Page 70 of Bed of Thorns

My throat was even tighter, my nerves on edge. This was… unbelievable. “I don’t know what to say, Carl, other than this is a lot to take in. I have dozens of questions.”

“As I was certain you would. If you didn’t, then I’d know our choice was off the mark. Now, I suggest you enjoy the rest of your day with that pretty girlfriend of yours. She’s a painter, right?”

Jesus. Fucking. Christ. The man had gotten inside the house. How was that even possible? Was this his way of telling me that we’d been watched the entire time, sized up to ensure that I would be the perfect fucking group member? I couldn’t breathe, my chest tight. This was insane.

Play along. Just play along.

Was it possible my father had fallen into the darkness because of this? No. I couldn’t believe it. I just… “Yes, that’s her passion, although she has a business degree from Columbia.”

“A very talented woman. I’m certain she will find no difficulty selling her lovely pieces easily. Perhaps that’s something we can look into.”

We.

“I’m certain she would love that.” Words and thoughts churned in my mind. So many questions. Zero answers.

“Excellent.”

“You don’t know what happened that night. Do you?”

“Unfortunately, that is locked inside your mind, Edmond. The loss of Damien was… difficult for us, but we’ve regrouped, hiring additional individuals who provide assistance in our various endeavors.”

My God. They’re hired assassins.

“That’s why William mentioned ‘they’ would come after us. Correct?” I wasn’t going to tell him how involved Mercedes was at the point. However interested I was in achieving success, there was no doubt that being involved with the group to any capacity was dangerous.

Even worse, not accepting the offer could prove to be deadly.

He cocked his head, remaining unblinking. “An interesting statement for William to make, but I’m uncertain about his meaning. He has nothing to do with the group.”

But his senator father did. I was certain of it.

“William was coerced to lower my sentence.” I said the words in passing, but I knew I was right.

“Coerced is a strong word. It was obvious to many people that you were trying to do the right thing. We certainly couldn’t stand by and watch you be railroaded for something you didn’t do. You deserved a life.”

And they wanted me to fulfill some servitude. What in God’s name did my father have on the Prism Group? While I’d shut down the moment I’d realized my handwriting was on the initial pages of the documents hidden in the box, I hadn’t seen anything of value to such a powerful group.

Was it possible the changes I’d seen in him had been because of whatever truths he’d found by working with them? Or was my father born and bred to be a greedy son of a bitch, crushing anyone who got in his way? The latter sounded more reasonable.

“As I said, take the day and think about everything I’ve told you. If you agree, then we will move forward with your induction. I think you’ll be very pleased at the terms of the offer.”

“If I don’t accept?”

“Then we will help you develop a business of your own, but you’ll no longer be allowed to work within this organization. I’m certain you can understand the reasons why.” There was no expression on his face, but I sensed he wasn’t prepared for me to say no.

As far as where I stood, I had no idea. The thought of extreme wealth, the kind of power that could crush my father had a strong pull. But at what price? There were far too many questions to make the difficult decision at this point. “Understood.”

“Then you will need to call me in the morning. If you agree, then tomorrow night will be a very special night. It’s very rare that several of us get together at the same time, enjoying an evening that has little to do with business, but we feel we have something to celebrate.”

Carl assumed that I’d accept the honor. There was no nondisclosure, no formality to his offer. However, there was an implied warning. Fuck with them and I’d likely disappear or worse. “A celebration?”

He laughed, his jovial look returning. “Don’t look so forlorn, son. We do enjoy our lives to the fullest extent whenever possible. Balance is always the key. There is a very private club, the location used for at least two of our meetings held in any given year. Given it’s right here in Virginia Beach, a limo will be sent to your house, and you can thoroughly enjoy the festivities. And of course, Mercedes is invited. Those invitations will be rare, Edmond. Please keep that in mind.”

What the hell was I supposed to say to her? I could swear the man was reading my mind.

“To that end, you must not provide any details of what I’ve just told you. I need to make that very clear.”

“You don’t know her. She won’t let this go, Carl. She’s very formidable.”

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