Alexander - Greendale genesis: the Bruce family history: Sutherland to Canterbury, 1877-1984

Book 1 of The Evolutioneers Series

Anna Alexander

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People suck, at least according to reclusive inventor Max Maddenexcept for his friend and mentor, Anthony. But now Anthony is dead after uncovering evidence that an avaricious financier caused the current economic crisis and is out for world domination, a man Max knows has the money, resources, and charm to succeedhis own father. Now Max is out for vengeance and he doesnt need a distraction like Crystal Evans tagging along.

The provocative psychic may have soft lips, curves like a Ferrari, and a scent like vanilla sugar, but she also has a thirst for redemption that will never be quenched. Max cant help but admire her tenacity, and when she leads him to others who also have superhuman powers, he agrees to lead this team of crime-fighting supers if they all agree that he will be the one to take his father down.

But fate and circumstance has a way of bitch-slapping a man to awareness, and emotional hungers Max once detested have become what he now craves. When Crystal becomes the key to Madden Sr.s downfall, Max must choose: Can he send the woman hes come to love on the mission, a mission during which she has seen her death in a vision, or have his revenge?

Para mi familia. Siempre.

And to all of the girls who poured over their weekly comics, cried when Gwen died, sat by Dianas side in her invisible jet, and swooned over the love Remi had for Rogue.

This one is for you.

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I really need to see you, Max. Now.

The fear in Anthonys voice shot right into Maxs ear and sent a shiver down his spine.

Max squinted at the speaker that Anthonys voice was coming through over the phone line. Whats going on?

II have to talk to you and I cant do it over the phone. Please.

Max held his breath, his brow furrowing while he considered Anthonys words. Urgency filled the pause and seemed to pulsate like an electric current against his cheek as he puzzled out why Anthony DeMateo, the most self-sufficient, even-keeled man Max had ever known, sounded as if the snap of a twig would send him into hysterics.

He rubbed his hand against his jean-clad thigh and eyed the security monitors that displayed the storm raging outside. There was little that would draw Max out of his mountain home even on a good day. Anthony was one of those exceptions.

A wave of guilt for not keeping in better contact with his mentor dried out his throat. Whenever Max was in need, Anthony had been there. Well, except for that one occasion. But even then he had stayed by his side until Max was ready to stand on his own. Besides, it wasnt as if making the effort for a friend would kill him.

Yeah. Okay. Im leaving now.

Thanks, Max, Anthony replied with a palpable sigh of relief. See you soon.

Max turned back to his virtual reality game and grinned when he saw the number of open dialogue boxes flashing on the jumbo LED television that served as his monitor.

Yo man, where are you, M3?

Where are you?

Were waiting on you.

Sorry, guys, Max said after he engaged his headset. Reality is calling. Have fun storming the castle without me.

Man, thats lame. We need you to get past those Arasai.

Youll be fine. Well do it again another day.

As he held his fingers over the keys to terminate the game, he paused, suddenly reluctant to disconnect from the one place he felt at home. On more than one occasion, Anthony had voiced his concern about Maxs life of complete solitude, even though he was never entirely cut off from society. When he wasnt dealing with his software buyers, he was in contact with hundreds of people a day playing online video games.

Yeah, yeah. Max was not blind to the irony of his choice of escapism. And just as in real life, gamers sought out his avatar for his power and abilities. The only difference was in the gaming world they were upfront with what they wanted from him, instead of playing coy games of false flattery while they plotted how to exploit his intelligence.

What would the people in both of his worlds demand if they had any idea of what he was really capable of? A general distaste for the world at large warred with his amusement over that mental image. His blood, his life, his soul?

Didnt matter anyway. Never again would he allow another to take what was his. Never.

In the quiet of his home built deep in the side of a mountain, he closed his eyes and the silence began to weigh on him as if he were lying on an inflatable raft that kept expanding around him, bulging in giant bubbles until it hugged him in a suffocating grip. No one would even know Max Madden was no more as he withered away in his man-made cocoon.

He sucked in a sharp breath and tried to shake the oppressive loneliness from his mind. His life was shaped by his choices, the way he wanted, and it suited him just fine. These occasionalmisgivings were probably signs of cabin fever. A change of scenery would take care of the cobwebs right quick. Yeah, all he needed was some fresh air.

He logged out of the game and raised both hands in the air. The familiar sizzling sensation gathered in his chest and radiated down his arms to his fingers. Waving his hands as if he were conducting an orchestra, he gestured at the keyboard and watched it levitate. As it traveled across the room and slid gently onto the shelf, the television turned off and the cabinet doors closed with a flick of his fingers.

With a small smile of satisfaction, he got to his feet and rubbed his hands together before searching for his coat and keys. It had taken him years of moving objects to and fro before the use of his telekinetic powers stopped leaving him fatigued and battered. Carving out his mountain home had almost killed him. But just like with any set of muscles, the more he used his powers, the stronger he became. If only he had more use for them than tidying up his place.

On his way out the door, he set the elaborate security system that monitored his property. Although his lair had yet to be found, it wasnt for lack of people trying. When your net worth was in the billions of dollars, everyone wanted a piece of you.

Max slid behind the wheel of his black Ferrari 488 GTBaffectionately nicknamed the Beastand squinted into the dark rainy night as the two-inch-thick galvanized garage door disappeared into the rock face.

The scents of exhaust and wet earth filled the tight, posh interior of his car as he pressed down on the accelerator. The thick tires caught on the cement with a squeal, leaving hot rubber on its surface before the car took off in a plume of smoke.

The Beast was a phantom in the night, hugging the slick curves of the mountain highway like spandex on a stripper. The growl of the monster V8 echoed in the downpour, clearing its way of both animal and machine. Vibrations shot through his body, making him giddy with the rush of handling such a powerful machine. It was almost as good as sex. Almost.

God, he loved this car.

In less time than was legally allowed, Max arrived at the gate surrounding five acres of forest and lawn that sat at the base of Cougar Mountain. Before he touched the button on the call box, the gate swung open, allowing him entrance. He pulled the Beast to a stop in the circular driveway, then cut the engine.