Page 25 of Ruthless Legacy

That would be life changing for anyone who’s grown up as a legacy, but Thea’s been living a life away from here. One I’m starting to suspect is more colorful than any of us could ever imagine. She’s used to being on her own. Fighting for everything.

The Hughes’s have made a nice life for themselves, outside of the benefit of league membership. And if they cared about The League, they wouldn’t have lied and done what they did to begin with.

No, the only person who would see a downside to this is Joshua Laurent. “Joshua doesn’t have a son running around out there?”

His lips twitch. “If he does, he hasn’t mentioned it. I think his plans always hinged on marrying his daughters off to the best match possible, and them having sons.”

I give my dad a wry smile. “That is how it goes, isn’t it?” And since he brought up the idea of arranged marriages, I ask, “What are the steps for successfully amending a marriage contract?”

“Interesting segue. Are there some terms in yours that you’d like to modify?”

The whole damn thing.My answer must show on my face, because he’s shaking his head. “Dad…”

“Finn, there’s a difference between modifying and terminating, and there are consequences for both.”

“Modifying.”

“Okay, that can be as simple as taking the contract to the lawyer and drafting an amendment. The other family will probably counter and then once we agree on the changes, we’ll sign. Which is where things currently stand.”

“So my marriage to Eloise isn’t set in stone? It’s still in the negotiation stages?”

“Technically, yes. But it’s been approved by The League and it would definitely require high council approval to change it, which they’re unlikely to do unless you are no longer fit to marry, or a better option comes along for either of you.” He arches a brow and says, “You’re a Trium. There is no better offer for her.”

Yeah, that part. We’re the top of the food chain at school, and even though we start at the bottom like all prospects, we’re destined to go far in The League. “What if a better option comes along for me?”

He thinks about his answer. Then, with a sad shake of his head, he says, “If there were a better one, I’d have already matched you to her. I know you want the kind of relationship your mother and I have, and you and Eloise don’t seem to be there yet. But you can cultivate it. Grow it. She’s a solid match.” He huffs out a sigh. “And that’s what you need. Someone who can help you and stand her own against the wives Pax and Holden will end up with.”

“Because it always becomes a competition between The Trium after graduation.”

“With every Trium before, yes.”

“Pax, Holden, and I aren’t like that. We don’t want to compete with each other. We’re best friends. We support each other.” Aren’t we proving that now? I want to strangle Pax for the shit with Eloise, but I’ve still got his back.

“I know, and I hope you guys can maintain that closeness, but you need to be prepared that it won’t be that way forever. The women you marry will play a huge role in whether you nurture or neglect your friendship.”

“That’s not a problem if we all have the same wife.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize I’m talking out loud. I’ve thought it. I’vebeenthinking about it, but this isn’t the way I wanted to bring this topic up to my dad.

His gaze bores into mine. “The same. Wife?”

“That’s in the rules, right? I think I read it somewhere.”

“Somewhere? Like in the paperwork in my safe, you nosy little shit?”

I shrug. I waspracticing my lock picking skills, like one of the guys in Japan taught me. Dad’s office door and desk were the test subjects. It’s not my fault he left his safe open, with the rejected marriage contract between him, Malcolm, and Parker Sullivan sitting right on top for me to read. So were the copies of the rejected contracts from other Triums. My dad’s contract incorporated all the issues that were cited as reasons for the other contracts being denied.

The hold out for his Trium was Malcolm and the expectations he had for his wife. This was way before dad matched with my mom and Holden’s dad matched with his. Malcolm was the last person in their Trium to get a wife.

“Okay, then. Yes, there is a rule in the treaty of families that allows parties to share a wife. But everyone would have to agree on the bride that’s chosen, and she’d have to agree to be united with each of you as well. Not to mention, each of the families involved would have to agree on the terms of everyone else’s contract. Not one family line can walk away with an advantage over the others. From the number of times you’re seen out in public alone, to the number and gender of kids you have.” He leans back in his seat. “It’s an archaic law. No one in the history of The League has ever entered that type of arrangement, and they likely never will, because power is currency in our world.”

He’s basically saying it’s a balancing act on a tightrope in the middle of a hurricane. I stand, done with my visit. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

“Sure thing. I’ll see you this weekend for dinner, and if there is something you need amended in your contract with Eloise, we can go over it then.”

“Can’t wait.” I drawl. The only thing I need amended is the name on the contract, but my father just said the magic words.Power,and the person who I’m stupidly fantasizing about giving my name, doesn’t have any. In fact, she just torched the only opportunity she had to be relevant in our world. Although that was a different issue, since we can’t mix with guardian lines.

“Son, I really want the three of you to get everything you desire in life. Happiness, success, love, and an enduring friendship. Your mother and I desperately want that for you. It’s just too bad the legacy daughters that grow up here aren’t taught to share.”

My hand lingers on the doorknob, when I catch the meaning of his last statement, “Does it have to be a legacy daughter that grew up here?”

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