Page 12 of Ruthless Legacy

“Yes. It’s comprised of civilians, former military, and lower legacy bloodlines.”

“And they want your dad to join that group?” I chuckle, trying to imagine Joshua Laurent in fatigues in the desert, or flexing his muscles as some pampered princesses bodyguard in a club.

Moira sips her water before saying, “They want the Laurent line. That means from here on out, any descendants will automatically be enrolled at MISTIC for training after high school and assigned a protective detail or leadership position within Andor Reese.”

Moira reaches out and grabs my hand. “You should know, my father’s already accepted the terms of reinstatement.”

“Why would he do that? He seems a little old for boot camp.”

“He said yes, because it’s all about power, control, and perception. Accepting these terms earns him points with the council. When you go to MISTIC and graduate, you’ll be guarding or completing assignments for some high-ranking individuals. Doing this still gets him visibility.”

My eyes pop up. “Uh, s’cuse me?”

I take in the tightness around her mouth. The pinch of her eyes. She looks a little pale. “The transition of the Laurent line would start with you, Thea.”

The hell it will. I don’t want to be a pampered princessora soldier. I’ve done my tour of duty walking the war zones of Nags Creek. I’m over that shit.

“I’ll pass. Tell Joshua he’s gonna have to go back and tell them he’s changed his mind. If this hinges on me, it was stupid to agree before talking to me, because it sounds like doing this is the opposite of our goals. Unless I’m missing something.”

“You’re not. You’d be… They’d own you, and your kids, and grandkids.”

I wave my hands and nearly choke on my spit. “Just slow your roll on the babies.”

“I’m just saying this commitment is life long. I’ve only heard of one guardian family being relieved of duty, and that was, well… it was a long time ago, under tragic circumstances. But they’re not really out. They supplement security for the league when asked.”

She sighs. “I’m probably explaining this all wrong. As far as I know, the guardian families are very happy.”

“You mean except for the part where they promise to take a bullet for somebody, right?”

“Like I said, there’s more to it, and since I’ve had minimum involvement with The League, I can’t say for certain what you’d be doing. Talking to someone in that group will be the best way to get answers to any questions you have.”

“It’s not a secret, like the old men’s club?”

“It’s a loosely held secret since the private security contractor, Andor Reese, frequently recruits from MISTIC. As a guardian candidate, those families will probably be more receptive to answering your questions.”

Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t need to interview anyone. I’m not interested. Now do I need to tell your dad or one of these league people so they’ll take my name off their little list?”

She studies me for a moment. I can’t work out the look on her face. I’ve always thought she was so easy to read, and at home she is. But out in public, she gives nothing away about what she thinks or really feels.

“I’ll speak to my father. But he’ll definitely be coming to you himself.” She frowns. “Scott and I have sprung so many things on you already. We didn’t want to keep this from you or have my father be the one to tell you.”

“I appreciate that.”

I look down at the menu. “I’m hoping you actually planned on eating here, and didn’t just choose this place, hoping I wouldn’t make a scene.”

She chuckles, “Oh, trust me, I’m well aware you’d make a scene no matter where we are, and we’re definitely eating. I’m starving.”

“Me, too.”

I place my order, ignoring Moira’s knowing look, when I order a glass of wine to go with my food. I need a drink. She’s lucky it’s not an Appletini or Vodka Tonic.

I’m picking at my appetizer when I circle back to something she said earlier. “This guardian family that quit. Where did they end up?”

“They still live in town. I really don’t know the details, just the rumors, because it all happened when my father was at Canyon Falls Uni.”

“Well, I’m not asking him. He’ll probably tell me it was only rumors and nobody can say no.”

“Probably. Maybe you can ask someone from that family line yourself.”

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