Page 117 of Ruthless Legacy

“I need you, Wolfe.”

“I need you too, Sweetness. You can’t be disappearing on me like that without giving my dick a good workout first.”

“I need you to meet me somewhere.”

“Time and place, and this time don’t even think about leaving before I get there.”

She sighs, putting me on edge. “It’s not that kind of hookup, Wolfe.”

“What’s going on Thea?”

“I’ll explain everything when I see you.”

Thea wasn’t being coy when she said this wasn’t a meetup for a hookup, and the explanation she promised won’t be happening. At least not before I step into the middle of whatever shit is happening inside the building in front of me.

I exit my car, on guard as I approach the cathedral The League uses for some of its ceremonies. My grandfather’s stood guard at the door or patrolled the grounds over the years. As a kid, I thought it was cool to walk alongside him as he did a preliminary sweep of the premises before an event. That was before I was old enough to see just how much of a grip The League had on him.

A guard stops me outside the door, takes my phone, keys, and checks me for weapons. When he’s done, he leads me inside, right up to the front of the room. Whatever’s going on here is interesting enough to draw a crowd of fifty, but not important enough for anyone in the high council to attend. Thea’s sitting alone in a chair facing the pews. She doesn't look at me as I approach.

“Mr. Wolfe, thank you for joining us.”

“What the hell am I doing here?” I bite back a smile as Atlas Ryder scowls at me. I told him years ago he’d never get a formal greeting out of me. I’m a private citizen, and no matter what my arrangement with The League is, I don’t have to, want to, or choose to kiss any of their asses.

“Our latest group of selectees has advanced to the next stage in joining our ranks. It’s both an exciting and challenging time.”

I check to see if there’s an empty seat close by. I prefer to sit if he’s gonna draw this out.

“We have a longstanding tradition of offering extra support to our selectees by assigning mentors to guide them through the prospect period.”

“Good for them. What does that have to do with me?”

A man I’ve seen at various fights over the years steps forward, placing a hand on Thea’s shoulder. He says, “Absolutely nothing. Selectee LaReaux doesn’t understand how things work around here, but she’s not your problem to deal with. I’ll take care of it.”

I flick my gaze from his hand to Atlas’ face. Speaking without being formally recognized by the person running the meeting is usually a big no-no. If Atlas is upset, he doesn’t show it.

I address the guy touching my girl. “I know from experience just how strong willed and opinionated Miss LaReaux can be.”

He puffs out his chest. “That’s right. We’ve all heard about or seen her lack of discipline. If she’s to succeed here, she needs a firm hand to guide her. Someone familiar with our organization, to keep her on track.”

“Indeed.”

He looks over his shoulder and nods. “Let’s give him the paperwork to formally reject the nomination. I’m sure he’s anxious to get back to his little gym.”

The pompous ass assumes I’m too stupid to catch on that they haven’t explained anything, or answered my question about why I’m here. Someone steps forward with a piece of paper and a pen. I direct my next question to Atlas. “Do you really expect me to just sign a document you’ve drafted without letting me or my lawyer read it first?”

“It’s all standard language we use within our organization. Any attorney here would tell you the same.”

Any one of their attorneys. Mine would say burn the paperwork and the pen. “The organization you’ve already pointed out I’m not a part of?” I pin the lower council members with my gaze. “Perhaps you should walk me through this. Explain what brought us to this point, where I need to reject something, so we’re all on the same page.”

“We cannot divulge everything, but as for how you’ve come to be here today; the mentor commission appointed Leonardo Burke to mentor Selectee LaReaux. She declined the candidate and submitted your name as a replacement.”

Of course she did. “I see.”

“We’ve consulted the bylaws, and she was well within her rights to submit a name for consideration. However, the mentor we’ve appointed does not wish to relinquish his duty. As you’ve been named an alternate, you may accept or decline the nomination. If you wish to accept, you must formally challenge Leonardo for the position.”

I’ve avoided this group as much as possible. I never had any intention of getting more involved with them. But I’m also not about to just hand my girl over to them. Old Leo is barely containing his erection right now with people watching. I can only imagine how he’ll be when he has her alone.

“Do you intend to challenge for the honor of mentoring our selectee, Mr. Wolfe?”

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