Page 67 of Bed of Thorns

He’d made more than one reference to how I should handle my life, acting as if he was attempting to become a fatherly figure. That I didn’t need. He’d also made references to a code that must be followed at all times, acting as if breaking the rules could possibly mean termination. Nothing was overt, certainly no direct statements, but I’d felt it in his structured criticisms and his oversight early on.

While he’d left me alone in my work during the last two weeks, I’d never gotten over the feeling that he was watching me carefully, studying me like a specimen.

Just like he’d done to Mercedes.

He drove a black sedan, a solid vehicle with blacked-out windows. I’d forced her to go over every detail again, learning that she hadn’t looked inside the windows. There hadn’t been just a red flag raising. I’d felt a dark tug in my chest, the wretched sensations forming an intense pull that I couldn’t shake.

I stormed into the office that morning, determined to confront him. It was early, more so than the usual time I arrived, but I hadn’t managed to sleep, the ugliness of nightmares forcing me outside into the darkness. I didn’t bother knocking, throwing open Carl’s door without hesitation.

I already knew he was at work, early as always. His black sedan was in the parking lot in its usual spot.

Carl slowly lifted his head, as if he’d been expecting me. There was no emotion on his face, neither contempt nor surprise. Just… nothing. Yet I could swear his eyes flashed if only for a moment.

“Were you at my house yesterday?” I demanded, taking long strides toward his desk.

He took a sip of coffee before easing back in his seat. Very slowly a smile crossed his face. “Your girlfriend is very observant.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “She is, but she didn’t need to be—given the fact your vehicle was parked out front. Was it you who was standing on the beach behind our house or one of your flunkies?” I didn’t give a shit if I was crossing some unknown line. Whatever game he was playing with me, I was finished with.

I’d enjoyed the five weeks of working in the environment, venturing out of the States. How Carl had managed to get me a passport without issue was just another of many questions that had burrowed in the back of my mind. There were secret documents and closed doors meetings that I certainly hadn’t been privy to. My instinct told me there was much more going on within the hallowed walls of this company.

“It’s obvious to me that I didn’t explain the importance of the work we’re doing within this company.”

His words were incredibly insensitive, further igniting the short fuse I already had. “This has nothing to do with the importance of the work we’re doing. This is about invasion of privacy, or worse, checking up on my life. You already know more about me than anyone else. What more do you need from me? My girlfriend felt threatened. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Why are you so angry, Edmond? It’s common practice in a high security setting to ensure that the top people of the organization are engaging in a lifestyle that suits the corporate mentality.”

“The corporate mentality? Are you kidding me? This isn’t a Catholic church or some other holier than thou organization. This is a financial institution.”

He stood, his expression darkening. “That’s exactly right. We are a closely knit organization who handles billion-dollar accounts, yourself included. Our responsibilities are stringent, both from the perspective of the SEC as well as the men and women we serve. But you already know that. What are you concerned about, Edmond? Truly concerned about?”

I couldn’t believe he was challenging me at this point. I’d worked ten- to twelve-hour days, often taking work home. I’d never questioned a client, although I had reservations about at least two. “Why were you spying on my house?”

He walked around the desk, taking his time, completely relaxed. “Because it was important that I ensure my original observations of you were correct.”

“For what reason?”

Carl took the time to fold his arms as he leaned against his desk. He wasn’t a typical formidable man given his stature, but his aura was commanding, his observation skills powerful. “Did you stop and wonder why I pushed you so hard from day one, requiring you to travel often?”

“Should I?”

He laughed. “Perhaps not, but I’ll be frank and open with you, Edmond. You were being groomed from day one. From before you walked into my office.”

Groomed. That was akin to being programmed, which wasn’t something I could tolerate. “For what reason?” My throat was tight, my voice raspy.

He glanced at the open door, taking his time as he walked around me slowly, closing the door with a soft click. When he approached, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “As you might imagine, there are junior level staffers here for a reason. Now, I’m not undermining the work they do, which is to keep our more… vanilla clients happy. They perform an excellent service, although certainly not as outstanding as what you’ve exhibited during the course of five short weeks. You should be very proud of yourself.”

“As you might imagine, Mr. Walters, I’m not a patient man.”

“Something… Adam attempted to teach you.” There was a hesitation just before he said Adam’s name.

What the hell game was being played?

“In doing so, Adam also taught me to be careful in that a gift horse was one prepared to provide a harsh kick that could become unrecoverable. While his words were solid, some that I took to heart, I didn’t need to learn that lesson from him.”

“Why was your girlfriend so terrified?”

“Why? You mean other than the fact that a strange man was standing fifty yards away from the house watching her? Because, Mr. Walters, she’s endured a hell of a lot since my father dated her mother, including being a part of the repulsive events at my father’s office. In addition, the asshole who prosecuted me, William Villanova, stalked her, tossing innuendoes against me as well as threatening her, including doing so outside her home in Maine. And on top of that, she had an abusive ex-boyfriend, who happened to be a member of the New York mafia. I think you might find it understandable that seeing someone standing only feet away, watching her might be of concern.”

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