Page 66 of Sinful Addiction
“I’ll do it.”It's not a matter of if, but what he needs me to do.
“You have to stay here for your safety.I don’t trust Darius, but we need him.He wasn’t the one sending you notes or messages.Reginald is.”
I gasp at the openness of his admission.I wasn’t prepared for any of this.I think I might be sick.
I scramble from the bed, covering my mouth in hopes I make it to the ensuite in time.Luckily for me I do as the contents from my stomach violently passes.This whole time I thought I was safe from his grasp, yet he’s been stalking me.Another wave hits and I dry retch into the porcelain bowl.
“Baby, are you alright?”Antonio asks, filled with concern.
Shaking my head, no, I let the darkness wash over me.I close off from the outside world with only one thought in mind.Kill the violating bastard myself.
Antonio mistakes my change of character for shock, and that’s exactly how I play it out.If he catches on to my idea, he’ll never let me leave his side.Or better yet, Xander will have me locked away like he did Ava.Fuck that.
After washing myself up and letting Antonio tuck me into bed, I close my eyes and formulate the perfect plan that not even our war veterans, Vince or Knox, will see coming.
I’m laughing with Ava in the living room when Camille comes in.I haven’t seen her much lately, maybe because she no longer has to watch over Xander now that Ava’s here.Whatever the reason, we invite her to sit down with us.
“I was just showing Lacey the camera system.She’s staying with us for a little while.”Ava’s more than excited about this situation.Although I do admit I’m loving spending more time with her.I’ve missed being close to her.
“How are they holding up?I heard there was an issue with one of them,” she asks Ava.
“Yeah, one of them keeps turning itself off.I can’t remember which unless I look through them all.Xander’s getting it replaced, so I’m not worried.Anyway, how have you been, Camille?It’s been a while since you stopped by.”She beams.
“I came by to see if Xander was here.Me and Vince haven’t had much luck with free time with all his work, so I was hoping to talk with Xander and get him some time off.”Camille looks knowingly at Ava.
“Well, I’m sure he can.I don’t need him for the next little while now that Lacey’s here and I won’t be leaving the house much,” she says with a hint of guilt.
“Is everything alright?Can I help with anything?Who do you need me to find?”She becomes serious.After we found out about her super impressive computer skills, she’s been working for Xander and Antonio on certain cases.“If you need an ex taken care of, I will help without the boys knowing,” she whispers sneakily.
We all laugh at her absurdity.Although, it has me thinking.“Actually, there is someone I want you to find for me,” I state.
“Lacey…” Ava’s voice rings out.“I know that look.Camille, I forbid it.She’s going to get herself in trouble.And not the good kind,” she adds.
Camille looks at me with questioning eyes.
I shake my head no.The less we say in front of Ava the better.
“Lacey, can I have a word with you, dear?”she asks as she gets up to move from the room.
“Use the ensuite, your bedroom isn’t bugged,” Ava greatly informs us.
“Just great,” I mutter.
Camille laughs.“I see he hasn’t lost his touch.”Then walks toward my temporary room.
“What’s so important we have to speak in here?”I ask.
“Listen.Whatever you plan on doing.Don’t.I know what those men are planning and none of us want you involved.You’re here for a reason, and that’s to stay alive.Tony already has his doubts about working with his brother, but it’s the only way for them to make Reginald believe he’s won.If you get involved, it’ll spoil their whole operation and you or Tony will end up dead.He’s keeping information from you so he doesn’t lose you like he did his sister.Leona was the only person in his life, until Xander, that mattered.Now that person is you.I’m saying this as a friend, Lacey.Stay out of it.”Camille’s hushed voice becomes strained as she warns me off whatever plans I have.
“I understand you’re looking out for me, but you don’t get to decide what’s right for me.I have every right to want that man dead after what he did to me, Camille.I want to make him suffer like he did me,” I cry.I don’t care if anyone can hear beyond these walls.I’m done.“I’ve had enough of being the victim.I want to be the villain now.I want to end his life for what he put me through.”Tears stream down my face, and further down my neck.
Camille’s strong arms wrap around my shuddering body.“Shh.You’ll get your chance.Just don’t do anything reckless is all I’m saying,” she restates.
I welcome her embrace as I fall apart.
“Talk to him.Tell Tony what you’re thinking.Communication works both ways, hon.”
“What if he doesn’t want to hear it?”I ask.