Page 39 of Novice Girlfriend

Which meant I was going to be lied to.

Lovely.

Did I really expect anything less at this point?

No, but never could I have expected what they wanted from me. I probably should have guessed from the line of questioning, but it sounded too insane, it really did.

I bobbed my head when they were done and met Uncle’s gaze. “And after it’s discovered what I’ve done? When I have no reputation and no one will ever trust me ever again?” I swallowed a sigh when his eyes flashed shock. “None of them are stupid, Uncle. They will figure it out. This could mean jail for me. We both know that.”

“You’re being dramatic, Madeline,” he chuckled, several others following his lead.

“Uncle, it’s corporate espionage to steal trade secrets and that’s what you want. You want me to befriend Bevin and get knowledge. Recipes. Anything I can from Familiar Treasures. The owner. I don’t even know the legal terms for what spying on a top-tier family is, but we know others would kill me.”

“You wanted a way out of your mating and we are giving it to you,” Father snapped.

I looked at him. “And what after? What life will I have after? Prison? Someone who loves Bevin making me disappear?”

Uncle held up his hand to Father. “I think that depends on what you bring us, Madeline.”

I bobbed my head and glanced to where his pocket watch had been before meeting his eyes and letting him see I knew it was a lie. “No. This is another option leading to my probable death and I’d rather just get that over with instead of drawing it out. If you’re not offering me a real deal, then just end it.”

“You will do as you’re—” Father started to blast as he stood and made like he would move towards me, but one of my great-uncles stopped him and made him sit back down.

“She’s the only shot anyone might have and it could be us,” he hissed. “Shut up and control your temper for once.” He didn’t wait for Uncle and focused on me. “What do you want, girl?”

“Out,” I answered honestly. “I want a way out, Uncle. I’ll even accept prison if it comes to that. Serve my sentence quietly as long as there’s no hit put on me or anything, but I want it in writing that I’m free. Some pension to live my own life when I get out or a payout. Just go live quietly and be… Be.”

His eyes flashed shock and then confusion, most of the men there exchanging glances.

The head of the family tapped the table so I focused back on him. “You give it everything you have, truly give it even if yes, it means prison, and I will put it in writing with a magical agreement. No hit in prison and an order of disownment. I’ll buy you a small place where you want, to blend in a city or a cottage with a garden if you want. A reasonable living stipend.”

“Without conditions?” I hedged. “One payout? And the property in my name? No strings.”

He looked impressed that I thought of that. “One million full payout, a place of your choosing under a million, and a vehicle since that will all be tricky for you to purchase after prison. If you get us what we want without prison, the payout will be ten million and you disappear.”

“Deal.” I nodded when his eyes flashed shock. “My fiancé is insane, Uncle. Please hear me and do not let that mating happen with anyone else in our family. No one of our blood deserves that monster.”

“I will add it to the agreement, Madeline. As a sign of good faith.” He gave me a sly smile. “Yours will be to reach out to Bevin Millen and show us that you can meet her outside of school and this is an investment worth our time.”

“May I look at my phone and schedule a moment?” I asked, glad when he nodded, curious even. I pulled it out and looked at my calendar and then the school’s calendar, pulling up a few notices and chats. I met his gaze. “I have to ask what prompted this. If it’s something specific and then I show up, that will make her suspicious.”

“She is smart,” that same great-uncle praised.

I nodded as they explained that Bevin’s camp had information on Neal Wyatt—Professor Wyatt’s older brother—who was our enemy. But also the press conference said Bevin was still “pure” and they were interested in trying to pressure her into mating into our family.

And taking over the Millen family and assets which Bevin had outed she was the head of.

Also, that they weren’t sure they believed that Bevin wasn’t a goddess witch no matter the logic provided. Women had provided it after all and they knew the truth that Charles Shaw wasn’t as smart as people said. He was easy to manipulate but too powerful to overtake, so there was a real chance that some crazy prophecy could really be in play with Bevin.

And Uncle wanted to control that.

But most importantly? The thing that was the biggest priority to every man in that room, what clearly scared them about Bevin?

Her power. Her getting traction in pushing back against the system that gave them everything they wanted. The support she was gathering and women having the audacity to step out of line and think they could join her.

The irony of them coming to a woman to help them fix all of that was completely lost on them. I realized it also gave me an advantage they would never understand.

“That complicates a lot,” I hedged. “Even if she’s trusting and I have a past with Jasmine, they’ll be on high alert. That means a slower on-ramp because you know some idiot will be completely rash knowing she’s head of the family. She—”