Inception - Ascension Paradox, Book 1
Copyright© 2023 by L.R. Thornton
Chapter 24
Two days of Amy’s company was enough to make Ray pull out his hair. They were supposed to visit the professor the next day following the VEX conference. That was before Adrian Castle sent a bouquet of flowers to her. Their arrival sent his young cousin over the moon.
Ray didn’t know men still did that kind of thing. He’d been fortunate that Jessie was allergic to flowers. He hadn’t had to stoop to those depths to ask for her forgiveness, which had been rare during their marriage.
Although now, he wished a bouquet of flowers would be just what the doctor ordered to heal the rift that ripped his family apart.
He’d expected Dylan to call and scream at him. But the silence was more damning than any swear words the boy could utter. It was like being cut off from a supply of oxygen. Even when Jessie had left him, his son had stayed in contact.
Not now.
Each hour that went by without a word from his son made the self-inflicted wound he’d given himself in order to keep them safe, throb with great intensity.
It didn’t help that his dreams had been filled with the vison of the malicious red-eyed black robot. Sometimes, in the hazy world of sleep, the metallic body transformed into black, lizard-like flesh. The eyes became reptilian.
A robot who became a monster.
He couldn’t risk going back home. Yet, under the auspices of doing a favor for him, Ray was able to convince Matthias to drive by his house to see if the door was unlocked. The lawyer had reported the house was locked up.
Knowing that the door had been busted open, Ray knew that there was some human agency involved.
But who? Who had it out for him?
“Oh my gosh! Einstein, he’s inviting me to dinner with him tonight.”
Amy’s squeal made it through the din of his thoughts. Amy was standing by the shelves in the den where he relaxed with that worthless dog in her arms. The dog licked her face excitedly and Ray shuddered.
Yuck.
“I take you’re talking about Adrian Castle?”
“Yes!” Her eyes were bright. “I can hardly believe a billionaire executive is interested in little ole me. I can’t believe. It’s like Fifty Shades without the bondage.”
Ray stared at his cousin. He didn’t like the guy for the very reason Amy mentioned. His cousin was attractive but a man like Castle had to be used to certain kind of female. Ones who were more predatory and knew the rules of engagement.
Amy, smart as a whip, still held on to antiquated ideas of romance. But, at the end of the day, she was a grown woman, able to make her own decisions. If she ended up with a broken heart, then he’d take his foot and ram it up—