Page 46 of Bed of Thorns

I looked like a damn vagrant. I hadn’t taken the time to purchase anything decent in order to present myself as anything other than what I was—a fucking disturbed criminal who didn’t deserve a second chance. While there was no likelihood anyone in the state knew me, that didn’t matter. I felt it in my gut.

My grip on the steering wheel was firm. I chuckled, realizing even now that I was breaking the law. I’d yet to get a driver’s license because I didn’t have a permanent address.

Could I consider the cottage one for a year or two? Shit. I wasn’t certain. Adam had told me little about his sentence or the circumstances around it. He’d acted embarrassed, but I knew there was more to the story than he wanted me to learn about. I thought about Mercedes’ concerns. I’d asked Adam at least four times why he was in prison. It was the last time I remembered the most and the one that had shut me up.

“Don’t ask about things you have no business being a part of. If I told you, then I’d place your life in danger. I’ve forged a good path for myself by being discreet. Doing this time means nothing to me, a blip of an otherwise incredible life, which I will return to.”

It had been his way of telling me in no uncertain terms that I’d crossed a line.

Adam had had one visitor that I knew of, but he’d had a regular monthly call, the person on the other end of the line remaining a mystery. Maybe I was a fool to accept his generosity but without it, I wouldn’t be able to act on the plan I’d had in my mind for years.

That wasn’t acceptable.

I finally found the exit off the interstate, grateful to be out of the heavy flow of traffic.

Everything seemed entirely different than before I’d gone to prison. While it had been only a little over eight years, it seemed long enough that even the fast-food joints had changed. Even the freaking GPS tracking had changed. I snorted and stared at the phone, wishing she would call. I’d purchased two burner phones along the way, ensuring we’d always have a way of communicating. It also allowed us to remain anonymous, which would be beneficial as I developed my empire. And I would. Nothing would stop me.

At least I found the building. I don’t know what I’d expected, but the gorgeous all glass building hadn’t been one of the images in my mind. After parking, I glanced at the name I’d written down along with the address and phone number. Carl Walters.

“Well, Carl Walters. Let’s see what you have to say.”

Carl Walters was the principal in a firm with several names listed as associates. At least the company seemed legitimate.

His office was on the top floor, the pretty blonde receptionist acting like I was one of Mr. Walters’ old friends instead of a new client who was dressed like a bum. Within seconds, she was escorting me to the man’s office.

When she knocked twice, she didn’t wait for a reply before ushering me inside.

“Thank you, Amy. Make certain we’re not interrupted,” Carl said as he walked from around his desk. As anticipated, he was dressed as if preparing to attend a fancy wedding, complete with a silk pocket square. He thrust out his arm, offering his open hand, acting as if he was thrilled to see me. Was this some kind of a joke? “Mr. Montego. I’ve heard many good things about you from Adam.”

They had talked on the phone.

I shook his hand, studying his well-adorned office, the various plaques he had on one wall impressive. He was obviously well off, the leather seats and dark wooden surfaces of various pieces of furniture indicating as much.

“Is something wrong, Mr. Montego?”

“You can call me Edmond. I’m not a fan of my last name.” I pulled my hand away, immediately walking to his window.

“Ah, yes. So I understand. Please, take a look around. I’m certain you have many questions.”

“Not that many. However, one needs to be answered immediately.” I turned around to face him. “Why is Adam doing this? I’m nobody to him, just an angry kid he happened to share far too much time with.”

He smiled and returned to his desk, sitting on the edge. “Would you like to sit down?”

“I believe I’ll stand.”

“Adam also said you were very cautious as well. That’s an excellent trait. To answer your question, Edmond, Adam isn’t the kind of man to trust easily. He has his reasons, which I’m happy to keep confidential. From what I understand, you provided a respite for him during a difficult time. He was estranged from his family, his businesses, and from being allowed to redeem himself. In other words, he found faith in you.”

“From what I know about him, he found faith long before he started preaching to me inside that prison cell.”

He dropped his head and laughed. “When he told me he was preaching the good book, I had to laugh.”

When I didn’t join in, he finally lifted his head.

“Son, you do know that he’s not a minister and his name isn’t Adam Ferrar. Correct?”

I bristled from the cold chill jetting through me.

“You didn’t know. Okay. Then I won’t divulge anymore. I apologize for the confusion.” When he started to turn away, an audible snarl slipped out of my lips.

---