Page 61 of Ruthless Legacy

I need to start thinking of creative ways to make it look like an accident.

Chapter26

Thea

One week of cycling through the lower legacy tables, and I can say with absolute certainty, I prefer the ones at the back of the room over any of the others. They’re referred to as barrels, as in bottom of, and they are the realest individuals I’ve met, wearing the stupid legacy title. They bitch and moan about things being unfair, and spill all kinds of dirt about the other tables.

One of them comes from a family line that are historians. Basically librarians of The League of the Daggered Ravens archives. I think it’s an important job, but only the lead historian is what’s called a ranked member. It’s basically a Department Head position, and if you don’t hold that title, you’re a nobody.

Ranked membership is the only way to break free from the monetary restrictions of your bloodline. As if making half a million a year is something to frown upon. Because nobody at the barrel table comes from a family making less than that. I don’t even know how much Scott and Moira make, but Joshua is definitely a billionaire. The subterfuge regarding my birth is the reason he’s on the lower end of the middle legacy scale. That’s the next table over, but they were “full”. Thank god for that.

LJ laughs at something the girl across from her says. That’s another reason I like it back here. They haven’t been tools about the days LJ sits with me.

The guy to my right says. “Anybody heard any news about what’s happening this weekend or will it be another night at the dorms?”

Someone else says, “I know, right? There haven’t been any parties since we came back to school.”

I wave a fry in the air, grabbing their attention. “That’s not true. LJ and I went to The Lady Lion’s back to school bash. It was epic.”

It was a few days after that party that I briefly thought things between me and two-thirds of the Trium were changing. I was wrong.

“He means a Rho Beta Psi party. There should have been at least one by now, but their suspension…”

The girl clamps her mouth shut, realizing what she was saying. The suspension that happened because of me. I settle into the awkward pause lingering in the air. She sputters, “But that’s all fixed now. The crossover process starts tomorrow. I’m sure there’s something scheduled for this weekend.”

They launch into a conversation about what they think the ceremony will be like and where they think the party will be. When the word cemetery comes up, I vote myself out of attendance. When someone says all legacies are expected to support, I add another vote in the no column. I agreed to eating and not being overly confrontational in public. I didn’t agree to spend all my free time with them. But, I am in the mood for some dancing and fun, and I know just the place I want to go.

LJ and I are exiting the dining hall when she asks, “Are you going to the party they were talking about?”

“No one invited me to the party, and besides, we have other plans.”

“We?”

“That’s right. There’s a club I want to check out and you’re going with me.” I shake my head before she can refuse. “We’ve both been studying hard and the only social functions we’ve gone to are the Lady Lion’s open house and sunrise breakfast. Let’s go have some fun while everyone else is busy making fools of themselves over this crossover ceremony.”

She pulls to a stop and I do the same, turning to face her with a smile on my face. It slips almost immediately. I don’t have to pretend for LJ. “I don’t want to be on campus that night. I can’t be on campus when they’re doing some super sketchy fraternity and sorority shit.”

“Oh, my gosh. Thea. Yes,of coursewe’re going to a club.”

“I um. I’m gonna probably stay at the house the entire weekend, so if you wanted to spend the night, you can.”

“Girl, I will have my bags packed and ready to go as soon as my last class lets out.”

I let out a breath. This time, my smile is genuine. “Great. Let’s make a list of the snacks and food we want, and I’ll let Cora know.”

* * *

“Are you sure this is the place?” LJ scrunches her cute little nose as we wait our turn in line.

“Yup. This is it.” I passed this place while I was playing Christmas elf. It’s the club I told Wolfe I was coming to when he stood me up for drinks. I hadn’t changed my mind about coming. I just delayed it. It’s gritty and dark. Just what I need to offset the scent of exclusivity I reek of.

“Nobody we know is gonna come here.”

“That’s what makes it so perfect. We don’t want to run into anyone we know. That’s the whole point of coming, remember?”

The bouncer lets us inside. While paying the cover charge, LJ says, “When you said club, I thought you meant one near campus.”

I grab her hand and twirl her around as we make our way to the bar. “The regulars there have already seen our amazing dance moves. Time to share them with the world.”

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