Page 52 of Sinful Addiction

“Lacey?”Antonio’s panicked voice is distant, but I can hear him.

“Lacey, baby?Breathe for me.”His voice is closer.

I take one big gulp of air and become mindful of my surroundings.Antonio has me in the recovery position on the floor, covered in towels while he’s on his knees next to my head.There’s dreaded panic in his voice, too.I can hear it.

“Antonio… what happened?”My voice is raspy, but I manage those few words.

“Oh, thank god.Doc’s on his way to check you out.It’ll be okay, baby.I promise.I won’t let anyone harm you again,” he sobs into my mop of wet hair.

“Bell’uomo, don’t be upset.”I try to reassure him that I’ll be okay, however, he doesn’t hear me and continues to clutch my body to his as if he’s already lost me.

“Antonio,” I rasp with all the energy I can muster.

“Lacey?”My whole body is now cradled into his, both of us still in a wet puddle on the floor.

I look up into his broken eyes.“I’m here,” I say quietly.

Too weak, my eyes close after fighting the odds of falling asleep.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again.What were you thinking?I almost lost you, too.”

Clearly, I wasn’t.

And lost me, too?

His sister.

Moments pass of me gathering my strength.

“I’m sorry.I don’t know what happened.One moment I put my head under to help me relax, then the next I was being pulled out by you.I must have stayed under for too long.I didn’t mean for this to happen.I’m so sorry.”Tears are falling freely down my face, the warmth of them a stark contrast to my shivering body.

“Come, you’re trembling.Let’s get you wrapped up in something warm and tucked up in bed until you’re checked over,” he says while he effortlessly picks me up and carries me to his bed.

I’ve never been this fatigued before.All I want to do is sleep.

It takes the doctor's arrival for us to stop fussing over the other.I didn’t realize when Antonio mentioned Doc, he meant Xander’s in house doctor.I do as I’m told as he checks me over, then I’m given all the necessary information on submersion injuries, check-up details and told to dial 911 immediately if new symptoms arise.

“You need to rest, Lacey, but no sleep for a few hours, just to be on the safe side,” Dr.Roberts orders.

“I’ll make sure she listens.Thanks for coming, Doc.I appreciate it,” Antonio says as they wrap things up.

With me now on bedrest and Antonio hesitant to leave my side, I snuggle into him and prepare for the questions to come.

In what way do I explain that I was abused as a young girl to a man who’s going to seek my revenge?There’s only one way to find out.

I start from the beginning.

Twenty-Two

Antonio

Never in my lifetime did I expect to share my love with someone again.Until tonight, I underestimated the connection me and Lacey share.It goes beyond roses and heart shaped chocolates.It’s implanted in my bone marrow.The moment I witnessed Lacey run from her parent’s house, the place that’s supposed to be herhome, something in me snapped.I not only saw red, but the black haze I kept on lockdown consumed me.I gave both her father and the man that has been sickeningly taking advantage of Lacey a reminder of what I’m capable of.Of all people, Arthur didn’t see it coming.Reginald on the other hand, he’ll have more than a sore skull when he and Arthur both regain consciousness.

As for me, they’re the least of my worries.

The moment I entered the bathroom to find Lacey submerged sent unbridled panic down my spine.The first thing I did was pull her out and place her in the recovery position so she could cough every last drop of water from her lungs.At that moment I couldn’t let her go.I was frozen in fear and still am as her fragile frame cuddles into my side with her head resting on my chest.I’m waiting for the inevitable talk, but I can’t ask for an explanation.Not now.

Lacey shifts beside me, angling her head so she can better see me.

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