Page 60 of Bed of Thorns

“That’s what I’ve been telling myself for years, but I’m beginning to wonder.”

“Why did you say ‘they’ would hurt me?” The phrase was almost exactly the same as the one William had used.

His eyes narrowed as he thought about what I was saying. Then he laughed, the sound as bitter as the conversation. “I don’t know. The key is jogging my memory. I’m certain of it.”

“Whoever ‘they’ are is the key to why neither you nor I can remember that night. Maybe you found something with a better indication of an issue your father was up against. Maybe he pissed off the wrong people.”

Sighing, Edmond looked away. “My father pissed off dozens of people. I do remember that in the short time I worked there, the receptionist had to deal with several ugly conversations that my father refused to handle. But I can’t recall any single person or corporation.”

“Maybe the information you saved and buried next to your mother’s grave holds the key.”

The way he fisted his hand bothered me, the consternation on his face agonizing. “I don’t know, Mercedes. The fact I can’t remember has remained with me these entire last few years. And I’ve tried.”

“Maybe that’s the problem. You need to let it go and one day, everything will come back to you.”

“Why can’t you envision what happened?”

“Trauma. The mind shuts down, protecting itself. Whatever we both experienced changed us.” My heart was heavy, but I was determined to try to help him forget, if only for a little while.

He stared at me for a long time before smiling, a look of relief crossing his face. He wasn’t going to tell me. “Or maybe we’re looking in the wrong place to find the truth. Tell me more about William.”

“So you can continue to be angry with me?” I glared at him then looked away. “The reason I went out on a date with William was to find out more about what happened.”

“What did the bastard tell you?”

“Nothing of importance except you were guilty and deserved to fry. I was furious, and I walked out of the restaurant. But he made me curious so I kept looking, searching for anything I could find but everywhere I turned, the door was slammed shut. I don’t get it and it pissed me off.”

“You were sweet to return and try and find the truth, but you were careless. You don’t know what my father is capable of.”

Baring my entire soul hadn’t been my objective. “As I told you before, I had personal reasons as well.”

“Then trust me enough to tell me.”

Sighing, I fisted my hands, reminding myself this was Edmond and he wouldn’t hurt me under any circumstances. “I managed to land myself an asshole for a boyfriend for one thing. He was more like a stalker. He came out of nowhere. Then I couldn’t get rid of him.”

“What was his name?”

“Are you creating a list?”

“When did this boyfriend appear?”

“I don’t know.” But I thought about what he was saying. “Two weeks after the lunch with William.” I pressed my hand over my mouth. “You don’t think the two are related?”

“That’s exactly what I think. Tell me his name. Maybe I’ll recognize it.”

“Joseph Capalla. He was a law student at the university. I did check him out. He was sweet at first, but then he changed. Does that sound familiar?”

“Not in the least, but that means nothing. His name could have been forged as well as his credentials.”

“Why, to find out if I knew anything?”

He pulled away, taking my hand and pulling me from the room. I couldn’t handle another stall tactic. After leading me into the living room and pushing me down on the sofa, he gave me a stern look before walking to the small coat closet.

I remained on the edge of my seat, watching as he pried loose one of the boards, pulling the box into his hands. He rubbed his hand across the top, staring down at it as if he had yet to open it. When he rose to a standing position, turning toward me, his expression was unreadable. There was no anger as I’d expected, just a calmness to his demeanor that frightened me. While he walked toward me, he did so slowly.

I was certain he’d yet to look inside, fearful what the memories would do. Even accepting the new position hadn’t changed his need for revenge. He was simply biding his time.

He stood over me for a few seconds, his eyes barely blinking.

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