Page 148 of Heartless Legacy

The side doors open, and the group walks in. They fall in at the front of the room, but I have no problem spotting Thea.

“Prospects present your challenge items.”

One by one, they walk to the podium, setting their offerings down. A recorder walks around with a tablet, calls out the prospect’s name, the item presented, and asks whose item it was, before cataloguing each thing.

I’m noticing a theme. They’ve all presented something that belongs to a second year prospect. First-year prospect pins. A pair of dress shoes that are still in a box. The owner of those shoes lets out a curse. I’m guessing he hasn’t worn them yet. Silk ties. Jewelry. Someone mutters that one of the items up front is a watch that went missing in Palm Springs. A few more people quietly acknowledge the same. It’s ballsy, targeting second-year prospects and stealing from their hotel room in Palm Springs. But it was also smart, taking advantage of our distraction.

“Prospect Theona LaReaux.”

Thea steps up to the dais, placing a large duffle bag on it. She reaches in, pulling out item after item, like it’s Santa Claus’smagic sack. The more things she pulls out, the antsier the people standing around the room get. With each item, I move closer to the front of the group to get a better look. They tried to count my girl out, because they’re all fuckingidiots.

Thea didn’t just take stuff from second year prospects. She’s got something from four prospect years and…

There’s no controlling the shit-eating grin on my face. My eyes snap to the upper levels where the councilmen stand, watching the reveals. All eyes are on my girl, and rightly so.

The last thing Thea presents are the knives I lost on the yacht.

Thea

I step outside after my class to find the Coxsuckers waiting for me. I stroll by them without speaking, heading to The Circle where LJ is waiting for me. “Hey, LJ.” I greet. Her face lights up when she sees me, then loses some of the shine, spotting the guys behind me. “Ignore them.” I say, falling into step beside her.

“It’s kinda hard to do.”

“I know, but just remember they throw all that little dick energy around to compensate for what they lack in personality.”

That makes her laugh. Then we launch into planning our weekend. We’ll be staying at my folks’ place. Moira has a whole girls’ thing planned. We get our food and are still chatting as we settle at our table. LJ tenses slightly as Connor and Austin taketheir seats. Her attention going to Damon’s cousin across the room.

“Would you like to invite her to join us?” I ask, hoping that will help put her at ease.

“You wouldn’t mind?”

Hell yeah, I’d mind. I don’t like new people, but I’ll make an effort for my friend. I nod and give her what I hope is an encouraging smile. “I should get to know her, don’t you think?”

“I’ll go ask if she wants to.”

While she’s gone, I text Sasha.

Thea

Any updates on that project?

Sasha

‘The sweep was clean.

How clean?

He’s a Boy Scout. I’m in the middle of a job, but I’ll keep digging.

I should tell her she doesn’t have to. She says he’s clean. Maybe I’m just projecting my distrust of the male species on him. LJ comes back to the table with the girl in tow. She offers a bubbly greeting to everyone and shoves into the space between LJ and Connor.

“What is that?” Austin asks, dragging my attention to the red concoction in the jello shot cup she places in front of LJ.

The newcomer says, “It’s beet juice powder. I can’t say enough about the health benefits of a wellness shot.”

Connor adds, “We know all about wellness shots. Our nutritionist has us blend them from the vegetable. A powder form would be way more convenient, but he says the additives offset the health benefits. What brand are you using?”

“Oh. It’s a proprietary blend from an up-and-coming nutrition and wellness company that my family is partnering with. It’s not available in stores yet.”

---