The moment I saw Lexi, I knew I was in deep. She hadn't told me the truth about where she had been Saturday night, but I do know what I saw. I couldn't have seen anything wrong. Not unless someone had posed as her to get back at me. I don't know how when no one barely knows we knew each other. If not for Brad, I would have been married to Lexi. Not Luca. Not everyone will love you.
I really couldn't believe she was a spy. How had I not known? Luca was a spy. Why couldn't she? And her sudden disappearances at night? I was so clueless.
I shuffled back into the lobby, not surprised by the number of reporters trying to force their way in. I immediately turned back around, not caring about their cries. Not caring if they wrote a terrible article about me going to the company, because I needed a break. Many of them knew where I worked as a policeman and I was lucky enough to have them keep that a secret.
I got back into the elevator, relieved to find Dawn there too. She was riding the elevator back up to give Lexi a cup of water. She explained that Lexi had been feeling a little under the weather. I had to stop myself from asking how she was, because I sort of knew how she was feeling. After our little talk, she seemed to look sick enough to pass out. If she did, then I would care.
"What took you so long?" She asked.
"Just checking out the place." I sighed. "It's bigger than I remember. Her office is too protected, but I don't think she'd hide the drive there."
"Of course not." Dawn handed the water to me and began scrolling through her tablet. "I do remember her coming here that night before leaving again. She stayed for thirty minutes or so, then left. I thought maybe she was just checking in on something, but the tech team said she went there to have them delete the footage of her coming here."
Typical. Smart. Lexi was definitely smarter than I thought as an agent. One could say she was invisible sometimes. True. She did happen to outsmart the media and walk around town like a normal human being. I once heard she was taking a morning run and the media didn't recognize her in her attire.
"Follow me. They're in a meeting right now, but it should be ending soon," She said.
"Really?" I asked. "I thought it would last a little longer," I muttered. "Is there any way you could make her end it early?"
"Yes. I was going to drop something in her drink. Nothing too strong, but it would make her lose consciousness for a moment or two."
"Good. I'll be waiting for that. Have your mic on."
"I will. Make sure you have the techs delete this elevator footage. No telling what Mr. Thompson will try to look for later."
"I will do that...now," I said as I texted our tech team. "Alright. Do your thing, Dawn."
She smiled and walked out the elevator. I pressed the button for the next floor, throwing anyone off our trial. No telling who was willing to throw us under the bus. No matter. I'd kill anyone who dared to betray me. I've done it before and I'm never afraid to do it again.
I ended up in the hall with the other therapy offices. I looked in almost each room and found about two or three of them empty. I chose one and positioned myself by the door. Whoever came in next had it coming. I don't know if it was a coincidence or just pure luck, but the door did open. It wasn't who I was expecting it to be either.
"You're here...again," She said. "What do you want?"
"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot the last time we talked, but I'm only here on a mission," I explained.
"Mission? With who? Adrien?"
"Cameron."
"...Cameron. I guess he decided to leave us all behind in New York to fend for ourselves, huh?"
"Fae, it's not that. We all moved and I thought he told you to come."
Fae laughed and shook her head. I watched as she walked to her desk and sat down. She was a changed woman. If I had known that Cameron never asked her to come back, I would have gone back for her on my own. I just assumed that she knew we all left to follow Cameron and decided not to mess with the Agency anymore. That's what I would have done if Kat hadn't convinced me to go.
"Look, I know it's not the best time to be going back into the past, but I am truly sorry," I pleaded. "Can't you just tell me why you didn't say anything when you moved back?"
"You didn't bother calling or asking about where I was," She snapped. "Why would I waste my time trying to figure out if anyone ever needed me?"
"I only assumed you didn't want to be part of the team anymore."
"I've done more than enough for the team and you assumed I didn't want anything to do to any of you anymore? I knew you didn't care, Asher."
"I cared. I really did, but you were acting kind of funny before everything happened.
Fae sighed and crossed her arms. I looked at my watch and back at the door. If I didn't leave now, I would be late for Dawn's signal. Before I could stop myself, I walked over to her and thrust my phone at her.
"What?" She snapped.
"Give me your number. We have much to catch up on," I said.
She looked at me silently before taking my phone. She quickly put her number in, but I was smarter than that. I called it and was surprised to find her phone ringing. Fae sucked her teeth and declined the call. I only smiled. I had to make sure she was messing around with me. After giving her one last nod, I left the room to nearly collide with Lexi. She had a weird look on her face. When she saw me, she rushed away.
Wait. Did Dawn do what she was supposed to do? Why hadn't I heard anything? My mic was on. I followed Lexi down the hall and was almost immediately blocked by her guards. That was fast. Maybe I should have grabbed her when I had the chance.
I finally ran after her only to be stopped by security at least five feet from her. Lexi turned around and I was surprised to find a sneer on her face. What was so bad about seeing me? I tried to warn her earlier, but she just didn't get it. None of this is my fault.
"Lexi, I don't want to chase after you. I also don't want you to get hurt," I warned. "Where did you put it? If you have it, give it to me now and everything will go back to normal?"
"What if I don't want to?" She asked. "What's so special about this...thing?"
Smart. She knew not to say what she was talking about, but everyone already knew. Not unless they were working under her. Or if they were Adrien. Everyone knew he hardly cared about his employees' wellbeing.
"Lexi, if I have to kill all of these men here, I will. Just so you know, if I get over there, I will force you to tell me where you hid the drive."
That threat had nothing on her. Lexi crossed her arms and that seemed to signal more security. I wasn't scared, because I knew I could take them all. I heard footsteps coming from behind me. I turned to find Kathryn and Cameron with some of their spies behind them. I swear I saw Dawn running with them, but leaving to go into another room.
"Lexi," Cameron called out. "You can't run forever. Sometimes you have to give up when you know you're defeated."
"Defeat comes to the weak. I am nothing but weak," Lexi snarled.
Ugh. Stupid life quotes.
"Everything you've done up until now has caught up to you. Maybe you should give up before you're mopping up the blood of your guards." I crossed my arms.
"I couldn't count on you catching me."
I did catch her. Lexi had turned and fled the scene in hopes of gaining herself more time. I wasn't going to fall for that. After teaching the guards a quick lesson, I ran after her. If she were smart enough, this floor should have been carpeted or something. I could hear the clicking of her heels and know where she had gone. Just as she was about to enter the staircase, I grabbed her arm and tugged her to me.
"Let me go," Lexi growled and tried to elbow me. Not today. "I'll murder you."
"To do that, you'd have to escape me," I reminded her. "Tell me where it is or I'll shove you down the stairs. How do you like that?"
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"...I'm only doing my job, Lexi."
I turned her around and looked her in the eyes.
"Lexi, I'm not trying to get you hurt or hurt you. That drive has things on it that even God can use against us if he wanted to. Just tell me where it is."
"Asher, you're not going to convince me to give it to you."
"Why not?"
"Because...if your future depends on it, I know you'll keep chasing me for it," She said. "Having a secret of yours is something I want to find out."
"You don't make any sense."
This was frustrating. All she had to do was give it up and I'd pretend she didn't do anything wrong. It was as simple as that. She's lucky I wasn't the type of guy to beat a woman. If so, she wouldn't have gotten away from me in France. I don't think her parents would have died.
The fighting could be heard down the hall. I felt like someone was going to come any minute now. I needed to make my authority clear to Lexi before I let her go. I pulled her closer to me, knowing she was still affected by me. After years of putting up with Luca's constant watching and threats, I was going to make it known that I was never afraid of him.
"I'm going to get what I want," I said. "If that means I have to make you weak, I will."
"How?" She asked.
I kissed her and pulled away almost immediately.
"Like that."
"Lexi." A voice floated from around the corner. "I know you're around here somewhere."
It was Cameron.
"Lexi," I hissed. "Take off your shoes and run. I'll distract him."
"...Really?" She whispered.
"No. Now go."
Lexi didn't have to be told twice. The last I saw of her that day was her black hair flying around the corner. Once she was out of sight for a moment, Cameron and Kathryn came around the corner. They both sported a couple of bruises. Wasn't too serious, but I knew they would take more than a few hours to go down.
"Where'd she go?" Cameron demanded.
I had a quick debate in my mind on what to tell him. I could tell him she disappeared when I ran after her. I could say she went down the staircase. Neither of those choices came from my mouth. I did like any loyal cousin would do and what I told Lexi I would do.
"She went around the corner," I said. "Better catch her before Luca finds her."