Page 75 of Ruthless Legacy

Now that I’ve gotten a basic history lesson about The League, I’ve got two days to decide if I’m opting in or out of joining.

Pax says, “This isn’t a college sorority, Thea. This decision is permanent, and they expect you to hold up your end of the agreement. There are very real consequences when you don’t.”

“That only applies if I make it through, right?”

“These people don’t trust anyone. There is no walking away. If you accept their invitation, you’ll be bound to The League and their rules in some way, no matter the outcome. Trust me when I say you’ll be doing more than just sitting at a legacy table.”

Chapter33

Thea

“Hey, Van.” I wave at the clean-up crew behind the hotel and diner. “What’s all this?”

“Some kids broke into the diner.” She points to the wall, “and put up some original artwork.”

“Damn. Did you catch them?”

“No, the cameras were off back here.”

“Night crew didn’t notice?”

“We’ve been having issues with the camera feeds for a few days. We’ve reset them twice already, but it didn’t help. The tech was supposed to come tomorrow to troubleshoot the system.”

That last part of her statement catches my attention. “Seems kinda convenient that the vandalism happened right before the tech comes.” Her face says she’s suspicious of the timing too. “What’s going on Van?”

“I don’t want to speculate.”

“Well, I do. So tell me.”

“It’s been a while since any of us has had issues down here. But the last time was when the city was buying up all the properties and we refused to sell.”

Sounds like classic intimidation tactics. The gangs in Nags Creek do the same thing. Harass the shop owners in exchange for protection. It’s a ripoff because you’re paying the very organization you need protection from. “Is the city offering to buy you out again?”

She holds the door open for me. As I step inside, she says, “There have been some calls and a few visits. But that was months ago, and I don’t think they’d have waited this long to try to pressure us into changing our minds. It’s a seller’s market. The amount we could fleece them for would make it a bad investment right now.”

“Okay, then who else could you and the diner have pissed off? Some locals you didn’t want loitering?”

“Not at all. You know how the diner is. Everyone’s welcome, and we like to see the locals on the beach. It’s what sets us apart from the resorts up the road. We’re a community down here.” She frowns. “Even if I had a disgruntled guest or employee, that wouldn’t have anything to do with the diner.”

One of the maids walks up to us and says, “Or the gelato shop. Someone messed with their circuit breakers and everything melted.”

My voice hitches up. “My gelato shop three doors down?”

The maid chuckles. “I wasn’t aware you owned it, but yes, Fellini Dolce.”

I stare at the number showing on the caller ID of my phone. “The hotel is calling me.”

We walk to the lobby. Guest relations is slow, and nobody’s on the phone. The phone stops ringing and the diner’s number pops up next. It stops after the third ring, then the gelato shop.

The whole pattern repeats. The hotel, the diner, the gelato shop. “Fuck!”

“Thea?” I look up and see the concern on Van’s face. “What is it hun?”

“I think I know what you all did to piss someone off.”

“What?”

I lower my voice and respond, “Befriended me.”

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