Page 45 of Anathema
“Does it—Derek, it wasn’t easy to convince Eli to work with us in the first place, and with the shit you just pulled, you’re lucky he still even is.” He pressed his fingers into the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes so tight I could see the wrinkles that formed on the corners. “What the fuck has gotten into you lately?” He added with an exhausted sigh.
“Nothing.” I snapped, running a hand through my hair and tugging at the nape of my neck as I moved to walk towards thestairs. I didn’t owe him an explanation for my behavior; I didn’t owe Dean anything.
“Well, thisnothingalmost cost us our only essential lead on this assignment. You need to figure your shit out before it makes matters worse…” He called over my shoulder; his tone was stern and aggravated.
“and Derek...” I stopped at the top of the stairs and sighed heavily.
I knew I had fucked up and lost control of myself. But seeing him wrapped around her with his mouth on hers snapped something inside of me. I couldn’t stand seeing Alexis with someone else, not when I finally had her within arms reach.
She was mine, and I’d be damned if I let someone like Eli Wilder get in the way of that.
“Did you really have to fuck her on his bed? Couldn’t keep it in your pants until you got home?” Dean teased with a sigh, the harshness in his tone lightening as he stepped up beside me and slapped a hand on my shoulder. While he was upset with how I handled things, he cut me some slack and didn’t scold me any further.
I probably could have waited to have her, but the thought of claiming and fucking Alexis in the bed of a man who wanted her just as much as I did was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. I needed him to get the message that she was off limits—mine, and what better way to send that than covering his sheets in both her cum and mine.
What I did may have come off as fucked up, but I don’t regret a second of it. Alexis sure as fuck enjoyed it.
“One of these days, Dean, you’ll understand. But I’m not explaining myself to you right now,” I chuckled lightly before we began descending the stairs to the exit.
If only he knew what Alexis did to me and how crazy she drove me. I was a man starved before she came along, and now that I’ve had my taste and fill of her—I couldn’t get enough. She was an addiction, the best kind.
“Oh, I get it. Don’t think you are the only one having some fun around here, Derek,” Dean gave me a sly grin, holding open the door at the bottom of the stairs. “I just don’t broadcast it to the world. At least… not yet.” He winked before stepping outside and heading down the street to my truck.
Now,thatwas a story I wanted to hear.
AsDeanandIapproached the main entrance to the CIA office, he stopped me, placing his hand in front of the door and holding it closed.
“Yes?” I raised a brow in annoyance.
“You’ve already provoked Eli once; let me do the talking in there.” Dean pleaded, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his request.
“He started it, but I’ll play nice… Again.” I held my hands up and sighed.
“Derek.” His tone hardened as he shoved my shoulder.
“I said I’d play nice, Dean. What more do you want from me?” I gestured my hands out wide, unsure what else he was insinuating.
He groaned and aggressively pulled open the door—determined to slam it in my face, I’m sure. I followed Dean to the elevator bay, and we rode the first one that opened up to the fifth floor.
Reaching our floor, we exited the elevator and approached my office. From the looks of it, Eli had already made himself comfortable sitting behind my desk and taking in the view of the city through the windows.
“Make yourself at home, why don’t you,” I commented as soon as we entered the room, closing the door behind us.
“Like you did at my apartment? I’m sure I know exactly what I’ll be returning to. Thanks for that, by the way.” Eli huffed, spinning the leather chair around to face us and crossing his arms over his chest with a look of disdain planted on his face.
“You—”
Dean jabbed me hard in the side with his elbow, stopping the many savage words I had for him from leaving my mouth, and I cleared my throat instead.He fucking deserved it.
I glared at Eli before dropping into the two-person couch in the corner of the room. I set an elbow on the armrest, with my other arm stretched out across the back. I may as well make myself comfortable for this discussion. We could be here a while if Dean was going to play the good cop.
Shifting his gaze from me to Eli, Dean sighed and clicked his tongue.
“Look, being blunt, we need more than just a map of the headrace system, Eli.” Dean started, leaning over the desk and resting his palms on top.
“That’s all I got for you.” Eli shrugged, slumping back in the chair, lacing his fingers, and resting them on his stomach.
“We can’t keep our end of the deal if you can’t give us helpful information," I added from the far end of the room.
