Page 38 of Sinful Addiction

Seventeen

Lacey

After Antonio left, I had a shower and now I'm lounging outside enjoying the sun when someone knocks on my door.Plucking my phone off the side table, I check the clock making sure I haven’t lost track of time.Seeing as it’s only midafternoon, I’m not expecting Antonio until later.

“Be right there,” I yell, quickly sliding my coverup over my head and rush to the door eager to see who it is.Anticipation sends flutters low in my belly hoping Antonio has come by earlier than he stated.I eagerly look through the little peephole to see the foyer vacant.

“What the hell?”I ask myself as I unlock the door.The foyer is completely empty.“Hello?”I yell, making my voice travel.“This better not be a prank.I’ll kick your ass if it is.”I’m determined this is a joke, but the longer I stand here yelling into the empty space, the more I realize no one is here other than me.

I’m about to go back inside when my foot slides along the floor, almost landing me on my ass.Grabbing hold of the door frame for balance, I look down to see what it was I slipped on.Laying camouflaged on top of the white tiles is an envelope with my name printed on it.

An ear-piercing ding echoes throughout my apartment at the exact moment I bend down to take the envelope.The silliness of this situation makes me jump, which in turn makes me move faster to grab the envelope and shut the door with me back inside my apartment.All I can think of are lurking killer clowns and axe murderers.

Shaking away from the stupidity, I study the envelope properly.I can no longer resist as curiosity gets the better of me, so I pick at the opening.Once peeled free, I pull out a piece of folded paper, careful not to let the contents inside fall to the floor.

As soon as the last rectangle uncovers what’s hidden, all blood drains from my body.I’m frozen on the spot, a gasp of air being my only reaction.

I close my eyes and use breathing techniques to gain control.

In my shaking hands are photos of me, or me with Antonio.More specifically, three photos are of me and Antonio in very compromising positions in secluded areas.The others are candid shots of me alone.But they’re not all recent.Some are from over eight months ago when we went through our phase of having hate sex after coming back from California.There’s one in particular of me at Magnitude only last night, leaning against the bar, smiling at the barman.Another one of us leaving Envy via the back exit.

I don’t know who would do this, or why?Is someone out to destroy me, or is this because of Antonio?

Thoughts scramble my brain.I can’t come up with a rational explanation as I examine each photo in detail.Then I reach for the piece of paper they were tucked inside of.I hastily inspect it to see if there’s anything written, but it’s blank.

“What the actual fuck is happening?”I speak as though someone is here to answer my own questions for me.

Anxiously, I check the envelope, paper, and photos over again.There is no note, message, or any written scrawl on any of them aside from my name on the envelope.

I quickly walk outside and dump myself onto the lounger.Scrambling to get my phone, I drop half of the photos in the process.In my attempts to calm my nerves and act rationally, I close my eyes again and take several deep breaths.Once calm enough to think semi-rationally, I decide to call the one person who is always there for me.

Ava.

I type in the passcode and find her name at the top of my favorites list.The call rings through three times before Ava’s sweet voice turns to alarm as I rush my words over her greeting, and real panic settles deep within my bones.

“Someone has photos of me.They left them at my door.I don’t know what they want or who sent them.Ava, I’m freaking out.I can’t go to my parents about them.They can’t see them.I don’t know who to trust.Oh my god, what if they get leaked to a journalist or get plastered over social media?Ava, you have to help me.What do I do?”By the time I’ve finished my panicked rant, I’m having trouble breathing.I feel like I’m drowning the way I’m gulping for air.

I bring my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them.Rocking back and forth, I repeat,this can’t be happening, until Ava’s voice breaks the cycle.

“Lacey?What on earth are you talking about?You need to start from the beginning and slow it down.”She waits for me to repeat myself, but all I can do is focus on the fact these photos are just as bad as having a sex tape.

“Lacey?”I hear her worry but can’t answer her.“Lacey?”She’s shouting into the phone now.“Lacey Montgomery, get your act together and talk to me, dammit!”Her breath is heavy, yet winded like she’s running as she continues to yell at me through the phone line.

Rapidly, my heart thumps in my chest.I’m having hot flashes, which aren’t caused by being outside in mid-range temperatures.My skin tingles as sweat beads on its surface.All these symptoms amplify my senses to unbearable heights.I’m glad I’m already sitting down, otherwise I swear I’d have collapsed by now as my body continuously trembles.

As much as I want to answer Ava, I can’t.I can’t stop thinking about what these photos mean and the repercussions they’ll have on my life, and with my family.

I can still hear Ava’s voice on speaker, though it’s muffled now like she’s speaking to someone else.

When I hear another strong, familiar voice take over the call, my heart sinks and tears fall.

“Lacey, I’m coming to you.When you hear me at the door you need to let me in, alright?I’m going to hand the phone back to Ava and she’s going to stay on the line with you until I’m there.”I want to answer, but still, my voice has been swallowed by dread.

“I’m coming with you, Tony.She needs me.I…” I hear Ava and Antonio in the background fighting over who is coming and who stays behind.Not once does Xander voice his opinion because I know he’s there, and I’m convinced more than ever that he really is a soulless asshole.

“No.Whatever it is, we’ll work it out together.For once let me go to her and make things right.”He’s not a man to plead but right now he’s damn committed to getting what he wants—me.

“Tony, she’s never been this scared before.I’m coming with you, end of story.Don’t make me use violence against you.”Her words mix with Antonio’s as their muffled voices now fight for the final say.