Page 96 of Only the Wicked

I step forward, but his hold on my arm tightens.

“We need to talk.”

He’s got questions and I don’t have a clear head yet.

“Your cum is leaking down my thigh. Do you mind?”

As if stung, he snaps his hand back.

“Let me shower. Then we’ll talk.”

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Rhodes

My skin itches and my fingers twitch. I’m jittery. Irritated.

I pace the suite. Perhaps I need music. The only sound in the suite is the low steady thrum of a rainfall shower.

I grab my phone, intent on locating my Spotify account, and see a message notification. That works too.

I click to read.

* * *

Alex

Met with Avent Capital. They want us. BAD.

* * *

Two clicks. No need for voice dictation on this one.

* * *

Me

No

Better off private

* * *

Of course those blood suckers want us to go public. It’s the best way to fleece us. And we don’t need them. Aside from that, we have no business letting profit and growth drive business decisions. Private is the only ethical option. If I get my way, we’ll transition back to nonprofit.

Why is Alex still circling a public offering? We don’t require a capital infusion.

I hit the microphone and say, “Ethics, Alex. Come on. The power of AI isn’t something to underestimate. Profit cannot guide decisions. If we went public, growth would become the driving criteria. It’s too dangerous. Irresponsible. You know this. Absolutely not.”

I skim to ensure nothing’s too outrageously misinterpreted and hit send.

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so much empathy toward weapons designers. I’m not in the defense industry, but I feel for those engineers. I haven’t sacrificed and dedicated everything to ARGUS for it to become a worldwide menace. I’m better than that.

The shower stream ends.

I click over to my chain with Daisy.