Page 53 of Sinful Addiction
“Thank you for coming into the bathroom when you did.I don’t know—”
“Shh”— I rest my fingertip on her sultry lips—“we don’t need to talk about thewhat ifsbecause you’re here with me and with some rest, you’ll be alright.”
For a grown ass man who’s far from a saint, I’m finding this hard.I’m tiptoeing around the subject, hoping there’s a reasonable explanation and I didn’t just witness the love of my fucking life near drown in my bathtub.
“Listen to me, Antonio.Please.You need to hear what I have to say before I can’t.”Her innocent eyes, pleading voice and honesty are my undoing.
“I’m listening.”I kiss her crown then lay down on the bed, positioning us so she’s comfortable.
“I didn’t intend to stay underwater.Something came over me.A sense of calmness perhaps?After the way things ended with my parents, I welcomed it.I didn’t expect to drift off, or at least I think that’s what happened.Right before you pulled me out it was like I was dreaming, and it was beautiful.You were there, too, until you transformed into someone else.I know you know who Mr.Lewis is and what he’s capable of.I saw it in your eyes, felt you tense up and heard it in the iciness of your tone when you greeted him.”
Lacey physically shivers.
“I knew you’d figure it out, or at the least suspect something; you’re an intuitive man.When Dad was out of town working on his cases, Mom would drink a lot.She often drank so much she’d be comatose.Some of the nights when Dad wasn’t home, Mr.Lewis would come by to check on us.Mom always said Dad was looking after his girls, but she had no idea what was happening under her own roof.I remember the first time he came into my room.I was thirteen.It started off with a hug and a kiss goodnight, then it evolved into…more.I guess you can fill in the blanks from there.It only stopped when I went to boarding school then to California for college.
“I spent years thinking I deserved it, that he thought I was special or something.I never once spoke of it to anyone.He repeatedly warned me of how much trouble I would be in and of how much influence and power he held, that I’d be labeled a liar.”Her voice is hollow and damaged sounding.
“Your sister?”I ask cautiously.
“He never touched her.She was kept free from Hell all because our parents wanted her to marry Charleston.I know my sister fell for their trap.As you witnessed tonight, she’s very self-absorbed, so when Charleston paid her attention from a young age, she fell by his side immediately.Their relationship has nothing to do with her, it’s all a scam, but she won’t ever see that.I’ve tried telling her, that’s why she detests me so much.
“Anyway, I’ve spent my whole life under a microscope only to be ridiculed, tortured and made to feel worthless.My best escape was getting drunk with my friends and sneaking into bars until I met Ava.So can you now understand why I call on her so often?”she sobs.
I want to take every piece of negativity from her life and shove it down her abuser’s throat.Better yet, I want him to suffer ten thousand times the torture he inflicted on her.
“Promise me you won’t do anything drastic.I didn’t tell you so you could go out and play hitman.I told you because I don’t want us keeping secrets.This is a part of myself I entrusted you with so you’d understand.Not so you could take matters into your own hands.”
I don’t know if I can see reason.
“It’s a bit late for that.”I have some explaining of my own to do.If she wants honesty, I’ll give it to her and hopefully afterward she’ll forget about the worthless piece of scum and focus on healing.
“I put them to sleep for a little while…with my fists,” I admit.
“What do you mean,them?”she asks skeptically.
“I may have knocked your father out before givinghis honora taste of what he deserves,” I blurt like a child being reprimanded for the truth.
“Antonio!What is wrong with you?They’ll destroy you.Oh my god, you’re going to prison.”She’s on a tangent, rubbing her hand on her forehead, concerned about consequences.It’s kind of cute that she cares for my wellbeing this much.
“I’m not going to prison.I have enough dirt on them that they can’t and won’t touch me.”I trail my fingertips over her collarbone, drawing invisible pathways until I cradle her jaw in my palm.“I promise.”
I rest my forehead against hers, needing the connection, but not wanting to take things to the heated level I normally would.
There’s nothing more I want in this moment than to tell her the truth about my brother, the whole truth, in return for her brave admissions, but she’s already been through enough and it’s been mere hours since the doctor visited.
“You need to rest.”I yawn.
“No, you are not telling me what to do.I just told you my deepest, darkest and most destructive secret ever, and you come out withI may have knocked your father and whoever outlike it’s the most natural thing to do.Are you fucking serious with me right now?”
“Lacey,” I warn.
“No.Don’t tell me to calm down in yourLaceytone,” she mimics me.“He’s going to cut me from the family.I’ll lose everything.He’ll disown me for good.”She’s starting to hyperventilate.
“Babe, breathe.Everything will be okay.Move in with me.I’ll give you everything and more.”I manage to calm her breathing only to have her looking wide eyed at me.“I love you my little pixie.You’re mine, remember.Let me take care of you like you deserve to be cherished.You don’t need their wretched poison in your life.”I wait for a different reaction to the one she’s giving me.
“Lacey,” I warn again.
She jumps on top of me, straddling me with her legs while pushing me into the mattress.With speed and precision, she discards her shirt then claws at my underwear.