Page 129 of Heartless Legacy

There’s a burn of anger in Thea’s eyes whenever she looks my way. It’s easy to understand why. How can she not think of him when she sees me? She’s justified in wanting revenge. I deserve every ounce of pain she dreams of inflicting. I deserve to bear the punishment for my father’s actions and my own. But we’re not over. She hates me, but that night in the dorms proves she’s still attracted to me. I can work with that.

I plan to turn that hate into something useful. Make her focus it all on me and let it loose in whatever way she chooses. I thought getting time alone with Thea on campus would be impossible with Eloise hovering. But Thea’s resourceful. She came right into Vale Tower and rode my face before slipping out like a shadow wraith. The dorm was busy that night with people rushing off to another challenge. Nobody mentioned seeing her.

I fell for my father’s lies and was such an asshole to her in the beginning. It took me a long time to get my shit together, but when Thea became my companion, I finally admitted she’s perfect for me. I don’t care what she thinks. I don’t care what our current situation suggests. Thea belongs with me and I belongto her.

Pulling out my phone, I log onto the website with the shopping cart I started last year. I hesitated about making this purchase, and then she was gone. I’ve wasted too much time.Losttoo much time. There’s nothing I can give her that will make any of it better, but maybe this will show her that I want to help her regain a small measure of control. Maybe it will convey to her what I can’t say out loud. That I’m willing to give up control. The card will contain a simple note.

For when you’re truly able to overpower me

Chapter 76

Pax

It’s been three days since I received the delivery confirmation email, and Thea hasn’t mentioned receiving the gift I sent. We’re at a birthday party for a first year prospect and I haven’t heard her curse anyone out or threaten anyone yet, which means she’s being a perfect little guest. It’s a shame. The party could use some livening up.

I’m making my way around the room, stopping every few minutes to talk to people. Whenever I get close to her, she rushes off in the opposite direction. I finally intercept her on her way back from the kitchen, forcing her to a corner of the room. My body blocks hers from sight. “What do you want, Pax?” she asks, staring at a spot on my chest.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk about what you were doing the night I caught you sneaking around the dorm.”

Her gaze meets mine. “I wasn’t doing anything.”

“I disagree.” I swipe my tongue across my lips, emphasizing my point.

“If that’s what you want to talk about, you can just keep walking.” Pushing against my chest, she says, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I promised someone a dance.”

I give her space to walk away, and lean against the wall, watching her dance along the edge of the crowd, not getting too close to her partner, shifting around so that he’s never behind her. It’s another hour before she exits the room and doesn’t come back. A few of the other prospects trickle out soon after. I immediately search for Eloise. She’s across the room chatting with her sorority sisters.

After hearing what was supposed to happen in the woods, I’m not risking anyone getting their hands on Thea. When I get outside, I see a group of cars pull off behind her Pontiac Solstice. I race to my car, gunning the engine, taking off after them. At the fork in the road, they turn right, while Thea goes left. I let up off the gas, as I continue to follow her out of town. We drive forty minutes south to a truck stop. From my car, I watch her exit her vehicle and walk across the parking lot. She drags her hand across the handlebars of one of the bikes parked in front of the diner, on her way inside.

Ten minutes later, five more bikes enter the parking lot, circling Thea’s car. Three of the bikers go inside, while the other two watch the door. Leave it to Thea to pull over at a diner that’s probably in the middle of a territory dispute. I exit my car and walk between the bikes. One of her tires is flat, and a guy is pocketing a knife. Leaning against the back bumper, I say, “Lovely weather for a drive, isn’t it?”

No one answers. I didn’t expect them to. Pushing away from the car, I walk over to their friend’s empty bikes, shoving my foot against one, tipping it over.

“You’ve fucked up, buddy.” A guy with a bandana says.

“Have I?”

“It’s rude to touch another man’s bike. I’m gonna have to teach you some-”

I slam my fist into his jaw before he can finish his threat. I know all about not touching someone’s bike. “You touched mygirl’s car. Seemed like a fair tradeoff.” I say, grabbing him by the shoulders and hitting him again.

The other guy rushes toward me, slamming me backwards. The rest of the bikes go down like dominoes. We roll a few times. He winds up on top of me, getting some solid hits in before I turn us again, pinning us to the ground. His booted foot lands against my stomach, knocking me backwards. His buddy grabs me from behind as I climb to my feet. I use one of Thea’s favorite moves, jerking my head back into his, making contact with his nose. He lets go with a grunt and the first guy comes at me again. I duck his fist, slamming mine into his side, followed by a jab and a cross to his face. I hit him with the same amount of force I’d use to knock Holden down.

“What the fuck?” Someone growls, running towards me. I clothesline him as the rest of the bikers file out of the diner. Thea’s in the middle of them staring at me. There’s no way I’ll come out on top if I take them all on. Her safety is the most important thing. I run towards her, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards my car, shoving her inside through the driver’s side. The bikes roar to life behind us. I gun the engine, pulling out of the parking lot, speeding along the highway, trying to outrun the bikes. Thank fuck traffic is light.

“Where are you taking me?” Thea asks, as I take the exit for 10 north. I change lanes, quickly. I no longer hear the bikes, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still following. “How is it that you pull up to a random diner and get into a fight?” I ask, glancing over at her. I reach over her, grabbing the seatbelt and click it in place.

“Me? I wasn’t the one fighting.”

“They slashedyourtire. Out of all the cars in the parking lot, they picked yours. So what did you do?”

She huffs, crossing her arms and stares out the window. “You need to take me back to the diner, Pax.”

“The only place I’m taking you is somewhere you can’t get into any more trouble.”

“I’m serious. You need to take me back or this won’t end well for you.”

She can be mad at me all she wants as long as she’s safe. I snort and turn the volume up on my radio, drowning out the rest of her cute little threats.

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