Page 58 of Seal My Fate

“You mean, from the wayward son being his usual scandalous self?” Saint smirks. “It’s nothing they haven’t seen before.” He seems to realize what he’s said. “Sorry, I just meant—”

“That the fact you were a total man-whore before we met makes a great alibi.” I smile, not concerned. “It’s a good thing, too. I always knew yourexperiencewould come in useful…”

He draws me closer for a goodbye kiss. “I told you when we met, there’s a few tricks in the old dog yet.”

Tricks… I’d call it a gift. Like the way he turns me liquid with just the briefest touch of his lips on mine—

“Mr. St. Clair?” A voice interrupts us. It’s an older man, in his sixties, maybe, dressed smartly with a look of desperation in his eyes. “It’s you! I thought it was you.”

“Yes,” Saint gives a polite nod.

“Please, sir, I’ve been trying to get an appointment,” the man pleads. “It’s about my Margaret. I heard there were trials, for your new drug. I’m trying to get her a place!”

Oh God.

My heart aches as the man practically begs Saint to help his wife be a part of the Alzheimer’s trial.

“I heard the drug’s working. Please, we just need a chance. My Margaret, she won’t have much longer. She has good days but… We’re running out of time. Please!” His weathered face creases with emotion, clinging to Saint’s arm now.

“I’m sorry, but the trials have closed,” Saint tells him gently. “I can help connect you to some information, though. Services that might help your wife.”

The man shakes his head, despondent. “Nothing can help her. Nothing but a miracle. Your drug, it’s the only thing. Please—”

Security arrives. “Mr. St. Clair?”

“It’s alright,” Saint says quickly. “There’s no trouble here.” He squeezes the man’s hand. “I’m so sorry, but there’s nothing I can do for you.”

“Liar!” The man’s angry cry echoes, as security steers him away. “You can help. Please!”

I watch him go, sick to my stomach. And from the shaken expression on Saint’s face, he feels the same way.

“This is what they’re doing,” he says, low and angry. “Giving good people false hope. Exploiting their misery, just to get even richer and more powerful, while they set the whole field back. It’s disgusting.”

“And we’re going to stop them.” I give him a firm nod.

Whatever happens now, we’re already in too deep to ever go back. His brother was right. There’s no walking away from doing the right thing.

I just hope it doesn’t cost us everything.

Chapter15

Saint

“You know, I’ve been thinking…” Tessa says on the drive over to my parents’ place for dinner, the lights of London glittering outside the windscreen. “We should take a vacation.”

“Now?” I ask, confused. We’re all set to search for the encryption key tonight, and it’s the final piece of the puzzle standing in our way before we can expose Ashford for the lying, criminal bastards they really are.

“Sure,” she smiles over at me from the passenger seat. “I mean, what else do we have going on? I’ve been feeling pretty bored,” she adds with a smirk. “Life’s been so dull and uneventful recently.”

I laugh, relaxing. “You’re right,” I agree, reaching over to take her hand. “It’s all the same old, same old. I’m sure nobody would miss us if we just jetted off to a beach somewhere.”

“Ah, yes, that beach of yours…” Tessa gives a longing sigh. “Talk vacation to me, baby.”

“I promise, once this is all over, we can jet anywhere you choose,” I tell her, bringing her hand to my lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Jamaica, Fiji, Tahiti… Take your pick. Just you, me, and those coconuts,” I add with a wolfish grin.

I know that it’s easier said than done, and we have a mountain of challenges facing us, even if we do manage to secure the proof of Ashford’s wrongdoing.

My father’s crimes, I correct myself, feeling a chill.

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