Page 68 of Bed of Thorns

He lifted his head, studying me as intently as he’d done before. “And you would do anything, anything in your power to protect her. Correct?”

Was this another one of his ridiculous tests? I was weary of them already, still trying to figure out the riddle. My God. I had no idea where this was going but my instinct told me to walk out. Why couldn’t I? Because I’d already started enjoying the perks that were associated with the job.

“I would die for her, Mr. Walters. She is the reason I’m here. I made her a promise that I would bring joy to her life. That includes providing for her financially. What is the point of any of this? What have I been groomed for?” While there was a terseness in my voice, I no longer cared. As he’d done so many times before, he studied me intently, his dark eyes reaching in through my skull, tearing apart bits and pieces of my soul.

“The point is that you’ve been selected, Edmond. Adam was on the mark about you.”

“On the mark? Selected? For what exactly?” It seemed every word he chose was extremely selective.

“We are a special breed here. I’ve already alluded to as much.”

Sighing, I looked out the window, doing everything I could to keep my composure. “While I mean no disrespect, Mr. Walters, please get to the point.”

“You were provided with a lower tier of clients these past few weeks.”

I heard him, but I didn’t respond. I’d been on probation. I couldn’t blame the man, but I wished he’d told me.

“To that end, you’ve done remarkably well. Quite honestly, we are very pleased with your performance and so are your clients.”

“We?”

“Please take a seat, Edmond.”

“As you know, I prefer to stand. I don’t like being led down the wrong path.”

He sighed. “Then I will get right to the point and no, I’ve haven’t lied to you at all. I have been careful. That’s how we stay in business. That’s how we thrive.”

There was something entirely different about what he was saying, as if his institution was running the world. “We.”

“The Prism Group.” A slight smile crossed his face after relaying the information, as if I knew what thefuckhe was talking about.

“Okay. Who is this group?”

“Exactly what I told you before. We are the upper echelon of society. Perhaps you could call us the movers and shakers. We are in a position to control all power all over the world. Only we choose to do so carefully, keeping a balance of things.”

“Riddles, Mr. Walters. That’s all you’re saying to me. How many members?”

“Just over two hundred.”

“From every country?”

“Almost, yes. We strive to maintain a harmonious world by building a team.”

A team. I shook my head then turned around to face him. “What you’re telling me is that these two hundred individuals, yourself included, could make a decision that would alter the course of the entire world’s economy, perhaps military operations as well. Am I getting warm?” I wasn’t certain how to react or even the way I felt about what he was telling me. It was farfetched, so unbelievable that it was likely the truth.

That should scare me to death. Instead, I was intrigued, salivating at getting to the punchline.

“As I told you on the first day we met, you are very astute.”

“What does this have to do with me? I’m being allowed to work for this Prism Group, handling entirely different clients?”

He walked closer, a slight smile forming on his face. “What I’m telling you, Edmond, is that you’ve been chosen to become a Prism member.”

I was stunned, finding it almost impossible to process what he was telling me. “Go on.”

Laughing, he moved beside me at the window, staring out at the morning sky. “There are many additional perks that go along with being a member. Of course, you’ll be on probation as you study our methods and practices, learn the rules. They are stringent. We have a code of honor that is not to be betrayed. Doing so could lead to… disturbing consequences. What I told you before applies. The group is highly private and must remain that way. Our influence is significant, but only because we maintain a very low profile.”

“Was Adam a member of this group?”

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