The Sons of Destiny (The Reluctant Hero Trilogy Book 3) Read Free Page A

sorry. Actually, I’m not sorry at all. To be in my position, you have to be able to do what needs to be done to accomplish your goals without letting something as trivial as feelings get in the way.”
    She gripped the arms of the chair and waited silently. He was just upsetting her more.
    “I’m a businessman first and foremost. I spent many decades working harder than those around me to establish the kind of contacts I now have. It’s because of those contacts that I stumbled across the new virtual reality program. My government contacts are those that I prize the most.”
    Her mind kept wondering where Daniel was, while still trying to pay attention to the elder DiBenedetto, just in case he said something important. But she still was distracted.
    He continued, “You would be surprised what the government has in the way of software for this course of study. This is the prototype. It’s so new, it hasn’t even been named yet. Of course, it won’t be available for the general public just yet. In fact, you knowing about it may cause you some problems.”
    “Then why tell me about it?” she snapped.
    “I thought you might like to know since my son is still inside the virtual world.”
    I don’t believe you.” She became quiet again but was growing more and more impatient.
    “First, let me explain that my son has always done everything in his power to dishonor the DiBenedetto name. He chose never to follow in my footsteps and began to con his way to where he wanted to go. Mind you, I have no problem with lying to get what I want, but the way he did it repulsed me. He became nothing more than an item and was no longer an asset. Do you know what I do to things I determine are no longer an asset to me, my dear?”
    She sat motionless as blood drained from her face. She wasn’t about to play his game and get caught up in the charade.
    “I cut my losses,” he said, unaffected that she wouldn’t respond. “Fortunately for Daniel, he has some value, if not in a limited capacity. You see, when he was younger, he went on an expedition with a former business colleague of mine. This colleague told me that he had proof of the whereabouts of the Jewels of Jezebel. Now I’m not one to jump into treasure hunting. I prefer sure bets. Ones where I can make money fast. I thought it was all superstitious nonsense, so I declined.”
    Magena positioned herself in the chair as visions of her exploits with Daniel kept popping up in her mind. She did her best to concentrate on the present, but her mind wouldn’t let her.
    DiBenedetto studied her face, nodding. Her inner turmoil was noticed by DiBenedetto, through her pained facial expressions. “I see you are experiencing Mental Backlash. I was warned about that. If I am to understand correctly, that should pass. Although, I can’t tell you when. Have you started feelings of nausea yet?”
    Almost as if on cue, Magena felt sick to her stomach. She shrugged.
    “If you desire anything to drink, please let me know. Anyway. Where was I? Oh, yes. My son has always had a sense of adventure. He gets bored easily. Well, he overheard me talking to my colleague. When I refused to take part of the expedition, Daniel came running up to me, begging me to let him go. I assumed that all would be fine, since nothing beneficial would come from it and it would occupy him as well.”
    DiBenedetto placed his fist over his mouth as he started to cough violently. There was a harshness to the rough cough. His eyes watered and his face turned beet red. When he was finished, he took in a deep breath, as he wiped his hand off with a nearby napkin left over from lunch. There was some blood on the napkin.
    Magena couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, in spite of everything that she knew he was putting her and Daniel through. She wouldn’t allow herself to wish ill of her captor. No matter what.
    She wanted to ask what was wrong with him, but she assumed he would use that to his advantage. She couldn’t