Page 171 of Darling Venom
I waited for her to continue. At this point, she seemed to drag this out on purpose, either to haze me or for theatrics.
“I loved it,” she finally said, brown eyes glinting. “In fact, it was so compelling, I forgot to jot down notes the first time I read it.”
“You read it more than once?”
“Several passes, actually.”
“Seven.” I tipped a shoulder up, unashamed. “That’s my count.”
She fished the manuscript out of her messenger bag, set it on the table, and stroked the title page, which notably lacked the author credits.
Her fingers tapped on the empty space. “Where did you find the author?”
This was where it got tricky.
“It’s a posthumous manuscript.”
That meant no existing backlist to boost sales.
No future books to purchase.
The transactions began and ended with this book.
I held my breath.
Helen’s fingers halted. “Do you have full rights?”
“The manuscript was bequeathed to me, yes.”
Bequeathed.
Such a strong word, considering the gray area of Darling Venom’s ownership. But Kellan had made it clear in his letter that he wanted it in my hands. Though I hadn’t consulted Tate, I suspected he wouldn’t fight me on this. For once.
As for Terry…
Well, Tate’s opinion mattered to me more.
I considered my next words. “I’d like the proceeds to be donated under the author’s name to the New York Society Library.”
“It will be a windfall.” Helen’s brows shot up.
“I hope so.” I paused. “I also hope, regardless of whoever’s hands Darling Venom ends up in, it’s well taken care of. The integrity of the manuscript needs to remain intact.”
“A debut author with no backlist is a gamble for the publisher, but this… It’s the type of book that is studied, ad nauseam, in literature courses.”
“The type that gets fast-tracked to all major book clubs. Reese’s. Oprah’s. The Times’.”
“I’ll be honest with you because you’re Reagan’s, and she told me to tone down the shark and act like a mentor today.”
“She did?”
Helen nodded. “I’m interested in the manuscript. In being the editor for it. In offering a pre-empt before it goes to auction. In a negotiation with very favorable terms for you. In taking part in Darling Venom’s journey, no matter the manner.”
“Wow.”
Oops.
I hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but the word still stood.
