Page 71 of Anathema
“I knew.” Dean chimed in, limping over to us with Madison wrapped around him. “I informed Drake about our Alexis problem, and it turns out the Minneapolis PD wasn’t covering up for Anathema like we initially believed. In fact, they were waiting for the right time to strike against Adrian and shut him down completely.” He grunted, holding his side with his free hand.
“It didn’t occur to you that maybe that was essential information we should have all known?” I didn’t know if I should be pissed off or impressed with him. What he did saved us all, but we could have been better prepared knowing they were down here with us the entire time.
“It was a gamble. I didn’t know if Drake could pull it off, and I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up if their plan failed.” He shrugged slightly, his movements stiff.
“So… what? We were essentially the bait for them to get to Adrian?” I looked to AJ, who just pressed his lips into a hard line and frowned.
“Somewhat…” Dean shifted his weight, Madison gripping his shirt, her hands still trembling.
“Get me out of here.” She murmured, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
“I will, darling, but we need to confirm if Drake caught Adrian before we leave.” He ran a hand through her hair, cupping hercheek and lightly pressing his lips to her forehead. The gesture made my heart twist and yearn for Alexis. She still hadn’t returned, and I was seconds from taking off to find her.
Madison sucked in a breath and nodded, burying her face back in his shirt. What happened between Adrian and her seriously affected her current emotional state. I had never seen her so unsettled. She always seemed the most grounded and composed of the three of them.
“Dean, you—” I started.
“Looks like I showed up just in time for tonight’s party.” Sergeant Drake chimed in from across the room; returning from the same passageway, they had charged down to catch Adrian.
Relief washed over me seconds later when my eyes locked on Alexis; her clothes were torn, her hair a matted, dirty mess, and her body was covered in bruises and dried blood. Even in her current state, she was still radiant and beautiful. A vision that I couldn’t take my eyes off. I continued staring at her in awe as she and Chyler approached us with Drake.
“Dean.” Drake nodded as he stopped before us. “You look like shit… all of you.” He chuckled as if this whole night was nothing but a joke.
“You’re hilarious, Drake. Couldn’t have stepped in sooner?” I snapped in irritation, pulling Alexis into me and wrapping my arms tightly around her, burying my face in her hair. I didn’t care that she smelt like blood and dirt. The fact that I was holding her in my arms—alive—was everything. “You okay?” I murmured into her, pressing my lips toher scalp.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She blew out, relaxing in my embrace.
“Just be glad we were here regardless; if I couldn’t get enough men to volunteer for this operation, you’d probably be dead by now. All of you.”
God, he was such a fucking asshole.
“Drake—” I ground out before Dean cut me off.
“Thank you.” He narrowed his eyes at me with a glare to shut the fuck up. “We’re grateful that you and your team were able to pull this off and put a stop to Anathema.”
“Did you manage to get him? Adrian?” AJ added, looking over Drake’s shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of Adrian being taken away in cuffs by one of the SWAT officers. I know I was hoping to see the same thing.
“Yes, Officer Andrews is taking him up to the surface, and once we are done here, we’ll escort him to Oak Park Heights, the level five maximum security prison where he can live out the rest of his days, however many that may be. I know a few guys in there have a vendetta against Adrian.” Drake gave a dark chuckle before whistling and gesturing his hand to the remaining SWAT officers. “Let’s go, boys. Pack it up.”
The officers began filtering out of the room on his command, with nothing left to address regarding Anathema and what had happened here tonight. However, one question loomed over my head, which revolved around the information Dean had given me weeks ago.Why?
“Why did it take so long,” I called out as Drake began leavingthe room.
“Excuse me?” He stopped mid-step and turned to face us.
“All this time, every lead, every call regarding dark figures hovering around the abandoned mills. Why were they never addressed? Why were they covered up and ignored for so long?” I still couldn’t wrap my head around the unknowns that nagged at me. They could have ended Adrian and his reign of corruption months—years ago. It shouldn’t have taken this long.
“Derek, you know as well as I do what Anathema was capable of and what we, as government agencies, had to do to keep the peace.” Drake sighed, scratching the back of his head.
“You had the means, Drake. Don’t lie to me. Tell me the truth, why?” I pressed. He was dodging the question, and I had a good idea why, but I also hoped I was wrong.
“Because when it comes down to it, we are all corrupt in some way, and up until recent events, we didn’t see a need to end the role they played in removing those we had no legal authority to.” Drake shrugged. “We all dream of a perfect world, Derek, and sometimes you have to break a few rules and turn a blind eye to achieve just that.” He admitted with a sigh.
“You’re wrong.” I voiced, shaking my head in denial of his words.
“Am I?” He gestured to Madison, Chyler, and Alexis with a smirk. “I don’t think so. Take care, Derek. I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure.” He nodded before leaving the room and exiting the headrace tunnels.
The six of us stood there in silence—his words and the weight they carried sinking in.
