Page 26 of Ruthless Legacy

“Not at all. She just has to be an acknowledged and accepted descendent from a legacy family. And as I said before, all parties have to agree and sign the contracts.”

It takes twenty heartbeats for me to turn around and look at him. He winks at me before ducking his head back down to his desk. “See you this weekend.”

Chapter14

Holden

Finn’s bouncing around like a hyperactive puppy, a shit-eating grin on his face. He’s up to something, and by the way he keeps looking at me, I know he’s planning to rope me into whatever it is.

“Just tell me what havoc you’re about to create.”

His smile widens. “It’s not havoc. It’s a well thought out plan that you and I are going to expertly execute.”

“Arewe, now?”

“Yes, absolutely. I can’t do this without you.”

“Me, specifically, or a second body to act as lookout.”

“You, Holden. I needyour helpto pull this off and I don’t mean as the lookout.”

Now I’m cautiously intrigued. “What is this plan, and why should I help?”

“The foundation ofthe planis the same as it’s been for weeks. Make Thea ours.”

I give him a look that says I’m underwhelmed by this plan.

“I know, I know. It seems like the plan blew up in our faces. But that’s Pax’s fault. Not ours. We came clean with her, so we’re not totally on her shit list.”

Finn has a point. She didn’t kick me out of bed when I snuck in to see her. He continues, “So let’s just say we’re navigating an unexpected setback, but the plan is still in motion.”

“You said the foundation is the same. What extraneous items have changed?”

“We need to make her fall hard for us. I’m talking obsessive level need.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s the only way my dad will call off my engagement to Eloise.”

Right. It’s clear now. He wants me to help him convince Thea to fall for him. I’m just, what? Bait? His wing man?

“Wipe that look off your face. I saidus. She needs to fall for you too, so you won’t have to marry someone you don’t want to.”

I stare at my friend. He’s beaming at me like he just gave me the cheat code to access every top secret government server in the world. “You’re talking about sharing her. For real? Beyond school?”

“It’s a real option for us. My dad said no one has ever pulled it off because they’re all power hungry idiots. It’s about more than agreeing on a woman. We’d have to agree to equal terms under the marriage contract, which won’t be a problem. We can do it, and be the most powerful members in The League, without having to compromise our friendship.”

I can see how excited he is. He’s working himself up. It’s my job to manage expectations. “It won’t work, Finn.”

“It’ll be hard work to win her over, but I’d rather devote time to doing that than just accepting a life married to someone I can’t stand.”

“No, I mean it won’t work, because Thea’s going to MISTIC.”

He folds his arms across his chest and gives me a knowing look. “So you haven’t been doing recon on MISTIC’s perimeter, trying to figure out a way to get to her?”

“You’ve been in my room going through my shit.”

“You left the schematics on the coffee table. Thank you for that, by the way, it saved me from having to scale an electric fence.”

---