Page 57 of Sinful Addiction
It’s dawned on me that he knows more about me than I do him.He’s our resident stalker for fuck’s sake.He knew where my parents lived and who they were.
“What am I missing?”I’m now the one holding Ava with a vice grip, waiting for answers.
“You should ask him, hon.”She sheepishly takes her hands from mine.
“No, I want you to tell me.I think it’s the reason Xander hates me.”
“He doesn't hate you.He’s just–”
“Territorial.I get it.That’s all the more reason for you to tell me.”
She looks between me and her husband.He picks up on her uncertainty and comes over to us.
“What’s going on?”
Now is as good a time as any.“How are you and Antonio really connected?”
Antonio stands beside Xander, holding one of their infuriatingly annoying silent conversations.
“He’s my brother,” Xander says, like it’s common knowledge.
Now I understand why I’ve been on his shit list all this time.He’s loyal to Antonio first and foremost.
I don’t know what pisses me off more, Antonio failing to tell me, his silence or the fact it’s taken me this long to figure it out.
“Before Elizabeth died, she adopted me.She saw something in me, and I guess decided I needed saving.Xander became my brother, and I became a Lamont.This is my family–my life.I guess I should have told you sooner.”
They both act like it’s no big deal.
“That would have been nice.Are there any more surprises while we’re at it?How about explaining to me why you’d shoot your own family?”I aim that last question at Xander.
“He deserved it,” he declares assertively, no differently to Antonio’s answer.
I guess where some siblings throw words around, these two shoot bullets or throw knives.
I look around to see Ava’s gentle smile and relax.If she’s not concerned, then I know I have no need to be either.Once we’ve talked a bit longer and had enough of the men, we finally leave them and enjoy some quality woman time.Two best friends, or who knows, sisters in the making.
Twenty-Four
Antonio
“See, that right there is the reason you should lose your grudge over Lacey.She may be broken but she has a heart of gold.Lacey’s my family, just like I’m yours.Stop this petty bullshit and get over yourself.She’s not going anywhere,” I tell him.
“I never hated her, Tony.You two and yourbullshitannoyed me.I’ve told you this before.Moving forward, I want to know what you plan on doing with Reginald and Arthur.What damage control have I got on my ass, and what strings do I need to pull?I have an inkling this isn’t going to end well.”Xander is smart.
After the girls left Xander’s office, we remained to formulate a plan.Every threat to us needs a strategy on how we’ll deal with them and keep our women safe.Darius is my number one priority with him sending pictures to Lacey.Reginald is a close second, but I have no plans on pursuing Arthur at this point in time.He’s shit underneath my shoe.
“Have you got any new information on Darius?”I ask, seeing as I’ve been too preoccupied to do any myself.
“Actually, Camille has.She looked up the prison record system and saw he was released two months ago because all charges were dropped against him.Someone got him out.We need to find out who.”
Every muscle in my body tenses and heat rises until I can no longer conceal my rage.I grab the first thing within reach and throw it across the room.Luckily for Xander, the bottle is replaceable and the room soundproof.
“How can this be?I saw it with my own two eyes.He did it.He was holding the fucking knife.”I run my fingers through my cropped hair and tug at the ends.I’ll be lucky not to have bald patches by the end of the night.
I fill the room with almighty roars until I’ve exhausted myself.
“Camille found more.Your birth mother was found dead before Darius’ trial.She overdosed before the hearing.There was no one to take the stand as a witness to testify.He was processed in an adult court, which meant he was tried as an adult, not as a juvenile.Either someone has a personal interest in your family, or he met some powerful people inside,” Xander remarks.