Bad Enough For You// Anthony Ladao Fanfiction

Chapter 23

I didn’t know where my grandparents were when I finally reached my house; in one piece may I add. But I ran upstairs and fell onto my bed, feeling pain and guilt.

How could I agree to letting Anthony do something so terrible? Not only did he hurt Stephan, he hurt Quinn too. And he wouldn’t’ve done any of it if I didn’t give him the go ahead. The knife twisted in my stomach until I grabbed my stomach and closed my eyes.

I didn’t realize I was actually asleep until I woke up to the feeling of extreme heat radiating through my body.

Anthony.

“Chari? Are you awake?” I heard him mumble in my ear. I stiffened underneath him. “I have some explaining to do.”

I merely nodded in response; it took every ounce of me not to jump off the bed.

“We got to the party.” Anthony started; I lost myself in his deep, soothing voice. “I told Thomas the plan and he was all for it, he’s really into the whole mindless acts of violence thing. So it was about 9 and Stephan went to the bathroom to throw up, he really is a lightweight. And so I grabbed him from behind when nobody was looking. I was masked, of course. But I dragged him down into the basement; he didn’t really put up much of a struggle which surprised me. But once we got into the laundry room in the back of the basement, I punched him square in the jaw. I just wanted to bruise up his face a little bit and lead him back to the party.

“The first thing I said to him was, ‘I heard what you did to Quinn. And you know what I do to guys who think they can just assault women?’ And I hit him again. ‘You’re going to leave her, and never tell her that this is the reason you got messed up. You are done with her, you hear me?’ At this point he was shaking uncontrollably and tried to get out of the locked room, I pulled him back and said again, ‘do you hear me?’ he nodded and I hit him again. The minute he yelled for help, that’s when Thomas snapped. He beat him, badly. First he kicked him in the sides, the legs, everywhere he could think of. Then when Stephan started crying Thomas lifted him up and told him he was a pussy. And then he hit him in the nose, that’s when I heard a loud crack.

“I ran up the stairs and told some meat heads from the football team that I had found Stephan tied up and bludgeoned, Thomas and I ran after that. He kept talking about how awesome it was, but I felt horrible. It wasn’t supposed to go that far, I promise.”

I didn’t know how to reply, so I didn’t say anything. Anthony’s presence left my side and I didn’t know if I wanted him to actually leave or not. But a dark figure was in front of me, and then he turned on the light beside us, illuminating his angelic face. He looked like he was about to cry.

“Please Chari, I’m losing everything, but I can’t lose you.” Anthony took one hand in his and pressed it against his chest.

“I’m scared,” I whispered.

“Of me?” Anthony pleaded.

“I don’t- No.” I said honestly.

“Of my life?” Anthony offered.

“Yeah I guess; that and your friends. There are just so many secrets that I don’t know about you and them.”

“I don’t want you to be afraid, you’re safe with me.” Anthony stroked my forehead tenderly.

“I have a hard time believing that.” I replied carefully.

“Do you feel in danger?” Anthony asked, he was running his fingers through my hair.

“No,” I replied. “I’m scared of what you’re capable of.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” Anthony shook his head.

“Are you referring to your drug dealing?” I wanted him to talk to me about these ‘dangers’ he refers too constantly.

“God, that’s the only uncomplicated thing in my life.” Anthony pressed his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes to keep from getting dizzy.

“What’s complicated Anthony?” I pressed.

“I can’t tell you, it would put you in danger.” Anthony whispered.

“Aren’t I already in danger?” I countered.

“It’s just better this way Charity,”

“Better for who?”

“Everyone.”

I sighed and Anthony told me to move over. I did and he joined me on my bed again.

“Maybe we should stop seeing each other.” I said finally.

“Is that what you want?” Anthony asked.

“Is that what you want?” I repeated, directing the question at him.

“I want you safe, but you need to stay with me for that to happen.” Anthony pleaded.

“Safe from what Anthony?” I demanded. I finally opened my eyes again and his dark brown eyes were sucking me in.

“The less you know the better.” Anthony said.

“Why do you keep saying shit like that?” I refrained from yelling in case my grandparents would hear. I got out of the bed.

“Because it’s true!” He scream-whispered. He got off the bed as well. We were about 10 feet apart, both on either sides of my bed.

“Anthony, if I’m in danger being associated with you… Then that puts my family at risk.”

“I would never let that happen,” Anthony promised.

“You can’t save me from everything.”

“But I can try,” Anthony walked over to me.

“Stay away from me,” I backed away from him. “I have no idea what you’re capable of.”

“It’s not me you need to be afraid of,” Anthony stayed where he was.

“It’s the people you associate yourself with.” I sighed.

“Exactly, I would never hurt you.”

“But Thomas hurt Stephan…” I trailed off.

“Thomas is the least of my worries.” Anthony shook his head. “If he ever laid a hand on you…”

“But you would blow your cover.” I pointed out, I started to pace my room, Anthony watched me, standing near my closet.

“I don’t fucking care about my cover!” Anthony yelled this time.

“Keep it down!” I hissed, I stopped pacing to hear. Thankfully I didn’t hear anyone in the house and continued to walk the length of my room. “I care; why are we even together if you want to keep us under wraps so badly?”

“Shit,” Anthony shook his head.

“What is it?” I finally stopped.

“I need to be with you, Charity.” He walked up to me and took my hands, and I let him.

“I don’t…” I didn’t know how to finish that sentence.

“I think I’m falling in love with you Charity.” Anthony finally said.