Page 58 of Sinful Addiction

“Fuck!”I thought I was prepared for the day he got out, if that day came, but I’m not and that’s clear.I never kept tabs on my birth Mom after she disowned me, only where Leona was buried and what Elizabeth—my adoptive Mom— told me what I needed to know of the trial.

“I’ll help you as much as I can, you know this, but by my guess if he wants you to find him, he’ll be the one finding you.I’ve never come across anyone who’s gone ghost like this,” he states matter of fact.“We need to be pragmatic.We know he’s out, but how do we know he’s the one sending photos?Were there any messages with them?”he asks.

“No, there was no writing other than Lacey’s name on the envelope, but it can only be him.He’s got a sick and twisted mind and would thrive by doing something like this to me after what I’d done.I’ll have a dig and see what I can find.Maybe I can draw him out.If he wants me, he has to come out of hiding.It’s time to show Darius his younger brother’s all grown up,” I say assertively.

“I’m going to take Lacey home and get to work.She’ll be too busy unpacking to worry about my absence.I’ll let you know what I find.”

I leave Xander to mull over my mess.He doesn’t need us as a distraction while he’s lost in his head.

I find Lacey in the kitchen with a cup of tea nursed in her palms and a bright smile on her face.I love this look about her.

“Sorry, boss lady, I’m taking Lacey home,” I say quirking my mouth.

The girls both look up from their drinks and neither argue.They get up to say their goodbyes and somehow effortlessly we leave à la castle Lamont.

It’s surreal having my baggage out in the open and somewhat freeing.Divulging my past brings me a new sense of hope for us, and I believe she’ll further understand why I am who I am.

Yes, it’s true Xander’s father hated me, but he saw me as an asset to the family, business first.Whatever Xander learnt, it was passed down to me.I never wanted power, so the logistics of hierarchy were never a problem.For that reason, also, we chose to keep my ties with the family a secret.Anyone who matters knows I’m a Lamont.To all others, I’m a Cromwell.

We’re almost home when Lacey starts asking more questions.

“How do you know Dad and Mr.Lewis?”Her voice is shy, almost a whisper.

I chance a glance at her before focusing on the road ahead.I need to word this right.If I tell her I know either of them because they’ve been in the same rooms as she has, it’ll cement her decision to walk away forever.

“I know them purely by reputation.Your father more so because of the background check Xander made me do on you.”

“So, that’s how you knew?”She’s referring to her past.

“I can read you like an open book.You don’t cover your reactions or emotions very well, and he was very fond of you.When I witnessed your body language change, I became aware that something was off.You weren’t like that at the start of the evening, only when I caught you upstairs.Then again when we joined everyone downstairs.I knew then something had happened, and he was involved.He’s got a reputation for being rough with women, but I never expected it to stem to raping young girls.That’s when I decided his time is running out.”I hate bringing the topic up knowing it makes Lacey uncomfortable, but she wanted me to open up, so I’m honoring her wish.

“What will happen to him?”There’s hollowness in her voice.She’s distant and shutting herself off again.I need this conversation to end if I’m to keep her out of the darkness that threatens to swallow her.

“He’ll get what’s coming to him.But as far as you’re concerned, you’ll never have to see him again.He’ll never have the chance to hurt another soul.”That’s the truth.

I park the car in the garage, then we take the elevator to my penthouse suit that was remodeled to be my home.As soon as we step foot into the foyer, Lacey’s whole mood changes when she sees her belongings have arrived.She looks up to me with cute as fuck battering eyelashes.Clenching my fists is all I can do not to take her right here, right now.

“Go and unpack.Make yourself at home.”I lean down just enough to kiss her teasing lips.“I have work to do.I’ll be in my office if you need me,” I tell her, already retreating.

Shaking my head in amusement, I weave throughout the boxes and portable dress hangers that now fill my house.I was wrong in saying she’d need an architect.We’re going to need a bigger house!

I finally maneuver my way into my office that’s been left unscathed.Flipping my laptop lid open, I start my search for the man that has no business coming back into my life.

I start with the information Camille emailed.She’s good at what she does, but so am I.I start with a basic search in case there was something I missed.I look through every link that pops up when I type in any of my family members' names.Articles on the arrest, the trial, and Mom’s death all pop up.The further I go, the messier it becomes until I find an article I’ve not seen before.

Darius Cromwell was wrongfully convicted in Pittsburgh for the murder of his younger sister and later, charges for his father’s death were dismissed as self-defense.He spent 26 years in prison before being released.

It’s dating back four weeks.The press is all over this shit and as I read on, they mention my fucking name!

I click out of that window and bring up a new one.It’s time to go dark.Here I can find any information possible.There’s always a trail left behind or a loophole somewhere.I start with Darius’ name in hopes of finding something we’ve all missed.There has to be a name or an address, a photo or sighting from a security camera.Something or someone has to give him up.

“How’s the search going?”the deep, grumbly voice from the doorway asks.I almost jump out of my chair with the unexpected guest’s arrival.

“Knock next time, fucker,” I sneer at Knox.“I’m no closer than when I started.The only scenarios I can think of is he either had someone on the inside helping him, or he’s caught up with some very smart people to have the opportunity to ghost us like this,” I answer, recapping the conversation I had earlier with Xander.

“Why don’t you look from a different angle.Search for cases that have recently been dismissed.Maybe whoever tried hiding these records also used your brother’s name to hide them.It’s just a thought.Sometimes people get complacent and mess up.Otherwise think of similar ways to find him, birthdays, family members, dates with no explanation, the prosecutor.All those things could help you find a lead,” he offers.

“I should have you in here doing this.How’s Lacey doing out there?”I ask, changing the subject.

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