Page 14 of Anathema
Pulling my phone out, I reviewed the document I had emailed myself earlier while in the office. I had done some additional research using the CIA’s resources and managed to get a hold of alist of residents who lived in or at least rented these apartments. I may not have known which unit she was in specifically, but at least I could see if I knew any of the residents’ names.
Browsing through the list, I couldn’t find anyone who stuck out or was obvious as to whom she could be staying with or visiting.
Tossing my phone across the dashboard, I pounded my fists into the steering wheel with a curse. I was stuck, sitting here with no answers or even a hint as to why she was here and what she could be doing—whom she could be doing.
I laughed in aggravation, leaning back in my seat and running my hands through my hair. If only AJ were here to talk some sense into me. He always had my back, and with him gone and busy with Chyler, I was on my own. I was slowly losing my mind over a woman.
I closed my eyes as I rocked forward, pressing my forehead into the steering wheel and attempting to calm my erratic breathing. My hands had begun to white-knuckle beside my head, and I ground my teeth until they hurt.
Fucking relax, Derek… there is no one else…
But there could be, and there was nothing I could do sitting out here in my fucking truck, waiting for her to leave.
After what felt like hours of waiting, I caught sight of Alexis exiting the building. She walked down the street to her car and got in. I watched intently as she sat in her car for a few minutes before starting the engine and pulling away from the curb to leave.
I had every intention of following her, but instead, I pulled out my phone and opened the app to see where she was headed.
Alexis knew what kind of truck I drove, and there weren’t many of them around. It would have been all too obvious if she saw it in her mirrors.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived at her apartment across the city, and I locked my phone, setting it down in the cup holder.
She was home and most likely going straight to bed. It was just past midnight.
Satisfied with where she was, I yawned, stretching my arms out in front of me and rolling my wrists.
This wasn’t what I had planned for my night after a long workday, but it was better than just sitting at home alone, watching TV or scrolling social media.
With my mind finally at ease, I started my truck and drove to the only place I wanted to be tonight.
Chapter 6
Alexis
Aftermyheatedencounterwith Derek, I stopped at Eli’s apartment to see if he could help me pull my files and data from the hard drive. While the laptop was useless in its current state, the files stored on the hard drive could still be recovered. A lesson learned: I should move my essential files to the cloud to avoid this happening again.
I stayed at his place for as long as it would take him to work his magic and tried my hardest to avoid any conversation about Anathema. While Eli was adamant that I avoid them at all costs and not get involved, I had already made that decision against all his best wishes. Even before I stopped by the first time, I had already left my response for them with my interest. It was probably unwise, now that I look back on it. But curiosity got the better of me, as it always managed to do.
While I played the role of glorified event planner for Charlotte, I still got my hands dirty. Based on my looks, I wasn’t as innocent as you’d expect; Chyler wasn’t the only unhinged monster of our trio. Hell, all three of us were fucked in the head in some way, shape and form. Even Madison, the perfect brainiac, had an affinity for twisted shit.
The only reason Chyler was the ‘golden child’ in Charlotte’s eyes, and Madison and I feared her, was because her specialty was torture, and that off switch of hers was fucking terrifying.
When I realized that there was a new—or, I guess, illusive, in Eli’s words—group interested in me, of course, I jumped at the opportunity to explore them further. There was nothing they could throw at me that I couldn’t handle. I would pass their tests with flying colors, and once I was an official member, I’d have nothing left to fear in this world. The world would fear me instead.
“It’s almost done,” Eli spoke, and I blinked back from my wandering thoughts.
I sat on his bed with my legs crossed, leaning back on my palms and looking all too comfortable for the man sitting across from me.
“Great…” I yawned and looked at the time on my phone—eleven. It was late, and I had been here much longer than I had initially intended to be. He told me it would only take a few hours to complete, but I guess he underestimated his skill set tonight.
“How much longer? I’ve had a long day. I need sleep, Eli.” I whined, rolling my neck.
“You’re welcome to sleep right there if you want.” He gestured to where I was sitting and grinned.
I huffed. This again? Hereallyneeds to give it a rest. I was already dealing with Derek practically stalking me every single day of my life. I didn’t need to add Eli into the mix as well. Granted, Eli had always tried to get into my pants for sport; Derek, on the other hand, was completely obsessed with me. I could see his desire burning in his eyes and feel the intensity radiating off him when we were in the same room.
I was flattered that someone other than Eli could feel that way towards me. But at the same time, I knew Derek was a walking red flag, and I would not let myself get tangled up in that mess.
“And where would you sleep?” I questioned with a sigh, knowing his answer already; this was a studio apartment, and he wouldn’t even remotely consider sleeping on the floor while I was laying here in his bed.
