Chapter 328: Touchdown Lincoln Heights

The Quantum Tech private jet touched down at Lincoln Heights Regional Airport like a fucking spaceship landing in suburban America. Through the small window, I watched familiar territory scroll past - the same cracked tarmac, the same chain-link fences, the same blue-collar infrastructure I’d grown up around.

Except now I was seeing it from inside a multimillion-dollar aircraft, wearing a custom suit, and carrying enough wealth to buy half the neighborhood.

The cognitive dissonance was still brutal, but honestly? I was starting to enjoy the mindfuck.

Margaret sat across from me, looking more composed than she had since the kidnapping but still carrying that haunted edge around her eyes. She’d been quiet for most of the flight, occasionally reaching out to squeeze Charlotte’s hand like she was making sure her daughter was real and safe.

The Plea ability I’d gained from the Miami orgy was still active, and suddenly I was drowning in sexual fantasies that weren’t my own. Margaret’s voice echoed in my head, graphic visions of what she wanted Eros to do to her. Soo-Jin’s desperate thoughts about being claimed and protected.

Christ. Every woman within range was broadcasting their deepest desires directly into my skull like some fucked-up porn radio station I couldn’t turn off.

And I knew the moment I saw Mom, it would get infinitely worse.

Charlotte sat near the window, exhausted but relieved - with no board members left to answer to after they’d all cashed out during the buyback, she held 95% of Quantum Tech. Her mother had reluctantly accepted the 5% Charlotte had insisted on giving back to her.

Madison curled against my side, her head on my shoulder, completely at ease with the luxury that still felt surreal to me. Her fingers traced absent patterns on my chest, a habit she’d developed when she was thinking. Amanda sat near the window, watching Lincoln Heights approach with obvious curiosity - this was her first time seeing where I’d come from.

Soo-Jin occupied the window seat opposite, pressing her face to the glass like a kid seeing Disneyland for the first time.

"So this is your kingdom," Amanda said as the jet taxied toward the private terminal.

"This is home," I corrected. "The kingdom’s still under construction."

Charlotte looked up from the corporate documents she’d been reviewing, but there was something different in her expression now - a mix of relief and exhaustion.

"The car will take Amanda and Soo-Jin to the estate first, then there’s you and Madison at your mom’s house. But I want to get these two settled before..."

"Before you collapse from exhaustion," I finished for her. "Charlotte, you just saved your company and destroyed your enemies. The board members who threatened you are gone - they took their buyout money and ran. You’re officially the undisputed queen of Quantum Tech. Maybe take a fucking day off?"

She smiled, but it was tired. "There’s no board left to report to, but there’s still too much to do. Half the tech industry is trying to schedule meetings. And the government contracts need reviewing before..."

"The government contracts are handled," I said firmly. "ARIA’s managing everything. Your company’s stock is higher than it’s ever been. You literally own 95% of a multibillion-dollar corporation now. Take. A. Day. Off."

Margaret reached over and patted her daughter’s knee. "Listen to him, darling. You’ve been running on adrenaline and caffeine for days."

"Mom, I can’t just—"

"You can," I interrupted. "You’ve earned the right to breathe for five fucking minutes."

The jet came to a complete stop, and I could see Mom’s Mercedes GLE waiting in the private terminal lot. She was probably pacing inside the terminal, checking her watch, wondering what the hell her son had been up to that required private jet transportation.

A system notification popped up, and I glanced at the screen.

[DING! New Mission Generated: California Lord

Objective 1: Anonymously buy a penthouse in the middle of California as Eros Velmior Desiderion

Objective 2: Buy membership in an OnlyCeleb Bar

Objective 3: Come on dude! Get a car!

Mission Status: Unknown Objective

Rewards: 30% System Upgrade]

What the fuck? The system’s personality was definitely evolving if it was using phrases like "Come on dude!" And what the hell was an OnlyCeleb Bar?

"The system appears to be directing you toward establishing a more prominent presence in the celebrity and elite areas, Master. Also, for the cars... I should mention that you’ve been walking everywhere or using other people’s vehicles. For someone of your... status... it’s somewhat undignified."

Fair point. I was worth millions (not considering the remaining billions) and still bumming rides like some broke teenager. Which, technically, I still was. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

Charlotte stood, gathering her documents. "I’ll have the driver take Amanda and Soo-Jin to the estate first, then there’s you and Madison...."

"Actually," I said, "you’re coming with us. Mom’s going to insist you need rest, and knowing Mom, she’ll have you staying at our house for days. You don’t get a choice in this - Linda Carter’s maternal instincts are about to kidnap you for your own good."

Charlotte started to protest, but Madison laughed. "He’s absolutely right. I’ve met your Linda and she’s scary, I tell you from tens of experience with her. She’ll take one look at Charlotte and go into full nurse mode."

"ARIA," I thought, "status on my mom’s mansion complete payment?"

"Finalizing the last few million in transfers now, Master. The Lincoln Heights mansion will officially belong to your mother within a few. All legal documentation is being processed as we speak. Like you ordered, we’re changing the ownership to fully Linda Carter."

Perfect. Mom deserved to own something beautiful after all the sacrifices she’d made.

The aircraft door opened with a soft hiss, revealing Lincoln Heights in all its working-class glory. I could bet I felt in the air as it hit me immediately - car exhaust, Mexican food from the taco truck, and that particular blend of concrete and possibility that every growing city carried.

Home. Fuck, I’d missed it more than I’d realized.

We said our goodbyes to Margaret, Amanda, and Soo-Jin as they headed to the Vampire House in the black sedan. Margaret’s hug carried all her gratitude, her fingers lingering on my shoulders like she was memorizing the moment. Amanda’s kiss on my cheek promised future encounters - the kind that would probably break more than just hotel furniture. Soo-Jin’s quiet thanks reminded me why I’d started this crusade in the first place.

"You’re family now," I told Soo-Jin. "Family looks out for family."

But the moment their car pulled away, I felt the familiar shift beginning. My bones ached as they compressed, muscles redistributing themselves, the supernatural perfection of Eros Velmior Desiderion melting away like expensive cologne in cheap rain back to Peter Carter before I met mom. Luckily the height wasn’t too far off so the clothes fit.

Charlotte’s eyes went wide watching the transformation. "Every time I see that..." She shook her head, her mouth slightly open. "Each time I see that transformation, I realize more and more that you’ll never be a normal man."

"Nope," I said, adjusting to my regular height. "Sorry to disappoint."

She shook her head in wonder. "Not disappointed. Terrified, maybe. But not disappointed."

"You’ll never be normal, will you?"