Page 31 of Ruthless Legacy

“I’m so proud of you right now. That was an excellent diss.”

She blushes and brushes me off. “Come on. Don’t try to make this about me. You owe me an explanation about why The Trium had you spread out like a buffet on the table.”

“It’s simple. I was using Finn to piss Eloise off.”

“Uh, huh. And who were you using Holden to piss off?”

“Nobody. He just jumped in.”

She places her order and says, “You didn’t stop him.”

“When Holden makes up his mind, there is no stopping him.”

She turns to gawk at me.

“Why’s your mouth open like you’re a clown at one of those water gun games at the carnival?”

She sounds scandalized when she asks, “Have you been hooking up with Holden?”

“No! Why would you ask that?”

She gives me this look like she knows I’m full of shit. I think Sasha taught it to her. God, I wanna smush her face. “Fine.” I hiss. “I’ll explain it to you later, not here.”

“I want all the details, Thea. Every. Single. One.”

“No, bitch. We are not going that deep into my pussy.”

“That’s what you should be telling your men.”

Now my mouth gapes open. That is such a Sasha-ism. “You know what? I don’t think I like this friendship you’ve developed with Sasha. She’s not a positive role model for you.”

Chapter16

Thea

Iup the speed on the treadmill, picking up my pace. I need to be faster in case I find myself in a situation that requires running for my life. A fact I have to remind myself isn’t that far a stretch of the imagination. This past week, I’ve found myself staring into the crowd, more and more. I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that I’m being followed. I haven’t spotted anyone yet, but I won’t ignore my instincts. History is an excellent teacher, so I’ve decided to confront my neighbors. Lucky me, they walk into the gym together.

“Morning, Pet.”

I huff out air as I maintain a sprint, finishing my run. The timer goes off, and I slow my pace to a brisk walk to cool down. They break off to do their individual workouts. When they look like they’re settling into the zone, I ask, “Which one of you fuckers is following me?”

Pax stops mid pushup, Holden is bent in half in his sun salutation, and Finn hangs upside down from the inverted sit up bench. Is that how he got those abs?

Okay, focus, Thea. This isn’t Adonis belt appreciation time. I glare at each of them, waiting for a response. Pax is the one who answers. “Nobody’s following you.”

“As if I’d trust you to tell me if you were.” I look over at Finn. He’s the one who keeps saying he feels something for me. He’s the one in my messages wanting tofixthings between us. Maybe stalking me is his way of spending time with me. It’s happened before. “Finn, are you following me?”

Pax answers for him. “Finn’s not following you.”

“I didn’t know you had your hand up his ass. Does this mean every time Finn talks, it’s really your thoughts?”

Finn straightens, unhooks his legs, and stands. “When was this?”

Pax huffs, “Come on Finn, you know it’s not you. She’s making this shit up.”

Finn ignores him and repeats his question. “When were you being followed?”

“Last night, and Saturday in town, for sure, and maybe after lunch on Wednesday.”

---