Read Beyond Armageddon: Book 02 - Empire for Free Online Page B

father and a mother. His father and mother. Trevor and Ashley.

                Perhaps JB would be the next link on the chain.

                To her credit, it did not take long for Ashley Trump to change, either.

                Ironically, her ride on the ark made her something akin to royalty in the new world. That and her being—for all purposes—the wife of Trevor Stone. She demonstrated a quiet strength in her husband’s shadow.

                In many ways, she legitimately became the ‘princess’ Lori Brewer often referred to her as in the old days. Yet the uppity attitude that elicited that derogatory title dissipated.

                Ashley did not know of Trevor’s relationship with Nina Forest . Nonetheless, it did not take her long to realize she did not hold Trevor’s heart. Not firmly, at least.

                They shared the same bed. Sometimes there was affection and there was always kindness.

                It seemed Ashley had come to believe she played a role in all this, too. The role of JB’s mother. The role of Trevor’s supportive companion. A place for her in the world of nightmares she had awoken to. Like him, it was a role forced upon her.

                Trevor watched the Eagle patrol ship move across the waters of the lake. Ashley stood next to him.

                “Beautiful night,” she said. “I’m going to bed now. You’re welcome to join me.”

                An invitation. Yet no matter how heated their embrace may become when they shared warmth, they both sensed a barrier between them. The same barrier imprisoning them in their roles in the new world.

    Oh, it was not a harsh prison. She was beautiful. He had evolved into a handsome, chiseled man. There were worse fates.

                Trevor looked out at the August night one more time. The lights of the patrol craft faded in the distance.

                He thought he would accept the invitation. To feel her touch would be…would be nice.

                Trevor walked away from the balcony…       

                …Through binoculars, a pair of eyes watched Trevor disappear inside the mansion.

                The figure stood amongst the trees on the slope of the mountain. He had watched the estate for a long time. For days now.

                At the same moment he watched Trevor move from view, the shadowy figure realized they had caught his scent.

                Two Siberian Huskies abandoned their patrol route and raced toward the scent of the intruder. They came upon the shadowy man standing amidst the trees. They sensed he did not belong.

                The shadow stood still as the angry dogs approached. He heard their snarls. He felt them prepare to strike, slowing as they circled the trapped quarry.

                “Very good,” he patted his hands together in a quiet clap, cheering the dogs for their keen awareness. “You must be the best of the best,” he spoke as their nostrils flared. “What a shame.”

                The Grenadiers stepped closer; snarls gasped from their snouts.

                Then they hesitated.

                The snarls stopped. Each tried to bark but only a tiny yap came from their throats.

                Then the dogs whined as if an unpleasant scent assaulted their noses.

                Anger came again. More snarls, this time not directed at the shadowy intruder in the woods but at each other.

                The Huskies circled one another, twitching and drooling as they moved. Then they crashed together, teeth ripping and claws tearing. Blood spilled as they twisted and wrestled in the woods.

                The shadowy figure turned and slowly walked away as the two K9s tore each other apart, inflicting mortal wounds and