Heartless Legacy (Heartless Heirs of Canyon Falls #4)

52. Thea

Chapter 52

Thea

I ’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel after what I did to Lazarros’s torture playground. Seeing that place filled me with so much anger. So much rage. I wanted to see it burn, and it did. Now, I feel hollow inside. Maybe it’s because I purged my emotions on that dirt driveway before Wolfe showed up with the gasoline and matches.

Neither of us is worried about someone finding out what I did. Alexz’s people had already blown half the building apart when they rescued me. I did it a favor by destroying the rest of it. I did the world a favor by getting rid of it. Nobody will be enduring any sessions in that place ever again.

With that thought comes a sense of rightness. The first spark of feeling I’ve had all day, accompanied by the sudden motivation to get off the couch and do something. I take a quick shower and throw on something other than the sweatpants or yoga pants I’ve been living in since my return.

I put on some jeans, a graphic t-shirt and my boots. I stash my serrated blades in the harness I liberated from the armory at the west coast compound, and slip my favorite jacket on over it. Checking out my reflection, I’m satisfied with what I see. I look like me, instead of a wraith, yet, not like me. It’s the hair. The only dye that remains is at the very tips, but it’s dull, flat, and lifeless.

When I decided to get dressed, it was with no real plan or destination in mind. Now I know what I want to do. Moira picks up on the second ring. “Thea, honey, are you okay?”

“Yes. Yes. I’m okay. Um… I have a question.”

“What is it, honey?”

“Do you have a hair salon that’s safe, that you recommend and takes walk-ins?”

“I do.”

“Can I have the number?”

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll come get you and we’ll make a day of it.”

“Aren’t you working? You can’t just take off for a hair day.”

“Thea. If you called and asked me to bring you a bagel, I would leave work and do it.”

“That’s crazy. Why would you-”

She cuts me off. “It’s not crazy. I know you’re not comfortable being back and I know you’re strong and brave and can take care of yourself. But I can take care of you too, by sitting in a chair and making sure none of those gossipy bitches say anything about my child.”

My brows shoot up and my tongue stays silent. What can I say to that? And truthfully, I’m a little relieved that I won’t have to go alone. “I’m ready whenever you get here.”

The low hum of enthusiasm I’m feeling about getting my hair done evaporates the moment I step outside of my room. There’s a Trium asshole sitting on the floor outside of my door. The security in this building has been impeccable until now.

“Who did you flirt with to let you in?” His smile is instantaneous, and I realize how my question must’ve sounded. “You know what, never mind. I’ll just report you to the front desk on my way out.”

“Report me? For what?”

“For being a nuisance.”

“I’m sitting here, quietly minding my own business.”

“You’re sitting outside of my door. You’re not on my approved visitors list, and I didn’t sign you in for today. So you’re breaking the rules and whoever was stupid enough to let you inside will get in trouble for it.”

Finn shrugs. Just shrugs at the possibility of whoever helped him, getting into trouble for letting him roam the halls unchaperoned. Did I expect anything different? I honestly don’t know. Finn’s cruel, but he can also be sweet, depending on whatever outcome he’s aiming for. So assuming he sweet-talked his way inside might have been a bit na?ve on my part. He could just as easily have threatened his way in. I know firsthand that people will happily choose to get in trouble for breaking the rules, rather than deal with an angry Finn.

I’m on the third floor of the building, closest to the stairwell, which makes it easier for me to come and go without crossing paths with too many people. There are six other rooms at this end of the hall, but I hardly ever see or hear my neighbors. Basically, they’re the perfect people to live around.

I lock my door and walk towards the stairs, hoping that just this once, whoever he’s waiting for, isn’t me. Hope fades faster than a helium balloon with a hole in it. He climbs to his feet and follows.

“Heading out?” He asks.

“Nope. Staying in.” I dart through the stairwell door and down the stairs, trying to outpace him. He merely slides down the railing and waits for me on the next landing. I’m impressed, but continue to ignore him.

When we make it to the ground floor, I push through the doors that lead to the back of the building. He’s still following. “You’re supposed to check out at the end of your visit, Finn.”

“That rule is for people who have checked-in.”

“Everyone’s visitor is supposed to check in.”

“But I’m not a visitor.”

“Aren’t you?”

“No. I don’t know anyone in this building except you, and you won’t put me on the approved visitor’s list or come down and sign me in. That means I’m not visiting.”

“So you’re trespassing.”

“Squatting might be a better word.”

“Squatting means taking up residence in a place that doesn’t belong to you without paying rent, and the squatter refuses to leave.”

Nodding, he says, “Then it’s definitely a better word.”

“You don’t live in my building, Finn.”

“I napped in the hallway and had a snack. Close enough.”

“Is there something wrong with your fancy ass dorm room in Vale Tower?” I scoff.

“Yes. You don’t live there.”

“Come on, Finn. Be for real. You’re not sleeping in the hallways because I don’t live in Vale Tower.”

“Ummmm, but I am.” I stop and stare at him, at a loss for words. “The plan was for us to be neighbors this year.” He scrunches his nose up as he looks at the building. “I don’t even know why you’re in this hellhole.”

I bristle at his tone. “It’s a nice building.”

“It’s too far away from everything and drafty and has an atrocious visitation policy.”

“The visitation policy is a school-wide dorm policy. The fact that the front desk enforces it, and the location of said building being situated from everyone and everything, are some of the best things about this dorm. The security sucks at Vale Tower. You have people breaking into rooms all the time over there.”

I hurry to the visitors’ parking lot to meet Moira, relieved and yet slightly disappointment when he doesn’t follow.

LJ’s at the hair salon when we arrive. I texted her last minute to see if she wanted to hang out, and I’m glad I did. I miss her. She has bags under her eyes and is clutching a coffee like her life depends on it. “Coffee at this time of day? Won’t that have you up all night?”

“That’s the point. I need to be up all night. I’ve got a test to cram for.”

“Don’t you mean go over your notes for the hundredth time?” I tease.

“Cram. I haven’t even read the chapters yet.”

I laugh, thinking she’s joking, but the sound dies off the moment I realize she’s not. “LJ. Are you okay?” I ask, pressing my hand to her forehead.

She swats it away with an off-key laugh. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You’re the one person I can rely on to always be ready for tests and to turn your assignments in early.”

“That was before.”

“Before? Before what?” My mouth drops open. “Oh, before your boy-friiieeend. ” I wiggle my brows suggestively and shimmy my hips. This time, her laugh is more genuine.

“Why do you say it like that? And you need to put away all that hip action.”

“That’s what I need to be saying to you, cause you clearly been getting too much hip action if you’re not ready for your test.”

“I’ll be fine after a couple of all-nighters.”

We step into the salon and I can’t help but tease her again. “The all-nighters you’ve been engaging in might be the problem.” My playfulness dies off when we step up to the counter next to Moira. Her lips are pressed together in a tight line. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.” She’s looking at the receptionist in a way that suggests otherwise.

With a roll of my eyes, I ask, “Are they talking shit about me already?”

“No. This one’s talking shit about me , but it’s all resolved because she’d like to keep her job, and the ability to talk. Isn’t that right?”

My head whips around so hard and fast my neck cracks. Is this my mild-mannered auntie-mom? Cause I don’t think I’ve ever heard such venom in her voice. I’ve damn sure never heard her threaten anyone before. A woman rushes over from the back of the salon. “Mrs. Hughes. Hi. Did I hear correctly? You have three that will be getting washed and styled today?”

Moira’s gaze still hasn’t strayed from her future victim. “Yes, you did.”

“Excellent. I’m finishing up with a client. Millicent will back from her break in about ten minutes, and Sondra is getting her station set up. We’ll get you all taken care of. Would you care for some champagne while you wait?”

The girl behind the reception desk says, “Sondra isn’t here.”

“I’m not?” Comes another voice from the other side of the room.

The reception girl answers, “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“But now I am.” She walks closer, smiling at me. “You must be Thea.”

“I am.”

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Sondra, and I am already envisioning so much we can do with your hair.” She waves at me with the scissors she’s holding. “Come on back. Do you like layers? And I see you’re into color. Wanna reboot that, or get rid of it all together?”

My hand goes to the inside of my jacket. LJ steps forward, placing her hand on my arm. “You don’t need your knife, Thea.” She whispers.

“She’s holding a weapon and trying to get me alone.”

“She’s holding styling scissors.”

Sondra glances over at me and smiles. She moves the scissors to her other hand and flashes a familiar sign. I release the hold on my knife and walk towards her, more at ease. “I wanna reboot, but I’m not sure of the color.”

“I’ve got plenty of pictures we can go through. Trust me, Thea. I’m gonna take real good care of you.”