Chapter 23 #2
Emmy considered the ethics around both. The test wasn’t a problem for her personal morals, but she took a few moments to consider how she felt about helping to engineer the child’s species.
And decided it wasn’t a problem, either. This wasn’t choosing blue eyes over brown, but whether the child would be the mother’s animal, or the father’s. She was okay with that.
Sandra, one of the remaining executives, spoke up. “We know this is controversial. If it became public knowledge, there would be backlash. But the supernatural community keeps its secrets well. You’d be protected.”
“I don’t much care what the public thinks.
All ethics decisions are based on my personal moral principles.
The test isn’t a problem at all, but I needed to consider how I felt about engineering a choice of animal.
As long as the choice is between the mother’s animal and the father’s, that seems reasonable.
Shifter parents should have that option. ”
Gareth’s relief was visible. “Then you’ll consider our offer.”
“Yes, but I have conditions.”
“Name them.”
“I can’t move to Boston. My life is in Anchorage.”
He pushed the button on his handheld remote, and an image came up with a map of Anchorage with a spot marked very near the theater Zander owns.
“We’ll build you a lab in Anchorage,” Gareth said immediately. “Full staff, whatever equipment you need, completely outfitted to your specifications. You’d come to Boston as necessary, likely three to five times a year for a few days at a time, and we’ll send the plane for you.”
Emmy blinked. “You’d build an entire lab just for me?”
“You’ve solved a fundamental problem in hybrid genetics that’s stumped researchers for decades, and you managed it with minimal equipment and a handful of rabbits before you even had your postgraduate degree, which you will shortly receive.
” Gareth’s smile was sharp. “Yes, we’ll build you a lab, we’ll hire you a team, and we’ll fund whatever you need.
Because five years from now, you’re going to revolutionize not only human genetics, but also shifter genetics, and we want to own the patents when you do. ”
Emmy sat back in her chair, mind reeling.
A quarter million dollars per year. Potential millions in royalties. A lab built to her specifications. Staff hired for her. Freedom to pursue her real research on their dime.
And all of it in Anchorage, where she could keep her men and the life she’d built.
“I need to review this with my legal team,” she heard herself say. “But tentatively … yes. I expect to accept your offer.”
Gareth stood and offered his hand again. “Take your time. We’re not going anywhere. But I hope you’ll join us, Emmy. I think we can do remarkable things together.”
They fed her and Delaney a marvelous lunch, where she met more of their top scientists, and her mind was reeling when she was finally in the silence of the car, on the way back to the airport.
She pulled out her phone and texted Zander.
“I assume you have a legal team?”
“Of course. Why?”
“I’m going to need to pay someone to help me with this job offer. It’s … there are royalties involved for big breakthroughs. They’ll own the patents, but I get percentages.”
“You’re going to accept?”
“They’ll build me a lab in Anchorage and hire me a staff. So yeah, probably.”
“Wonderful news. I look forward to hearing more when you’re free to talk.”
Emmy sent a row of hearts and put her phone away.
She waited until she was on the plane to call her father.
“Did you set this up?” she asked without preamble.
“Emmy?” Her dad sounded surprised. “Set what up?”
“GeneSynth BioTech. They just offered me a position. Quarter million salary, lab in Anchorage, everything I could possibly want. Even the stuff we can’t talk about on the phone.”
Her father was quiet a brief moment. “Gareth contacted me the day after your thesis defense and asked me what it would take to hire you. I told them they would need to talk to you about that, but I suggested they’d be most successful if they worked it so you could stay in Anchorage.
I didn’t set it up, and I’m sorry I didn’t let you know about the call.
I was in a war zone across the ocean, at the time, and it slipped my mind once I was home. ”
“Gareth had the scent of an alpha.”
“Yes. I dealt with him when Lauren was at Harvard, since some of her friends were … affiliated with him.”
Ah, that made sense. Drake actually protects several kids at the college, so of course he’d know all the local supernatural leaders.
“I’m guessing you handle security for GeneSynth?”
“Drake Security does, yes.”
“Meaning your people will be in charge of the lab in Anchorage, too.”
“That’s my assumption. Our contract covers their facilities in a number of countries, and we manage their expeditions.”
“Expeditions?”
“There are NDAs, but a publicized one I can talk about involves their scientists going into the Amazon in search of flora and fauna.”
He sighed. “I love you, Emmy. I’m sorry things are strained between us, and I hope we can fix that.”
Emmy closed her eyes. “Me too. Mom says the two of you are coming for a visit, now that I’m not snowed under with schoolwork anymore?”
“Yes, and I’m looking forward to it. Zander has a suite for us in the coterie house, so we’ll be close. We’re all so proud of you.”
After they hung up, Emmy sat in the leather seat watching clouds slide past below, and let herself smile.
They wanted her. Not because of her father’s connections, not because of Zander’s influence, but because she was good at what she did.
She was valuable. A scientist worth a quarter million dollars and a custom-built lab.
And she was going home to her men to celebrate properly.