Page 87 of Stream Heat
“Mr. Anders,” I said, as level as I could manage. “What can I do for you?”
“Calling to inform you that Nexus is prepared to offer a settlement regarding your recent allegations.” His tone sounded like victory already secured.
“Settlement?” I shot a look at Reid. He was all calculation and sharp edge now. “I haven’t filed any legal action.”
“Yet. But your public statements constitute potential defamation, you know this, and Ms. Smith thinks it best for all parties to resolve the dispute privately.”
“Meaning what, exactly?” My fingers drummed on the desk.
“Full release from your contract. Seven-figure compensation. Medical care for all health issues stemming from yourmedication regimen. In return, you sign an NDA and withdraw from all public commentary, especially tonight’s broadcast.”
There it was. Money on the table. A golden ticket out of the nightmare if I wanted it. It should have felt more tempting than it did.
“May I have some time to consider?” I asked.
“One hour. Ms. Smith wants your answer before your next event.”
“I’ll call you back.” I hung up before he could get clever.
Silence stretched between me and Reid. “Seven figures,” I said.
“They’re terrified.” Reid’s teeth flashed in a predatory smile.
“They know if I go public, I’ll spark tidal waves. Everyone they’ve silenced could suddenly speak up. It’s not just about me anymore.”
Another buzz. Callie, this time.
SOS. Victoria had called offering me an exclusive contract with insane money, trying to buy me out of the summit. She was contacting everyone.
“She’s blitzing the summit,” I said, holding up the phone. “It’s a last-ditch effort. Buy everyone’s silence, make the evidence go away.”
“What do you want to do?” Reid wasn’t pushing. His voice was even, like he already knew the answer.
I sat with it. The money would fix everything. I could walk away, patch my finances, get my liver fixed. But I’d be just another statistic in Victoria’s graveyard of NDA’d Omegas. The others, still dosed, still sick, still blaming themselves, would never know. And I’d be complicit.
“If I take the deal, I’m just another cog in her machine,” I said. “I can’t do it. Not when there are others still trapped.”
Relief, pride, something raw flickered across Reid’s face. “I was hoping you’d stick to your guns.”
“And anyway…” I grinned, dark and a little reckless. “Isn’t that witness tampering? We just scored more leverage.”
“Exactly.” Reid’s eyes were all Alpha satisfaction now.
I opened the group chat and sent a quick warning.
Victoria’s trying to buy silence. Don’t take unknown calls. Record everything. Summit goes ahead.
Responses came fast. Theo with angry emojis; Malik calm and cool; Jace a thumbs-up; Ash already sending new instructions for securing calls. Even the other streamers threw in support. We were a wall. We weren’t backing down.
“Should we call Anders back?” Reid asked.
“Let’s get them on record.” I hit redial and put it on speaker.
“Ms. Quinn,” Anders said. “Have you reached a decision?”
“I have questions. The settlement, is it just for me, or does it cover every creator supplied with suppressants?”
He hesitated. “I can’t discuss other clients, Ms. Quinn.”
