Page 63 of Dream Girl
Evan replied to the group chat.
Evan
Department of Dependent Services and the Omega Center are doing a home visit.
I frowned. That didn't bode well.
“I understand your concerns about the particle accelerator. They’re safer than they used to be, and we have more mandatory security protocols now.” The lab my father and Dr. K had at their university in Greece had been destroyed in a supercollider accident, taking most of their research and staff with them. I’d been there that day, helping out as I so often did.
I’d only just left when the accident happened, and luckily hadn’t been seriously hurt. Unfortunately, so many others had.
At least it didn’t cause a black hole, or worse. A supercollider explosion was no joke. Not to mention, they were researching the fifth and sixth dimensions. I loved to help him, not necessarily because I wanted to follow in his footsteps, but because I enjoyed learning new things.
“I see.” She nodded and left my office.
Another text came through the chat.
Jett
Headed home.
I finished a few emails, then packed up my laptop in my briefcase, and grabbed my phone and the bag.
“Heading out? Have a good weekend. Give Riley my love.” Mrs. K waved as I passed her desk.
I waved back. This wasn’t the first time Mrs. K had warned me about the dangers of following my father’s research. I understood that far more than she knew.
But I wasn’t a physicist like my father. Like many people in the Thanukos family, I was an entrepreneur. While they’d taught me about business, my father taught me how to recognize brilliance. Also, I understood enough about science to know what truly had potential.
Instead of following in my father’s—or family's—footsteps, I built an empire of my own.
When I got home, Jett sat at the table, texting frantically, his amber scent a touch burnt with fear.
“Everything okay?” I looked around the empty kitchen as I took off my shoes.
“No. I caught the tail end of it.” Jett shook his head. “I’m glad you’re here. I need to go, but I didn’t want to leave them.”
“Dependent Services came? Caroline called and reported Evan?” I frowned.
“They don’t work that fast. Usually, if there are kids in the house and someone is being investigated for domestic abuse or neglect, it would make sense for Dependent Services to swing by for a welfare check. However, if Caroline calls, it’s not going to help our situation,” Jett explained.
“Did the home visit go well? You all worked hard,” I said. We’d been up half the night.
My phone lit up.
Evan
Can you come home for lunch? Ri could really use you.
Oh, he thought I was still at work.
“It wasn’t a visit for Grace. It was a welfare check forEvan.He said it was routine and that it went fine. I think he even knew the person doing it. It was the Dependent Services officer who came with her that was the issue. Shit, she was hard on Riley. I think she upset Evan, too. Why are you home so early?” Jett asked.
“Riley hacked my calendar again. I’ll take care of them. Go to work.” I headed upstairs and texted Evan.
Me
Coming
