Page 105 of Snitches and Serpents

That little smirk tugs at the corner of his lips again as he muses, “Is that so?”

Another flicker of irritation courses through me, but I keep it firmly off my face as I simply smile back at him.

He lets out a soft hmm, and I can’t tell if he’s amused or impressed.

Tristan is no longer squeezing my wrist, but he is standing so stiffly that I can almost feel the tension vibrating off his body. He keeps his expression neutral and his eyes firmly on Bracken. My heart aches for him.

“I accept,” Bracken says. “I will let you pay off Tristan’s debt.” A sharp glint suddenly shines in his eyes as he raises a finger in the air. “However, Tristan will still remain working for me for the duration of his studies at Bercester University.”

“No,” I immediately blurt out.

Tristan flinches next to me. But I don’t care. I’m getting him out. Fully. And right now.

Bracken sucks his teeth and then leans back in his chair again, giving me a lazy smile. “Here’s the thing. When I agreed to lend Tristan money, it came with the condition that he work for me until he can pay it back.”

“But now he’s paying it back.”

“Hmm, yes, but I was still counting on his service for at least another two years.”

I squeeze my hand into a fist. God, I want to bury this guy. He truly lives up to his name. A snake through and through.

“But,” he continues. “I could be persuaded to release him from his duty early. For a price.”

Anger crackles through me, and I can barely keep the polite tone in my voice as I press out, “How much?”

“Double.”

I choke on my breath. Double? I have money, sure, but I don’t have that kind of money. At least not unless I go to my parents. But I seriously doubt that my dad would ever hand over so much as a cent in order to help get Tristan out of debt.

“It’s alright,” Tristan quickly says. “I will continue to work for you until I graduate. Thank you, sir, for allowing me to pay off the debt early.”

Another wave of fury crashes through me. No. No, it’s not alright. I don’t want Tristan stuck here for another two years, trapped underneath this dictatorial man’s heel.

I might not be able to beat up people who try to threaten him, but I protect the ones I care about too. In any way I can.

“What if you could get four years instead?” I blurt out before Tristan can start to drag me away.

Both of them freeze and then frown at me in confusion.

“What do you mean?” Mr. Bracken asks as he narrows his eyes at me.

“You let Tristan go today, two years early,” I say. “And in exchange, I will work for you for the next four years until I graduate.”

“No!” Tristan snaps as he whips his head towards me, staring at me in shock and disbelief. Then he turns to Bracken. “Thank you for your time, sir. We’re leaving now.”

But Mr. Bracken’s sharp gray eyes remain on me. “Tristan is a skilled punisher. What could you possibly offer that would make such a trade worth it?”

Before I can reply, Tristan grabs my wrist and starts pulling me towards the door.

I yank my wrist out of his grip and turn back to Bracken. “I’m a mayor’s daughter. I can sell your products in places none of your regular dealers can even get into.”

“Elle, don’t,” Tristan snaps.

“There is a charity event hosted by the mayor of Bercester next weekend,” Bracken says, ignoring Tristan. “Show me what you can do.”

Hope pulses through me. “And if I pull it off, we have a deal?”

“No, you do not have a deal,” Tristan growls.

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