeral service.

“Selectee LaReaux, you were instructed to mingle in a bar. Your target was the man in a polka-dot tie and navy suit. Did you make contact?”

“I did.”

“He owns a rare watch. The watchmaker is selective about the clientele he works with. An esteemed member would like to purchase a watch. Did you obtain the information he needs to do so?”

“No.”

He pauses. The man on his right says, “It sounded like you said no.”

“That is what I said. I didn’t get any information.”

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