Queen of Quarantine (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #4) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,174

gasped and I bristled. We’d left out that piece of information in what we’d told her because it was pretty hard to convince people of his innocence when we hadn’t yet exposed the truth to the world.

“He was framed,” Saint said simply. “And that will become clear in time. But for now, you must go on our word.”

Martina nodded slowly, seeming shocked by all this information and I guessed it was a serious headfuck at four in the morning. “Okay,” she breathed. “Is there anything else I need to know?”

“Yes.” Saint straightened in his seat. “Just yesterday, I selected which of your staff will remain working for you and which will not after completing background checks on each of them. As of this morning, those who had any discrepancies will be notified of their employment termination. I have also recruited several competent and trustworthy staff to your laboratory too, including a security team who will be stationed there twenty-four hours a day. Once you have replicated the vaccine and have enough ready for distribution, they will be rolled out at a capped, low cost to hospital staff and we will start vaccinating children and healthcare staff first. I will take charge of the details, simply contact me when you are ready with the first batch.”

She nodded, her face a little pale as the weight of this task rested on her shoulders, but she definitely seemed up to it. “Okay, I can do that.”

“You can contact me through the number at the top of the contract.” He pointed it out. “And you will refer to me as Mr Sequoia whenever we speak.”

“Alright,” she agreed.

“And finally,” Saint’s voice dropped an octave, raising the hairs along the back of my neck. “If you break the terms laid out in this contract, including revealing any knowledge of the vaccine without my say so, or attempt to sell on the information or the vaccine itself, I will ruin you.” He brought something up on his phone and passed it to her with some photo on it I didn’t get a chance to look at properly.

“This isn’t me!” she gasped, her eyes wide with horror. “I’d never touch a child!“

Holy shit.

“I am well aware you would never do this,” Saint said calmly, casually tucking his phone away again. “But these images have been put together by one of the best photograph manipulators in the state. And I have far more evidence than this. I have mothers willing to come forward and testify if necessary.”

“You can’t, I wouldn’t. No one would believe this!” Martina said in horror, clearly on the verge of tears with how much the mere thought of doing such a thing horrified her. A pang of guilt filled me, but I knew this was Saint’s way of ensuring this information never got out.

“Oh, I assure you they would. I will pay the finest lawyers in the country to ensure it,” he said simply, and Martina gaped at him.

“You don’t need to threaten me,” she said, her lower lip quivering. “I already agreed.”

“Yes, but the threat is there just in case you ever decide to dance with the Devil.” Saint smirked and she nodded, seeming to accept that though she was obviously shaken.

“Mr Memphis, I do not appreciate you coming into my home and coercing me like this. However, I do understand the magnitude of what you’re laying at my door. If you think I would sell the vaccine for profit, then you have greatly misjudged my character.”

“I don’t think you would,” Saint said with a shrug. “But if my father taught me anything of value, it was to cover my back even when it appears to be shielded by ten inches of iron. So…” He tapped the contract in front of Martina while I gazed at him, soaking in his power with a little flutter in my stomach. Shit, he was so hot right now.

“Do we have a deal?” he asked and Martina gazed down at the contract, her eyes widening again. I was surprised they hadn’t popped right out of her head already with how many bombshells we’d set off in her face tonight.

“You’re going to pay me five million a year?” she gasped. “This is too much.”

“You are officially the most important scientist in the country, Martina,” Saint said calmly, steepling his fingers together on the table while I blushed over my tyrannical madman. “You are worth every penny and more. There will be perks too and your staff will be well

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