Page 87 of Bed of Thorns

“What’s wrong?”

“They’re dead. All of them. Did you kill them? You need to tell me. Now!”

The crackling tension between us was suffocating.

“What are you talking about?”

“Joseph Capalla. Senator Villanova. William is missing. But I know he’s dead. Did. You. Kill. Them?”

Her accusatory tone didn’t surprise me. All the fucking secret trips I’d taken. All the anger. All the acceptance. My thoughts drifted to attacking William in his home. I’d been surprised he hadn’t pushed members of law enforcement to track me down. He couldn’t. He knew that in doing so, he would sign his death warrant. But it didn’t matter. He’d done so anyway by daring to warn Mercedes.

My entire world shifted upside down for a second time. I’d lost control, placing her in danger. My decision was made.

I would ruin the members of the Prism Group.

“I promise you, Mercedes. I did nothing to any of those men. I’m not a monster.”

Her hesitation nearly ripped my heart apart. “I believe you. Then they killed him. They did. Just like they’re going to kill you.”

The rush of adrenaline flowing through me was tremendous, spots rushing in front of my eyes. “Oh, baby. Nothing is going to happen,” I huffed. Bullshit. The fire had been ignited. “Breathe for me. How did you find all this out?”

“Just come home. Please. They know everything. I’ve been investigating. I called Sheila. Carl visited me at the gallery. The computer. Everything.” She wasn’t making any sense. The woman wasn’t prone to hysteria, which meant Carl had put the fear of God into her. Why hadn’t I listened to her before?

“Did he threaten you? Hurt you?” I snarled, barely keeping my composure.

“I’m fine. He just… He made it clear that he solved problems I’d had in the past. What did you tell them? He killed those people. Please, Edmond.”

Sighing, I glanced toward the door. “It’s okay, baby,” I reassured her, although nothing was going to be okay unless I could figure a way out of the mess. “I’ll be there within the hour. Try and relax. Lock the doors.”

“Do you think that matters, Edmond? They’ve been inside the house. This fucking house that never felt like ours. The foundation is built on lies. And blood.” Her words were strangled, her tone shoving another knife into my heart. “I’m sick, so sick. I think they bugged the computers.” I’d never heard such fear in her voice.

Fury jetted through me like high octane gasoline. I smashed my fist against the desk, trying to alleviate the spots of blood rushing past my eyes. “I still hold the cards, Mercedes. They won’t do anything rash until I play my hand. Lock the doors and stay inside. Just promise me you’ll do that.”

“Yes, of course. This group is dangerous, Edmond. Don’t underestimate them. Please.”

“Don’t worry, baby.” After ending the call, I held the phone against my forehead, my heart thudding rapidly. The rabbit hole had quicksand in the bottom. I’d need to continue drinking the Kool-Aid for a little while longer. If not? I couldn’t think about the consequences.

I headed out of my office, whistling as I often did while walking the halls. The conference room door was shut, and I remained outside of it for a full minute before walking inside without knocking.

Then I allowed the moment of shock to course through me like a thunderbolt.

Adam was the single person inside the room.

He stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out exactly the way I’d done earlier.

His hands in his trouser pockets.

His face pensive, staring out at the ocean.

His body tensed.

Then he tipped his head, allowing me to see his profile.

“Close the door, Edmond. I think we have a lot to talk about.”

“Adam. Or do you prefer being called Markus?”

He laughed, turning around after I’d closed the door. I remained standing in the same position, remaining dispassionate.

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