Page 62 of Sinful Addiction
I’m going to need more than one glass and patience to get through this meeting.
Twenty-Six
Antonio
We drink half the bottle after I take my seat, before anyone speaks.To be frank, I don’t care for what he has to say.I’m making sure Lacey is unharmed as well as sparing Drake from whatever blackmail is threatened against him.
Until I can no longer take the silence that is.
“You wanted my attention, you’ve got it.What’s so important you need to lure me here?”I command.
“You’ve changed, little brother.You’ve grown a backbone.It seems your enemy list has grown as well,” he says, playing his old tricks.
“Get to the fucking point, Darius.”I pour another glass and let the smoothness wash away the lump in my throat.
“Very well.It appears we have a mutual interest in our family.What’s causing the obsession is beyond me, but he was very attracted to my case after finding out I was your brother.He made a little deal with me, you know.My freedom in return for making you disappear.It didn’t make sense to me why this man wanted revenge on you so badly, so I did a little digging of my own to shed some light on the situation.After all, if I was going to follow through without an explanation, a little insight would be nice.”He pauses while refilling our glasses.
I know after spending as long as he did in prison, he’ll have connections of his own.There’s no way he doesn’t know about my lifestyle and who I work for, more specifically my after dark extracurricular profession.
“There are people on the outside who looked after me while I was locked away in that hellhole.People who know all about you and your boss.My little brother has been very busy over the years,” he teases.“I thought why the fuck not humor the son of a bitch, but now he’s becoming a pest that needs removing.He’s threatening to revoke my freedom if I don’t deliver you on a gold fucking platter,” he scoffs.“Whatever earned him that shiner you gave him has stirred more trouble.If I don’t finish the job, he’ll have someone else do it.”
His stare is hard as we lock eyes.It’s the first time in years I see something other than hate in them and it unsettles me.
I’m like a crazed bull.The longer I keep myself caged the more unpredictable I become.
“Which one?”There’s enough meaning that he’ll understand what I need to hear.
He doesn’t hesitate.
“Reginald Lewis.”
“Fuck…” I shove the chair back as I stand to my feet.Gun still in one hand, I scrub the other over my stubbled jaw and let that new information sink in.What the fuck does he want with…
“The fucking psychopath want’s Lacey,” I exclaim.
Darius looks to me like I’ve lost my head.
“He wants me gone so he can have Lacey all to himself.It all makes sense.He’s been manipulating us all to get his hands on her and have you do his bidding to throw me off his scent.”
Unconcerned about this new revelation, Darius remains seated sipping on his drink, waiting for me to elaborate.
“Our judge hasn’t got a very honorable past.”I start telling Darius the pieces he may have missed out.“I know him because he is—was—a member at Envy.His reputation within those walls is disreputable.At a guess, he initiated your release as it was deemed necessary in order to get his revenge on me.”
He’s wanted me dead for a long time it seems.
“I recently came into some new information about his vulgar acts against young girls and may have confronted him.Answer me this.Did you send Lacey any letters or messages?Did you blackmail her in any way?”I’m hoping like hell he says no.If it wasn’t Darius, then I need to put this other mangy dog to sleep once and for all.
“I’m sorry, Tony, but why would I do that when I was able to get you both here with nothing more than words from your owner friend?It wasn’t me, I’m afraid,” he empathizes.
“I’m going to kill that asshole the same way he made her suffer.He’s going to wish he left you locked away too because as of now you won’t be following through with your deal.You’ll be helping me!”I demand.
“Tut-tut.And why would I do that?Don’t forget about that pretty little blond downstairs.I’d hate for her to end up in the wrong hands due to your selfishness,” he says, marked with bitterness.
“My selfishness is what’s keepingyoualive.Right now, I have more than enough men watching this restaurant knowing you’re here.One move from me and it’s over for you.I haven’t yet decided if I turn you in again, give you a second chance or…kill you.Your plan isn’t ironclad.How does your lady know you’re not dead already?I could go into the bathroom, and she’d never know until I told her, or she found you.You see,big brother,I have grown up and I’m unforgiving.You will help me, it’s the least you can do for your sins,” I bite back.
I recognize the war he’s fighting within; it’s the same kind I’ve battled my whole life.
“I didn’t kill her,” he shouts.“I would have never hurt her…ever!”His breathing is heavy as his face turns scarlet.“But I did kill our father.”He shows no remorse.The shadows hidden in his features show no regrets.They mirror the killer I’ve become.But when he brings up the one person I don’t wish to speak of out of respect for her lost soul, I throw my glass across the room, smashing it against the wall behind Darius.