Page 89 of Bed of Thorns

Then I thought about Mercedes and the subtle yet powerful warning he was issuing. She would need to be eliminated in order to continue moving ahead within the group.

“I would have allowed her to leave if she’d left my son with me. Heirs are the most important thing within our organization. They are our future, Edmond. They will continue to provide glory and wealth beyond our means after our retirement. That’s vital within our world.” He lifted both glasses, taking his time going around the other end of the table, his eyes pinned on mine. “To that end, she poisoned my son against me. My only son. There was no recourse at that point. None.”

“So you had her killed.” As I repeated the words, I fisted my hand.

As he handed me the glass, the cold look in his eyes became even darker. “I did what was necessary for the greater good of the group.”

“But someone knew what you’d done.”

“That is true, which is why I landed in prison.”

“And you decided to use that time to influence me.”

He lifted his glass, waiting until I did as well. “My astute, intelligent boy. You were and are the son I’d lost. You are my greatest achievement. You are the future. I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent together and knew I’d made the right decision. You were even more impressive than I originally thought.”

Dear. God. “And the push to keep me away from retaliation? Was that simply so I’d fall into your mold, helping you find whatever he continues to protect?”

He licked the rim of his glass then tossed back the entire contents, slamming the tumbler on the table. “Your father was allowed to remain in his business without interference because of the greater good.”

Greater good. I didn’t care what that was supposed to mean. I took a sip, loathing the burn sliding down the back of my throat. “What now, Markus? What do you want from me?”

“Simply your loyalty. It’s my hope that you’ll remember the details of that night, but at this point whether you do or don’t is merely… icing on the cake. Damien died doing his job. I assure you that his family was well rewarded for his loyalty. You have a chance to make a difference in this world.”

“But you need my help in obtaining the information my father has.”

“That would be… delightful. Only you can make that happen. I’m firmly convinced. In doing so, it will allow your conscience to be freed. You’ll have your revenge, only in ways you hadn’t imagined. That should prove to be helpful for your continued concerns. Yes?”

Fuck. Fuck! I had to play along with this, or Mercedes’ life would be placed in danger. “I will not hurt the woman I love for any amount of money, Markus.”

He thought about what I was saying, finally nodding. “I believe you have the power to control her. If that’s the case, then I see no reason to make changes to your lifestyle.”

I was lost in a crazy sea of leeches and sharks, only treading water, soon to succumb to the blackness. “Then you allow me to handle it my way. No more visits to the gallery. No more invading our private space.”

When he moved closer, I was repulsed, more so with myself. I’d allowed his kind mannerisms and intense tutelage to influence me.

To fool me.

What a crock of shit.

Only I could fix this.

“Agreed. I don’t think any additional points need to be made. You’re a very intelligent man. You always do the right thing. I admire that in you, one of your excellent qualities. Why don’t you take a few days off? You’ve certainly earned them. Drive up the coast. Visit where you grew up. That could really help.”

I’d been given an ultimatum, one I couldn’t refuse.

I tossed back the remainder of the drink and smiled even though my rage had breached the surface. “I think that’s an excellent idea. Why don’t we drink to the future?”

He studied me intently for the next twenty seconds before breaking into a grin. “You really are like my son. You will make an incredible leader we can all look up to.”

As he headed for the bar, I took a deep breath, my mind shifting to the box. Yes, it was time for me to become a leader.

To right the wrongs.

To find the answers.

And to protect the woman I loved.

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