Page 42 of Novice Girlfriend

She shouldn’t try to save me. Gods help me and poor Sadie forgive me, but I was pretty sure that was the actual answer, and I wasn’t sure if it was selfless or weak of me.

Kindness practically surrounded Bevin like a blanket as she squatted down in front of me. “Try me. I bet I can shock you more than you can me, Maddie.”

I let out a dark bark of laughter. “The head of my family thinks you’re really a goddess witch and won’t stop until you’re his. I’m pretty sure we both know how he wants you, and even if you’re not, I don’t think he’ll acknowledge that. I think he’ll move forward anyways and try to make other heads your stars and combine families under his power.”

She swallowed loudly, probably not having been ready for that level of insanity, but then she let out a slow breath. “I’m the owner of Familiar Treasures.”

It took me a full minute to make my mouth work. “You win.”

Bevin chuckled. “I normally do with that one, but you can imagine how hard it’s been. So my freedom wasn’t just handed to me as you and others think. I’ve fought and suffered for it.” She tilted her head and studied me. “Are you willing to fight for yours? Take the hits that are required?”

“If it’s real,” I rasped, begging her with my eyes. “Please, just let it be real because I’d rather just die than go back to what they’ll do to me.”

Something a bit dark filled her eyes. “Maddie, I don’t plan for any of these bastards to be left standing when we’re done with them. This is war. It will take a long time, but make no mistake, you’re signing up for war if you come to our team. You don’t have to be on the front lines, but we’re fighting and we won’t stop fighting.”

Could I do that?

She stood and held out her hand to me. “The choice is yours, but I’ll know if you’re lying.” She gave a half shrug like she knew that was harsh but thought it was best to be honest. “Clare doesn’t regret it. I didn’t have a choice. It was break free or die, but she had a choice and loves her new life.”

“What exactly are you asking of me?” I whispered as I stared at her hand.

Bevin let out a slow breath and considered it, which I appreciated. “Be a double agent for one. I have a plan, but I want you to work your family.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me when my mouth fell open. “Fuck them. Get your revenge for how they’ve treated you, Maddie. You deserve better. Nothing is more therapeutic than pulling the wool over them.”

That was true. I’d already felt that, but it wasn’t done, so I’d also been too nervous to enjoy it.

“What else?” I hedged.

“Be in charge of others like you,” she answered easily like she’d been planning this, nodding like she knew where my mind was. “I wasn’t just talking out my butt that day in the cafeteria people talk about. I fully believe this is what my grandfather wanted for me becoming the head of the Millen family.

“He wanted me to rebuild it with the good people of the top-tier families who want out. Who aren’t evil and see how fucked up it all is. The Millens were one of the few who were honest and did good for our society. The others corrupted and then ate them because of it. Targeted them specifically until the pressure—deals with the devils like the humans say.”

Something like that, but she was close enough.

“Promise me you won’t ever give up on me or cut me loose,” I whispered.

“Promise,” she said immediately and I believed her. “As long as you never betray us. If you’re on the team, we’re all in. Ride or die.”

I took her hand and stood.

“Well done, Ms. Dotson,” Mrs. Reid said from my right and made me yelp. She simply raised an eyebrow like I was silly for not thinking that others would be around to protect Bevin.

Fair enough, but she was mated to the head of the council, so I wouldn’t have thought she would be there. Some of the others with her? Sure.

“You okay?” Jasmine asked me as she stepped closer.

“No,” I rasped, shaking my head. “It’s been—it’s so bad that I was mad he didn’t kill me that day.” I broke down sobbing when Jasmine hugged me, finally admitting how bad I was—letting out what I’d been carrying alone.

“We got you now, Maddie,” she whispered. “Tell us everything and Bevin has a plan. We’ll get things started and get you someplace safe. You can heal and help others. I know that’s what you always really wanted.”

I wasn’t sure it was, but I’d never really been in a position to even consider it. I took a deep breath and handed my phone to Jasmine, giving her the passcode.

She smiled when she saw what I had it opened to, reading the message I’d typed out to Uncle. “‘Taylor Reid won’t allow Bevin to ‘help’ me unless it’s all in. I was right and several top-tier idiots made moves and he wants us all locked out. I agreed to whatever they want to save me.

“‘I’ll contact you from a different email or burner as soon as I can. Remember that shelter we volunteered at as a family? If that number calls you, answer as them. Taylor is really paranoid. I’ll save your contact that way. I know this wasn’t the plan, but you said to do whatever I had to. I’m in the bathroom sending this message trusting you’ll keep to our deal.’”

“What deal?” Mrs. Reid asked as she looked me over, half impressed, half distrusting.

I told them about the meeting with all the adult men in the family. Everything I could remember, even if it wasn’t verbatim. What I managed that day and how I’d been reporting in. The way I was watched and knowing I’d had tails and they were tracking my phone and more. It wasn’t just my male cousin at school.