Page 78 of Anathema
Eli
Hidingouthadbecomea lot harder than I initially anticipated. I spent days with my head on a swivel and jumping at every insignificant noise in the night. I couldn’t return to my apartment or any of my usual places, not when I knew that the CIA and Minneapolis PD were hunting my ass down.
I ended up in a newly built apartment complex that wasn’t open quite yet. From the looks of it, they were still installing the finishing touches on the main level, where the clubhouse and community amenities were located. For now, I was safe and hidden on the seventh floor. I broke into one of the units and set up camp in the far bedroom.
Aside from not having an actual bed to sleep on, this was a significant upgrade from my old place, so I didn’t mind the lack of comfort too much. Although, my back was killing me from sleeping on the floor, no matter how plush the carpet was.
I knew what I had done to Alexis and the full extent of what had happened between her and Adrian. I regret nothing, and I never will.
While Monika was a great fuck when I needed it, she was no Alexis and never would be. I wanted her and would go to the ends of the earth to make her mine. That’s where Adrian came into play. I had been working for Anathema since they were established, and when he took control of leadership, the power shift caught my interest.
I began working closely with him, closer than I had with the previous leaders. Along the way, he discovered my connection to Alexis and stated that he had a way for us both to get what we wanted. That’s where our partnership grew into a plan to bring Alexis into Anathema so Adrian could use her to get to Madison, and essentially, I could sweep in and save the day, claiming her for myself. Shitty, I know, but it was the only way I could get her attention, to finally notice me, seeing as all my previous advances had gotten me nowhere.
To protect Alexis, I had to put someone up in her place, and that’s where Monika came into play. It was an easy choice, seeing as I didn’t love or care about her, for that matter. It was a trade I was more than willing to make if it ensured Alexis would leave that hideout alive and with me. The only thing it wouldn’t guarantee was her condition, a small price to pay.
“So we are in agreement then? You give me Monika to use as I see fit, and in exchange, I will give you my word that Alexis will not be killed.” Adrian slid his hands into his pockets, his tone bored.
“Exactly that. I don’twant any harm to come to her.” I hesitated, unsure if this was what I truly wanted.
“I can’t promise she will remain unharmed, but alive is within my power.”
“What is it you need her for?” I questioned.
“That is none of your business. All you need to know is that once my plan succeeds, you can be her hero and take her home.” He reassured me.
“And Monika?” I added before agreeing to his plan.
“As far as you’re concerned, she no longer exists.” The sadistic grin on his face sent a shiver down my spine.
“Fine. Deal. Monika’s life for Alexis’s.” I held out my hand to accept the deal.
“Plant the roses, the letters, and make sure she knows nothing.” He added before taking my hand, his cold as ice.
I nodded before turning and leaving his office. I only hoped this would work and that I would get what I wanted by the end of it.
“What the fuck, Eli…” I muttered, running a hand through my hair as I stared out the sliding glass door into the night. It was a full moon tonight, and it shined through the door, lighting up most of the living room.
When Alexis admitted to killing Monika, I didn’t need to ask her why—I didn’t care. Her fuck you attitude towards me was all I needed to understand that she killed her without a hint of remorse and would do it all over again if given the chance.
It was a fucking turn-on to see her standing there, admitting to killing someone she thought was close to me and notgiving a shit about it. I wanted her right then and there; then Derek had to come along and fuck it all up for me.
That son of a bitch… I didn’t know the two of them even knew each other that well, but I guess after the CIA took care of Charlotte, it shouldn’t have surprised me that they would send someone to keep an eye on her. I didn’t expect it would have been him—the one part of my plan that ended in an oversight.
Derek fucking ruined everything, and to top it all off, that same goddamn day, he kicked me out of my apartment and fucked her in my bed. Way to rub salt into a fucking wound. I’m just glad I could get a couple of shots in on him while we were in the hideout. I used every second I had to beat the shit out of his ass for stealing Alexis from me. She was mine, fucking mine, and he stole her away from me.
Years.I spent goddamn years watching her date and fuck all the wrong men time and time again, and then, when I tried to make a move, all she did was shove me away. I’ll never understand what they all had that I didn’t, what Derek had… I would have worshiped her the way she deserved; I did worship her.
Seething at my thoughts, unable to calm myself down. I stood and punched a hole in the fresh drywall before leaving the apartment.Fuck all of this.
I headed down the stairwell to leave the apartment complex. The elevators weren’t operational; even if they were, I couldn’t make it obvious that I was hiding out here. Reaching the bottom of the stairs and opening the back door, I stepped outside. I needed to get something to eat, and even more so, I needed air toclear my head.
“How’s your jaw?” A familiar voice came from behind the open door.
“Oh fu—”
Derek’s fist came flying out of the corner of my eye, colliding with my jaw in the same spot as last time, right before I collapsed to the ground.
“You thought I was finished with you?” He chuckled darkly. “Not even fucking close. Where the fuck have you been, Eli? Gave us the slip back down in the hideout.” He raised a brow in question as he massaged his knuckles in a fist.
