Page 122 of Snitches and Serpents

“Use it to build a future for yourselves,” he says. A glint creeps into his eyes. “Though if you’re ever in need of work, I’m always open to hiring skilled people who understand the meaning of loyalty.”

I swallow down a sudden burst of immense gratitude. I was right. Rob Bracken is, deep down, a man of honor.

After holding his gaze for another few seconds, I incline my head in a sign of respect. “Thank you, sir.”

He lets out a soft breath and waves his hand, as if it was no big deal.

After the money has been transferred, Elle and I give Rob Bracken one final nod and then leave the White Serpents forever.

Stars glitter in the deep blue sky above as we make our way through the city.

We reach a small outcropping right before a set of stairs that lead down to the parking lot where I left my car. It’s a rather inconvenient parking lot, but I always use it because I like the view from this particular spot. It’s not very high, but it’s enough to make it feel as if I’m standing above the city with only the open sky above. It has always made me feel free, even when I wasn’t.

Taking Elle’s hand again, I pull her to a stop.

The city spreads out before us like a glittering sea in the otherwise dark evening. And when Elle turns to face me, the lights sparkle like gold in her warm brown eyes.

“When I first saw you, I thought you were an insufferably perfect and stuck-up little princess,” I say.

She bursts out laughing. “Wow, thanks for that one.”

I grin at her as I step closer. Sliding my hand along her jaw, I tilt her head back and lock serious eyes on her. “Never have I been so wrong in all my life.”

Emotions flood her face, and a soft smile blows across her lips. “When I first met you, I thought you were a nerd who quietly loved geeking out about science and math.”

I chuckle and tilt my head to the side, conceding the point.

“And then when I met you again on campus, I thought you were a bossy and dominant MMA fighter who loved holding people’s lives in the palm of your hand,” she continues.

Raising my eyebrows, I wait for her to finish.

A devilish smile spreads across her lips. “Never have I been so right in all my life.”

Another burst of laughter rips from my lungs. With mischief in my eyes, I shake my head at her and slide my hand down to rest around her throat. “Oh, sweetheart. You’re talking your way into a very intense night in my bed right now.”

“Good.” She grabs the collar of my shirt and pulls my face down to hers. Then she grins against my lips. “Because that was exactly what I was hoping for.”

I claim her wicked lips in a possessive and highly dominant kiss.

She melts into my body.

This girl, this absolutely incredible girl, is mine. And I will never let anything or anyone hurt her. She is mine. Now and always.

We have been through hell together. We have put each other through hell. And we have come out stronger on the other side.

No matter what this messy and complicated life throws at us, nothing will ever tear us apart. Our loyalty to each other has been forged through blood and steel and fire.

Nothing can break us now.

Because together, Elle and I are fucking indestructible.

EPILOGUE

THREE YEARS LATER

The entire dining room table before me is littered with papers and textbooks and notes of all kinds. I stretch my arms over my head and then roll my neck to relieve some tension before I grab yet another document and start skimming through it.

Golden light from the afternoon sun shines in through the windows and illuminates the beautiful room around me. Furniture in rich dark wood and decorations in onyx and silver give the space a classy get modern look. Most of it is my doing, and I’m very pleased with it. Though at the moment, the grand dining room table is barely visible underneath all of my course material.

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