Page 55 of Asphyxia
“Fuck if I know.” Drake shrugged like he genuinely didn’t give a shit. “From what I remember, she was wrapped so tightly around Dean it was almost as if they were a thing.” He leveled me with a suspicious look as if I didn’t already know they were fucking together.
“Our relationship is none of your damn business.” I hissed before stepping past him and heading straight toward the exit.
“I don’t know what the fuckyou guys are smoking at the CIA, but you and your buddies need to watch your backs when it comes to those women. Madison in particular.”
I stopped dead in my tracks as her name filtered through my ears.
“Why is that?” I asked, not looking back at him but curious to hear what he had to say.
“I know you heard what went on down there. How deeply involved she was with Adrian and the kind of creature he is.” Drake’s voice hardened. “Madison was groomed to fit everything Adrian wanted in an Empress of his world. She may seem sweet and innocent from the outside, with minor bumps and bruises, but underneath it all, that woman alone could level an entire building and wouldn’t even bat an eye.”
I didn’t move from where I stood, letting his words sink under my skin as he continued speaking. How the fuck does he know all of this?
“By all means, don’t let me stop you from having a good time, but I’m putting it out there now. Those harpies don’t play the whole ‘fuck around and find out’ game. They get straight to the point, asking questions long after the fact—if they even ask at all.”
I prayed to god that he was wrong and exaggerating the facts.
It was too late for me to turn away now.
I loved Madison and would do whatever it took to stay with her, even if it meant twisting my good-boy morality into something fardarker.
PullinguptotheAlpha-Six headquarters, I noticed Drake lazily standing outside, casually resting against the building with his arms and ankles crossed.
He wore the typical moss green SWAT uniform, bulletproof vest, and tactical belt his team was known for. The division logo was patched onto his upper sleeve and the front of the vest, right below his last name.
I never responded to his texts, so he either knew I would show up regardless, or he was waiting outside for an entirely different reason.
I parked my car between the two covered meters before meeting Drake, who stood just outside the main entrance.
As I approached him, he remained firmly planted against the red brick wall, comfortable with his current position and apparently not giving two shits that I had even shown up.
“Well, you have my attention, Drake.” I stopped next to him, shoving my hands into my pockets as I awaited to hear the reason for his summoning.
“I need a favor from you.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair and dragging it down the nape of his neck as he stared mindlessly at the pavement.
“Yeah, I got that from your texts.”
“Don’t give me that snarky attitude of yours, or I’ll change my mind.”
“You haven’t even told me what the favor is. How would I know if I’m even interested in the first place?” I huffed with a sarcasticlaugh as I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes, accessing him.
The ball was totally in my court with this proposition.
Drake rubbed the back of his neck before dropping the hand to his side and lifting his eyes to meet mine.
“Look… This isn’t a decision I’m making lightly. There are several team members who I could ask instead—”
“So ask them? Why jump down the list directly to me if they’re more worthy of this request—”
“Because I see the potential in you.” Drake lashed out, interrupting me as I had done to him.
That was rich, coming from him. The man who continued to call me a kid whenever I was in his presence.
If he genuinely saw potential in me, he failed numerous times to show it.
“You don’t even fucking know me—”
“Iwasyou, kid… Back before all of this, I was just like you.” Drake waved his arms out wide, his tone hard with frustration. “Young, reckless, and unable to give a fuck unless it benefited me in the end.” I don’t know where this sudden change in demeanor came from, but he was now sounding pissed off more than anything.
