Page 51 of Anathema
I’ll never understand why he insists on using handwritten messages for communication and would send a member to my apartment to collect me for a simple meeting. Can’t he do anything for himself? It’s like he relies on everyone else around him to do his dirty work instead.
I tossed the envelope onto the counter, leaving the kitchen to take a shower and change out of my lounge clothes. I might as well make myself presentable if I was going to be face-to-face with Adrian this evening. I didn’t care what he thought ofme, but I knew better than to go down into those tunnels in baggy clothing that could hinder my ability to quickly escape if necessary.
Charlotte trained Madison, Chyler, and me to always be prepared for uncertain circumstances. That’s why we always wear tight-fitting clothing when we are out in public. It makes us harder to grab and easier to bolt. Deciding on all black, I pulled on my leggings, tank top, and leather jacket.
“Shit…”
Looking at myself in the mirror, I cursed, seeing how beat up the back of my jacket had gotten from the manor. I had cleaned it from most of the glass and blood, but the back was full of puncture marks. I would have to buy a new one.
I spent the rest of the early afternoon lounging around my apartment, waiting for whoever was supposed to escort me to the hideout. There was no word from Derek, and I didn’t want to come off as clingy and needy already, so I avoided reaching out to him. Even though I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to respond to me. I needed to reel myself in.
Yes, I confessed to loving him, and yes, I did truly feel that way—now, but I felt like I was jumping from one side of the earth to another without sparing a second to breathe. I thought my desire for him in the realm of just sex was intense, but the emotional toll that love puts on the soul was crushing. I’ve never actually loved someone before. I never thought I'd know how to.
There was a knock at the door, and I shot up from the couch where I was resting and ran to answer it. When I opened the door, I was met by a cloaked individual who held out a card for me to take.They didn’t speak, just stood there staring at me with their arm stretched out, card in hand. I couldn’t see their face, but I assumed they were staring at me all the same.
“What? No talking? Even outside the hideout, you guys have to give me the silent treatment?” I joked as I looked over the card they had handed me.
Please follow me to meet with Adrian. I will be your escort for this evening.
This felt incredibly stupid, but I had words for him—so many words. I blew out a breath, grabbed my jacket, and pulled the door closed before following them out of the building.
Here goes nothing.
Chapter 23
Derek
“Isweartogod,this better be good, Derek.” Madison stormed into the room, arms crossed over her chest and a look of disdain on her face. “What the fuck are you doing here?” She looked over to the corner of the room where Eli had sat down while we waited for her to arrive.
Clearly, she wasn’t a fan of either of us today. I didn’t know she knew Eli, but it shouldn't have surprised me, given his history with Alexis.
“Nice to see you too, Mads. How’s the new boy toy?” Eli chuckled with a smirk, leaning back in his chair.
“That’s none of your business. How’s your precious Monika?” She hissed right before Eli shot up from his chair, wrapping his hand around her throat with a sneer. Dean moved to interfere, but Madison shot him a pointed glare, clearly signaling she could handle the situation herself.
“You keep her name out of that cock whoring mouth of yours.” He gave another hard squeeze before releasing her throat, shoving her out of arm’s reach, and returning to his chair.
I raised a brow at the two of them, standing from my seat behind the desk and resting my palms on top. Madison rubbed and cleared her throat before facing me, ignoring that Eli was still in the room. Dean stepped up behind her, and she held out a hand to stop him.
“I’m fine. Why am I here?” She rasped, still catching her breath.
“You are here because you are close to Adrian Valtores. Does the name ring a bell?” I started, sliding the background check across the desk with his profile visible to her.
“Was… Iwasclose to him years ago before we ended things. What of it?” She gave me a questioning glance before crossing her arms once again.
“We need to know more about him. His habits, tendencies, personal contacts?” I continued. Madison scoffed and rolled her eyes.
“You want to know more about him?” She scoffed. “Adrian was a piece of shit who broke my heart into a million pieces and left me. He was nothing more than some prissy, uptight asshole who thought he owned the world. What do you want with him? He doesn’t even live here; he left Minnesota when we broke up.” Madison had an incredulous look, and it told me that Dean didn’t share the whole story regarding Adrian with her.
“Dean, do you want to update her?” I offered, gesturing my hand.
“I’d rather not…” He shrank into himself, shoving his hands into his pockets and stepping back.
“Update me on what? Adrian? Is he here?” Her eyes flew wide as she looked around the room, expecting to see him pop out at any moment and surprise her. Dean sighed and rested a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
“No, darling. He’s not. Derek and I found out that he is the leader of a group called Anathema, and they have been working in a hideout under Minneapolis.” He explained softly to her.
Darling?I raised a brow at Dean, hearing what he had called Madison, and now all the pieces had begun falling into place. I knew he was sleeping with her; it was either him or Marcus. Both of them had been acting strange lately.
