Page 78 of Bed of Thorns

“I believe you understand why both Markus and I felt that Edmond was a right fit for our… corporation. Yes?” Carl asked, taking a few seconds to glance from one to the other.

Oh, my God. They all nodded, one then another, the single gesture stating more than if they’d said anything.

This had been nothing more than another fucking test.Please turn around, Edmond. Let’s leave. We’ll be fine.

But I didn’t dare say the words because I knew it wouldn’t come true. He’d been swept away by the lure of power.

“Then let’s toast to the future,” Carl continued. That seemed to break the ice, their stoic expressions and stiff body language returning to the way they’d been earlier. Even a few of them smiled, lifting their glass higher in my direction.

I managed to take a sip, although the five hundred dollar a bottle glass now tasted bitter. Everything seemed fuzzy in my mind, their voices nothing more than a dull roar. I looked away, swallowing hard. How could this be happening? Who were these people?

“Edmond, the members of the board have put together a special welcome gift for both of you,” Carl said as he walked toward a credenza on the other side of the room. When the others backed away, I noticed a small box wrapped in a huge red ribbon. He took several sips of his drink before taking it into his hand, walking toward us with the same careful steps Edmond had taken all night.

“What is this?” Edmond asked, more excited than before.

“Just a thank you for all your hard work so far, your determination to succeed duly noted. I believe I can speak for all of us in wishing a bright future for a very talented young man. Mercedes, you should be proud of him. One day he just might rule the world.”

There was the real truth behind the fabulous façade. They were somehow influencers of aspects of government and finances, maybe military action. My mind was reeling from the possibilities, barely standing in the same position.

“I am,” I stated as if on cue.

I was rewarded by several bright smiles. Carl handed Edmond the box, who then turned toward me, holding out his drink. As before, I couldn’t read Edmond’s thoughts, but I sensed his emotions. He was overjoyed, happier than I’d been able to make him. At that moment, I felt a small part of him slipping away from me and I’d never been so sad in my life.

Edmond took his time easing the bow from the box, melodramatic in opening the lid. I peered over his shoulder, frightened of what I’d find. There was a thick manila envelope and four sets of keys. Four. I was immediately trembling all over, my heart hammering against my chest.

“What’s this?” Edmond asked like a kid on Christmas morning.

Carl laughed, the others in the room beaming. “Well, we can’t have one of our senior advisors living in squalor, now can we? Inside the envelope you’ll find a deed to a brand-new house in Virginia Beach as well as a check to enable you to decorate it however you’d like. In addition, we collectively decided on two more acceptable vehicles to ensure you can get where you need to go without hindrance.”

What? I was thrown to the point I was truly speechless, fighting tears that were already burning my eyes. I wanted to be elated, to feel the same excitement I could tell Edmond was already experiencing, but nothing of this kind of value came without strings attached.

“That’s… amazing, but not necessary. I like to pay my own way,” Edmond insisted.

“Of course you do, Edmond, which is another reason you are the perfect candidate. Call it nothing more than a token of our appreciation. I assure you the work you will be handling will be arduous at times, pulling precious moments away from your growing family. The least we could do was make the time you spend together free of worry.”

Carl was positively beaming.

Then again, so was Edmond.

“I don’t know what to say,” he half whispered, finally glancing down to see my reaction. I had no idea what my expression or body language was saying, but at least two of the individuals in the room sensed I wasn’t happy.

“There’s no need, my boy,” Carl muttered, his eyes shifting toward me. As he took a deep breath and held it, I realized it was of dire importance that I continue being the good little actress.

“You are far too generous. I’m stunned, uncertain I can find the right words.” At least my voice had a lilt to it, my smile larger than before. I rose onto my tiptoes, tugging on Edmond’s neck until he was forced to lower his head. Then I kissed him, full out, allowing the others to experience the heat of our passion that had nothing to do with money or power.

Carl started to laugh. “I think we’ve made them happy. Oh, and my dear,” he said, waiting for us to finish our intimate moment.

Edmond nipped my bottom lip, winking before pulling away.

I turned dutifully toward the man, seething inside. “Yes?”

“We have something special for you as well. You’re going to be putting up with a very detail-oriented, hardworking man over the next few years. Of course, we wanted to make certain you enjoyed aspects of your life even without your husband around.”

Now he was my husband.

“I don’t understand,” I said, so dizzy I was fearful I’d faint.

“The fourth set of keys is to a brand-new gallery designed with your beautiful paintings in mind. I envision you will have tremendous success in the future.”

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