Page 53 of Anathema
I was fuming—at the situation, myself, and her. Alexis had put herself in a dangerous position, and I needed to do something about it, but I had not a single fucking clue as to what.
I collapsed to the floor, leaning against the island and kicking a chair out of my way. It spun on its leg before crashing to the floor. I stared out into the dark room before hanging my head in defeat.
What the fuck was I going to do?
I picked up my phone and called Dean. I needed someone to talk to, but even more so, I needed him here with Eli so we could figure out our best course of action. Alexis was the number one priority, as far as I was concerned. Fuck the assignment. I needed her home and safe in my arms.
“Derek. How’d it go?” He answered.
“She’s not here. They took her.” I rasped, trying to collect myself and keep my emotions in check. I was so fucked. My hands and body were shaking.
“What do you mean they—hold on…”
He was most likely still with Madison and Eli, leaving the room to continue our conversation privately. God only knows what Madison will do the second she learns about Alexis.
“What do you mean they took her?” There was shock and concern in his voice.
“Exactly what I fucking said. They took her. Get over here with Eli and Madison. We need to figure out what we are going to do to get her back before it’s too late.” I swear to fucking god, if Adrian lays a single hand on her, I will kill him. I’ll kill any and all of those fuckers, if she was harmed in any way.
“Be there in fifteen…” Dean clipped before hanging up the phone.
How could I let something like this happen? How could I have missed this part of her life?
Scrolling through my phone while I waited for Dean to show up with Eli and Madison, I pulled up the only other contact in my phone who could help us—me, Atlas.
Me: I need your help. How soon can you get into the city?
It only took a few seconds for him to reply.
AJ: What’s this about?
Me: Alexis, she’s disappeared. I’m guessing you should bring Chyler with you, too.
AJ: What did you do, Derek?
Of course, he would think I did something wrong here, and if loving her was wrong, then yes, I was entirely at fault for all of this.
Me: I didn’t do anything! Can you gethere or not?
There was a brief pause from him. A couple of minutes passed before his reply came through.
AJ: Where is here?
Me: Alexis’ apartment. Dean and Madison are on their way here with Eli.
AJ: Chyler and I will be there as soon as we can. Hang tight.
I sighed, dropping my phone on the floor. AJ and Chyler were still up in Duluth, and depending on where they were, it would take them at least two hours to get here. In the meantime, we would need to get as much information as possible from Eli regarding the hideout.
Now wasn’t the time for him to keep secrets from us for leverage; Alexis’ life was at stake.
Why Lex? Why…
Chapter 24
Alexis
Anxiouswasn’tevencloseto describing my current emotional state. I took slow, deep breaths as I followed my escort into the basement of an abandoned flour mill. They haven’t said a single word since arriving at my apartment to retrieve me. The silence between us was unnerving.
