Sinful Addiction: The Lamont Series, #2

By Cole J. Powell

I was not always this way—a man feeding his demons with addictions, a monster driven by bloodlust. I had a family once, but I chose one above all others to protect from the animals we lived with, and even then, I failed.

 

Whispers on the street say I'm psychotic, but everyone knows I'm a calculated killer.

 

Then there's Lacey. The one woman who keeps my demons at bay. She became my new addiction the moment she walked into my life. With threats from my past returning, I need to stop the same fate from happening to her.

 

I will not fail to protect what is important to me yet again.

 

*This book is intended for ages 18+

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cole J. Powell
• Release date: Dec 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9780473687472

Cole J. Powell

Cole J. Powell is a New Zealand author who writes fierce heroines and cutthroat alphas. She loves writing books with suspenseful plots and twisted storylines; sometimes those sweet and heartfelt stories sneak in too. She thanks you sincerely for taking the time to read and review her work.

Book preview

AUTHOR NOTE

This book is intended for ages 18 and over. It contains triggering topics and graphic content of differing levels that may offend some people, such as: coarse language, assault and abuse of minors, drugs, sex scenes, violence, and abduction. This book is considered dark romance due to these topics. Please do not continue if this bothers you.

Note: This book ends on a cliffhanger.

CONTENTS

Author Note

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Twenty-One

Twenty-Two

Twenty-Three

Twenty-Four

Twenty-Five

Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven

Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Nine

Thirty

Thirty-One

Also By Cole J. Powell

About The Author

Let’s Stay Connected

DEDICATION

This duet is for Cappy,

Your encouragement drives me to keep writing.

Let’s never grow up!

One

Antonio

I’ve been transfixed on Lacey for months. Something about California changed everything. It changed us, and I'll never admit to anyone that it changed me. Witnessing Lacey’s strength and determination has left me second guessing the way I see her. Having childhood trauma makes you more perceptive and determined to dig into what makes other people tick; seeing the same fight in her eyes as I once had in mine draws me in further.

There’s substantially more to her than bouncy gold hair and glossed ruby lips. Her rich girl persona calls to be set free from the lifestyle she doesn’t belong in.

Yes, I’ve done horrible things. I’ve tortured and killed men; I’ve sold and taken drugs. I’m an evil man living in a corrupt world. I’m the man who creeps into Lacey’s dreams to ruin her for other men.

I keep telling myself sleeping with her will fix my problems, then we fall into the same old habit of me pushing her away or her running from me. The greatest obstacle here is that I can’t or won’t allow myself to be the dom others have experienced before her, although bit by bit I’m slipping through the cracks with her incessant need for me to let her in. Tonight is a prime example of that. She challenges me every chance she gets. I think I’ve finally met my match.

Get out of your head. You’re holding back, Lacey protests while I glide my cock in and out of her luscious pussy. I try hard to dampen the rage simmering on the surface, however that’s hard when she’s calling my bluff.

If I give you what you want, you’ll run scared. I flip her onto her back, hoping she can see my sincerity. This woman confuses me. Conversations during sex have always been a hard limit but with her I want to. It’s raw communication that comes naturally. I place her legs over my shoulders to better angle myself, letting the orgasm build until we’re at each other's mercy.

I watch as she fights to keep her eyes open. Look at me, pixie, I growl at the same moment her walls strangle my cock like a vice and all other words I saved for her come out as a strangled groan of possessiveness.

Once she regains composure, she picks up where I left off. You don’t know that. Give us a chance. Let me in, she pleads.

She has absolutely no idea what that’d do to her. I’ll bring her down with me. I can see it in the back of her mind's eye. She’s not ready yet, and for that reason I need to continue keeping her at arm's length. I need to protect her from my own nightmares while saving her from her own. If she knew how much of a hold she has on me, she’d try harder to break me.

I can’t let that happen.

Enough. You won’t handle what I'm capable of. Just because I take you into the club sometimes doesn’t mean you can throw demands on me. I need to defer this conversation so she continues thinking I'm the asshole she labels me as.

This is pointless. She wriggles from underneath me.

Lacey, I warn.

If you won’t open up to me, how is this ever going to work? I know we both agreed to no feelings, but I think we’re kidding ourselves. You’re lying to yourself more so if you think otherwise. If you continue building walls, then this can no longer continue. I watch as she searches for her discarded clothing while suppressing her anger toward me. One trait I’ve learned about this little pixie is she will bottle her emotions. She’ll pretend until it’s no longer a problem or explode when she’s passed her limit.

We’re both stubborn people. This is half of the reason neither of us has let the other go; or so I keep telling myself.

Frustration morphs into humor as she aggravatedly searches my living room.

Where the hell is my underwear? Gah, how many times do I have to tell you to stop hiding them from me when we have sex!

My lip curls up on one side. I love riling her. The sex is exhilarating when she comes back for more.

Calm down. You know you always come back. The smug grin is wiped from my face. I rub the tender spot on my cheek where she just slapped. A dark haze blinds my vision. No one slaps me, period. My muscles tense as I stalk toward her, still naked, backing her into a corner.

You want a taste? I swipe a knife from the knife block on my way past the kitchen island and press the sharp tip against her delicate skin. We lock eyes as she struggles to decipher the outcome of her mistake. Her eyes are wide and afraid. I glide my nose down her elongated neck, inhaling her just been fucked scent mixed with lingering fear. It excites me the way her body responds to mine despite the provocation.

With my other hand, I pull free a strand of her hair, playing with it between my fingers before stepping closer to whisper in her ear, Do you still want me to show you what it’s really like for me to let go? Because you’ve got him, pet. You have his undivided attention. I suggest you run now if you’ve changed your mind.

My dick stands at attention and presses into her stomach as I push her harder against the stainless steel fridge.

You’re a sadistic bastard. She spits venom at me.

You asked for it. What did you think was going to happen? That I’d sit down and talk about how shitty my life was growing up? How about you tell me what’s holding you back, huh? I seethe.

Stop!

One word is all it takes to step back and lower the knife. As I do, I watch the light’s reflection dance on the shiny steel like a beacon.

It’s no secret that I love sharp objects. Knives and blades are like a second skin.

Lacey stands before me, opening and closing her mouth like she has something to say but is either too scared or can’t find her words. Her features turn hard. That’s when I know she’s made up her mind.

Lacey, I warn again.

I don’t want her to walk out of here with this situation unresolved, but who am I to stop her.

I’ve warned you for months.

Warned me that I’d run? Well, congratu-fucking-lations, you’ve finally gotten what you’ve always wanted. I’m leaving. She pushes past me, snatching her clothes from the floor to finish dressing.

I clench my fists at my side, knife still in hand, but I don’t react past that. I can’t. I don’t want to see the hurt I put on her face as she walks out of my home.

By the way, you are as much of an asshole as Alexander. You can rot in Hell where you clearly belong!

The door slams leaving her words echoing in the air.

I’m already there.

A thunderous roar leaves my throat as I throw the knife across the room and its handle protrudes from the sofa. Only then do I take my first proper breath since Lacey slapped me and head for the bathroom. I need a shower to smother the rage.

After standing under the stream of water for longer than intended, I dress in one of my pristine suits ready to head to work for the night.

I need to get my head back in the game if I’m to regain my focus, otherwise boss lady will be the one to have my balls in a different vice, threatening to castrate me.

It’s quite ironic. Two different women want my balls for two different reasons.

Knox is waiting for me in the parking garage when the elevator door opens. Ever since we came back from California, he’s been posted as my shadow twenty-four seven. We get along well. I have a hunch he’s got demons of his own in his closet. He gets my life choices and often knows what I’m going to do before I do. Like right now.

I walk toward him with purpose, ready to get to work. My Range Rover door is open ready for me to get in, but I ignore it and walk toward my Audi.

The urge to regain control is strong.

Knox understands and is ready to follow me by the time I’m in the driver’s seat.

Having this time to myself is important. Especially when I’ve replaced my normal stress release strategy with my little pixie, and now I’ve gone and fucked that up.

Ever since Lacey fell on my lap, I’ve not been able to focus on anyone but her, which means my demons are on the surface.

Pressing my foot heavily on the accelerator, the purr of the engine vibrates through my body, cooling my thoughts. No matter what I do, though, they always come back to her.

It takes mere minutes before I’m pulling into the underground car park behind the club. Once I’ve shut the engine off, I wait in the car for Knox to catch up. He’ll be spitting bullets when he arrives but losing him in traffic was worth it. Besides, the guy should know better than to dawdle.

Speak of the devil and he’ll appear. You and that damn car. They’re the only words spoken from him until we’re inside the building and in the presence of Xander and boss lady.

What did you do this time? She’s fast to call me out. My left nut says she’s been talking to Lacey already.

What makes you think I did something wrong?

Cut the crap. It’s always you. So, tell me, how many more times are you going to fuck this up before I get to intervene? Because I’ll happily cause bodily harm from where I stand.

Shit, boss lady, you really are upset with me. For the record, she asked for it, so I gave it to her. Maybe get your facts straight first.

Enough! You’ll respect my wife, Antonio. Xander looks at Ava, jaw set, eyes still hard but his tone softens for her. Treasure, how about you go and see your friend. Take all the time you need. Tony will take over here.

Thanks, baby. I definitely need to do damage control…again. She looks at me with evil eyes, which kind of scare me.

Just remember, whatever she tells you, she literally asked for it. The slap on the back of my head makes me feel like I’m a teenager again. I mean, thanks, Ava. I appreciate it. I focus on Xander, hoping that’s what he wanted to hear because I’m sick of being slapped today. The only difference is he understands my dislike of being stricken across the face compared to the back of the head.

I fight to forgive Lacey. She doesn’t understand what that simple action means and the memories that come with it. Memories that must stay buried.

She’ll come around. She always does.

I hope I’m right.

TWO

Lacey

The man infuriates me. He pushes my buttons to the brink of insanity, then I succumb to his gorgeous face and ride his dick like a needy bitch, and I’m neither of those things.

I’m fiercely independent.

Sex with Antonio is out of this world amazing. He really knows how to please a woman. But right now, I hate him. I hate him for making me think I could fall for him. For luring me into his false sense of safety, then to turn around and hold a knife to me like I’m worthless.

I want to stay mad at him, although I know parts of what he said today are the truth. I’m not ready for what I’m asking of him. I thought by letting him express his darkest desires with me it would help me overcome my past and bring us closer. Instead, I tore us further apart.

I arrived home an hour ago. Long enough to have a bath, make cocktails and finally relax before Ava came knocking on my door. Now we’re sitting in my living room as Ava watches me drown my sorrows while I fight to keep the biggest secret of all.

Lacey, what is happening with you? There is a mix of sorrow and guilt in her question. Sadness because of my sunken gloominess, because she’s an angel who tries to take on my burdens then blames herself when it blows up in my face.

How do you do it? I ask, dispirited.

Do what, exactly?

Don’t play dumb. How do you cope being the wife of the most notorious man in the country? You used to be the first person to avoid conflict, now you are the first person to rip anyone’s head off, next to Xander that is. I don’t know if I’m enough for a man like Antonio.

It’s not Antonio you’re scared of, is it? It’s the way he makes you feel. You’re scared that you’re already in love with him.

Bingo.

Just answer my question. This is the only way I can continue this conversation without crying. Dare I say, I’ve done my fair share of that since I arrived home.

I don’t know if I ever struggled like you’re asking. Our relationship didn’t exactly start out conventional, remember?

My shoulders slump as I sigh, and exertion takes hold once more. I don’t know what to do. Before him I would move on to the next. I drink the fruity dregs from my glass, then get up to make another round of strawberry mojitos.

What’s stopping you from moving on now? You two aren’t official, so… She leaves me to mull over her words. I know she’s trying to plant an idea in my head.

Moving on would be the best idea if this hadn’t been going on for so long already. I’m bewildered by him. How am I supposed to put those feelings on lockdown to find someone else when he’s everywhere? The bastard doesn’t let me use the restroom without him knowing for fuck’s sake. I get that we’re toxic together, but this will never end until we both say so. I might have walked out on him tonight then called you, but he came running straight to you guys as well. If it was easy, you wouldn’t have to be here picking up our ruins. A plume of emotion bursts from my mouth as I try to explain how complicated my love life is.

I’m angry at myself for letting it get this far. Upset he let me walk out. I’m exhausted.

Ava takes our drinks and places them on the coffee table as I sit back down, then slides beside me and engulfs me in a hug. The simple action is enough for me to let go of the tension and stress I’ve been bearing until my body hurts and the tears have dried up.

I have the perfect solution. She takes my hand dragging me off the couch and leads me to my bedroom, neglecting our mojitos.

I don’t think Xander would agree with you and me, babe. I hiccup a laugh.

For starters, I’m glad you’ve found your personality again. More importantly, that’s not what I have planned. We need to choose an outfit for you. We’re going out.

This is too familiar. Please tell me we’re not going to Envy. You know I can’t go back there. It’s a recipe for disaster. I stop in front of my clothing racks and filter through the sea of colorful outfits.

We’re not. Her certainty scares me. Then she drops the real bomb. We’re going to Las Vegas.

My jaw drops. It wasn’t that long ago that I left Antonio’s, and she’s not only made me admit that I'm in love with the man but she’s whisking me away to the City of Second Chances. I look at my friend in disbelief.

The power has gone to your head, woman. I stand by my previous statement. Xander will never agree to us going to Vegas without him. She smirks while pulling out two dresses.

Actually, you’d be surprised with what he’ll agree to with a little persuading. Now, which one? She looks suggestively at me with a hint of amusement.

I reach for the shimmering black number.

I think getting out of the city will do you some good. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Think of how fun it’ll be making Tony stew over the thought when he finds out. Who knows, the dumb man might finally relent and swoop you off your feet.

That’s a bit far-fetched.

While I get changed Ava gets carried away and starts packing me a bag. The thought of letting my hair down brings a smile to my lips.

As long as we’re not man shopping and we get through our time away with no drama, then count me in. Deep down this spells bad idea, however the distraction will be welcome.

Yes! I knew you’d agree. I called ahead on my way over to get the plane ready.

I scoff at her admission. Of course you did. Thank you for always being here for me. I’d be a lost mess without you. As I pass, I kiss her cheek, then continue my path to the bathroom to freshen up my makeup.

I’m excited to spend quality time with my best friend.

As soon as the elevator door opens, one of Ava’s bodyguards is waiting in the lobby to take my bags and escort us to her car. On second glance, he’s quite handsome. He has a firm physique, cropped mousy hair and a chiseled jawline. I’d internally bite my fist because of his gorgeousness if I didn’t have another man flooding my mind with punishments.

I shake away the absurdity. He can’t touch me if he’s nowhere near me.

Settling into the back of Ava’s car I let my anticipation overrule all other thoughts. Where are we staying? I ask excitedly.

Ava’s smoky eyes turn playful. "I’ve booked us in at The Opal Lounge. We have one of the presidential suites with no room for other guests. I told you, I called ahead and organized everything." Her proud smile concludes with contagious happiness.

The plane comes into view when we pull onto the tarmac at Teterboro. It matches Xander’s personality perfectly with its black and gray tones.

We come to a stop beside a red carpet rolled out for us, and my heart floods with gratification for both me and Ava. I’m grateful to Xander for treating her like royalty. She deserves all of this.

I push my sunglasses onto the brim of my nose when the car door opens. As I wait for Ava, I finish taking in my surroundings. I also inhale a breath of encouragement. The last time I traveled on this plane was coming home after Ava was rescued from William. A time when Antonio and I were less complicated.

Mrs. Lamont, Miss Montgomery, Vince greets us at the bottom of the stairway.

I follow Ava on board, bubbling with nervous excitement. However, the outburst I was about to have gets lodged in my throat and I start choking on my own saliva.

What the fuck is he doing here? I bristle. All joy is lost when I see Antonio sitting in one of the seats with his feet up, arms draped behind his head with a cocky smirk.

Hello, pixie. He fucking purrs the name.

I love it when he calls me that. Fuck, no I don’t. I shake some moral sense into myself. "I am not your pixie or pet, and I’m also leaving." I turn to walk back down the stairs when Vince strategically times the door to close. Shit.

Ava, what is he doing here? I’m beyond upset. I’m livid. This was supposed to be a girls’ trip. Okay, I understand the need for Xander to be here, but Antonio? Not buying it.

"Tony goes where I go. I thought you were smarter than