Page 6 of Heartless Legacy

“Of course it’s a problem, Paxton. Neither the Charles’ nor the Rhodes’ ever suggested there was a breakdown in negotiations or an interest in withdrawing their contract. So for you to suddenly submit a petition to marry…well…” He gives me a pointed look. “That would suggest you’ve been disloyal to your brother.” He taps his fingers against the table. “Have you and Miss Charles been intimate behind Finley’s back?”

Thank god I don’t have to lie about this part. “No, grandfather. We haven’t.”

“So he was already aware of your interest?”

“He was not. Things happened suddenly, but I can assure you he’s fine with the way things have turned out with Eloise.” It’s the truth and since I know Finn hasn’t submitted a challenge to my application, my grandfather has no reason to doubt what I’m saying.

“Be that as it may, I can’t let your relationship to me undermine the process. We will follow the rules. Your contract is in preliminary negotiations. For now, we’ll formally recognize Miss Charles as your companion. We’ll administer the oath and she’s subjected to be tested and tried just like all the others, in addition to fulfilling her obligations as a prospect. Her success or failure falls on your shoulders.” He cuts into his eggs. “Take better precautions to ensure this one doesn’t run off.”

That jab’s about Thea. Is he suggesting I had something to do with her absence? I wish I could tell him. I wish I could explain she’d be here if she could, and that it’s his son who’s keeping her away. Instead, I jerk my chin and say, “Understood, grandfather.”

Pax

It’s been two months. Twoagonizingmonths since Thea disappeared. That’s what I’m calling her absence, because I’m not allowed to tell anyone that my father kidnapped her and has her hidden away at Rockridge.

In public, I pretend everything’s fine. In private, I embrace that I’m a mess. I have no motivation to do anything. To go anywhere. To be. Ironically, being in public is basically the only thing keeping me alive. To what should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone; behind closed doors, I’m dodging assassination attempts from my best friend.

I’ve narrowly avoided a few in public, too. Everyone jokes about Finn trying to kill me because I took his girl. A girl is involved, just not the one they think it is. The bitch I’m forced to smile at and pretend to want is the last person he’d go murdery over.

I have a newfound respect for him. I don’t know how he dealt with Eloise all those years when his heart wasn’t in it. I’ve contemplated pushing her in front of one of his blades, and concocting a story that she jumped in front of it to save my life. But I don’t, because I know Thea’s life is tied to my relationship with Eloise. The summer’s dragging on, but enduring the miseryin my parent’s house gives me a chance to keep an eye on my father. He’s been home more than usual, which I consider a good thing, because if he’s home, at the office, or at The Tomb, then that means he’s not at Rockridge making good on his threats.

We’re at another planning session regarding this god awful marriage contract. Lucky for me, my father is a greedy bastard, and he’s getting pushback from Liam Charles. Dad’s rejected all the concessions the Rhodes’ were willing to give, and is demanding a majority stake in Liam’s company.

I could give two shits about inheriting those shares, but I’m realizing that despite what I’ve been told throughout my childhood, the decisions I choose for myself as an adult don’t matter. My father’s only goal is to dethrone his father, in the splashiest way possible. I wanted to topple mine too, but I didn’t plan on ruining his life to do it.

When he reveals Thea’s stay at Rockridge to chambers, to disparage the decision-making authority of the high council, he’ll definitely be one step closer to calling a vote of no confidence. I just wish I knew what other things he has planned. This is where Holden’s computer skills and Finn’s shadowy behavior or even his mental hacking would come in handy. But I can’t go to them for help. I have to survive this on my own.

“What do you think, Pax?”

I drag my attention from my glass to Eloise. Has she been talking? I hadn’t even noticed. “About what?”

“About me moving into the fourth room at Vale Tower.” She drops her gaze and blushes. “Unless you think I should move in with you.”

I think both ideas are equally horrible. I don’t want her on my floor. In fact, the only reason I’ll be able to close one eye at night is because there will be so many levels of concrete between us. Now she’s lobbying for Thea’s room because of our contract? “I think that the fourth bedroom is empty once again and weshould leave it that way.” I give her dad a tight smile. “We wouldn’t want Eloise to go through the same problems the last resident did.”

He squints, then nods. Does he know that the last resident had problems because of his precious devil spawn? How long has he been colluding with my dad, or is he being blackmailed into this too?

“Pax is right.” My father says from the head of the table. “That room will remain empty until the council appoints a new bloodline.”

“Then it’s settled.” Eloise says, lifting her glass. “I’ll move in with Pax.”

It’s my mother who answers. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, young lady. We’re still negotiating, and we wouldn’t want overeager hormones complicating things.”

Her meaning is clear. She won’t make it easy for Eloise to slip into my bed andaccidentallyknock herself up. I don’t for one second think my mother’s on my side in this. She’s just doing what she always does. Trying to find an angle she can exploit.

“Oh Pax, dear boy.” She says, “Stick around for a bit after dinner. I have something for you.” Case in point, she stuck up for me. Now I need to do something for her. The doing is probably some horny legacy wife. I’m not even sure I can still perform since I’ve had my mouth on Thea, but right now, being in The League’s good graces is the only thing I can do to keep from drowning in my father’s schemes. I should be able to bullshit my way through an evening with whoever they have me seducing without actually touching her.

My father’s jaw ticks, because for now, league assignments are still something he can’t control.

Thea

“Tick, tock. Tick, tock.”

My senses slowly come back online as I regain consciousness. Shifting, I slowly push myself to a sitting position. The familiar feel of biting metal wraps around my wrists. My eyes clear enough to focus on my hand, which is handcuffed to the bed. I’m in a different room than I was the last time I was lucid.

That day, I forced myself to throw up, feigning a stomach bug. I had just enough energy to smash an orderly's head into the wall when he decided to say fuck Malcolm’s rules and check what’s under the hood. I made it as far as the nurses’ station before anyone noticed. The doctor on duty threw his oath to do no harm right out the window and ignored the protocol of giving me breaks between periods of sedation. I guess answering to Malcolm was scarier than the risk of losing his medical license or being sued for malpractice.

This room is smaller than my previous cell. Sparse, with just a bed and instead of the prison jumpsuit I was in, I’m wearing sweats.

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