Page 59 of Bed of Thorns

“Oh, my God. What did you see?”

“That’s the problem. I can’t remember much either. I just… I’ve tried. I think my mind shut down to protect itself.” I couldn’t tell him about the dream. I wasn’t certain it was even real.

“Jesus, Mercedes. Do you know what could have happened if you were seen there?”

“I ran away. I… That’s why your father was horrible to me.” I was seen. God, if only I could remember for the both of us.

“He was horrible because that’s who he was and still is. I’m certain he watched you like a hawk to make certain you didn’t tell the truth.”

I allowed myself a few seconds to absorb what he was telling me. “That man was an obvious killer. Right? Damien Ryker was there to kill your father?”

“I think he was hired by one of my father’s victims, but I can’t prove it. From what my attorney told me, no one could find out anything about him, a ghost in the machine.”

“Who are these victims? They’re dangerous, aren’t they? Were they after you or your father? Are they hunting you? Why didn’t anything happen to your father?”

“Sssh… Slow down. Unfortunately, I don’t have all the answers, my beautiful angel, except for my father made certain I was blamed for the crime. I have no doubt he used that, conniving his victims into believing he had nothing to do with scamming them.”

“That means your life is in danger.”

“Not necessarily.”

“This is crazy. You have to go to the police. Give them the evidence!”

“It’s not enough. Trust me. After all this time, good ole Pops has made certain there is nothing leading him to the original crime or any other.”

“What about William?” I asked, trying to remain calm.

He thought about my question. “I don’t know for certain, other than I had a suspicion from day one that the man was required to prosecute me, which was why he pushed for first degree murder initially.”

“Then why the change of heart?”

“As I said, I don’t have all the answers.”

“Just tell me everything you know. Maybe I can help.” I knew my eyes were imploring, darting back and forth. I balled up my fists and wrapped my fingers around his shirt.

“You’re not doing a damn thing.”

“Then why the fuck am I here?” As soon as I asked the question, I backed away. “This is all about protecting me. Isn’t it? This isn’t love, not real love.”

“How can you say that? Yes, I plan on protecting you for the rest of your life, but you’re here because you belong to me!”

Just hearing him say the words and the possession in them was terrifying. “Please, Edmond. This is my life as well as yours. I need to know what happened and what might happen.”

“You’re so beautiful. So trusting.”

“You say that as if I’m naïve. I’m no fool, Edmond. I knew something was drastically wrong from day one but there was nothing I could do about it at the time. You must know that.”

“Maybe we were both fools, Mercedes. I didn’t want you involved at all, and I still don’t.”

“Tough. I’m involved.” I folded my arms, refusing to look away from him. A few images flashed in my mind, a strange scent wafting into my nostrils.

“Do you not understand? You’re innocent.”

“So are you!”

He hesitated, closing his eyes. His face was pensive, his muscles tensing. “I can’t remember the details of that night. Not all of them. My father confronted me. We argued. I do remember striking him. Then I heard a voice and things became chaotic. I just… Goddamn it. Why can’t either one of us remember?”

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. That’s not you. You’re not capable of doing anything horrible. I know that.”

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