Page 19 of Sinful Addiction
Searching my favorite list once more I find her number and press call.It rings a dozen times before voicemail kicks in and I hear her alluring voice.“I can’t take your call right now.If it’s important, message me or call back later.”The piercing beep taunts me.I don’t make a sound as the voice message plays then cuts out on its own accord.
Do I want to call her voicemail again just to hear her voice?Yes.
Am I going to GPS track her to make sure she’s at home?Damn straight.
Am I a creeper?When it comes to my little pixie, hell yes.
She seems to forget I own her ass.
She’s mine and there’s no AA meeting encouraging enough for me to overcome this addiction.They say to get over compulsion you need to train your mind on something else.Alright, no one I know says that.I’m making shit up as I go, and it was working fine for me until this mess.
She thinks she can run, but she damn well can’t hide from me.
I find myself pulling into the hotel parking garage barely remembering the drive here.Credit to the adrenaline high and autopilot.
It doesn’t take long before Silas’ goons surround me on my way to his office to meet Xander.
As soon as I reach Xander I hand him the bag of money.
“You need to put the dog down.I’m sick of him thinking he owns the place.”I nod toward Silas where he sits in his office chair now with a bandaged nose.“I thought I broke your nose.Perhaps next time I’ll try harder because that bandage suits you,” I taunt Silas.Within seconds his gun is aimed at me and mine at him.His goons pull theirs, but I don’t care.If they shoot me Xander will have them all dead before my last heartbeat.
“Enough.Put your fucking egos away.Tony, thank you, but it’s time to leave.”Xander throws the bag I handed him at Silas making him fumble to catch it.
“I don’t know why you keep him around.All he does is cause you trouble,” I point out.
“Choose your words wisely.You know as well as anyone he’s damn good at his job.Now hurry the fuck up, we need to leave.You have fifteen minutes to pack your shit and meet me back downstairs.”
I’m in the car within ten minutes.There’s no way I’m missing this flight home.
“You upsetting Lacey has pissed me off, Antonio,” he says as soon as the car pulls away.
“I thought you disapproved of Lacey?”I’m mildly confused.
“That’s what everyone chooses to believe.But right now, she’s upset with you, which has upset Ava, and when Ava’s upset, I’m upset.Ergo, I’m pissed off with you.When we get back, Ava will no longer be cleaning up your love life.”
There’s nothing more to think about.What Xander wants he gets and right now I’m not going to argue.I think about the wordslove life.Do I love Lacey?
Mischievous thoughts bring a smile to my lips.
“I’ll be on my best behavior, boss.”
Nine
Lacey
I had one of my family’s drivers waiting for me as soon as we stepped off the foot of the plane.I don’t want to be near anything that reminds me of Antonio at present, including being in Ava’s home where I know he can show up at any time without warning.
The one problem with ordering a driver is that Dad thinks I’m suddenly coming to my ways.He’s called me three times every day since I arrived home while Mom is blowing up my phone with messages to attend a family dinner.Then there’s the gazillion missed calls and messages from he who can’t take a hint, and the worrying messages from Ava checking in on me every day for the past week.
I’m at my limit.
Seemingly lost for what to do, I redownload the dating app on my phone then sign in to see what activity there has been since it was deleted.What harm can come of it if it’s more of a distraction than anything.I’m not actually looking for anyone.
Antonio finally opened up to me like I wanted and I ran.It’s been a year and we haven’t put a label on our fucked-up relationship.Are we fuck buddies?Friends with benefits?No, not the last one.We’re definitely not friends.He infuriates me to no end, but the sex is the best I’ve ever had.
How am I supposed to move on from that?I’m struggling to find ways of getting over him when every thought has him in it.
What the hell am I supposed to do with my life now?Do I continue being the bratty younger child to piss my parents off?I sure as hell won’t give in on working for the family business.Do I lock myself away and live a life of a recluse by ordering online and missing my friends?Should I start my own business or get a job to pass the day by?