Anastasia Chapter 10
Monday, my first day back to work since the assault.
The police still hadn’t found the men responsible, which didn’t surprise me.
They wore masks and had on gloves, leaving no fingerprints behind.
My ribs were slightly sore, but I teased Reign that he worked that out really well over the weekend.
After we had sex Saturday night, when I told him that, he’d been mortified because he’d totally forgotten my ribs.
I laughed and told him so had I, so not to worry.
We’d spent all of Sunday together, and it consisted mostly of hanging around his place, though we did go out to lunch.
He talked me into spending last night at his place.
The truth was, I wasn’t in a rush to go home.
My family and Sam kept trying to call and text me.
I ended up blocking them, but I knew it wouldn’t be that easy to shut them down.
Reign drove me to work. I tried to get him to drop me off at home so I could drive myself, but he refused.
Instead, he insisted that he would pick me up at the end of the workday and take me home.
I think he wanted to be sure he shielded me from my family and Sam.
It was sweet, but he couldn’t be with me every minute of the day and night.
Eventually, I’d be left alone, and they’d corner me.
I was almost mobbed when I walked into the office.
However, I wasn’t exactly sure how much was due to my staff missing me and how much was due to their wanting to gawk at the man with me.
Yeah, Reign had parked and insisted he come in.
He said the staff should see him as more than a former patient. He wanted them to know we were dating.
I’d never dated a former or current patient.
It felt a little odd walking in, holding his hand, and seeing everyone go quiet as their eyes zeroed in on our hands.
They then exchanged sly glances before asking what was up.
I fought not to blush, but my cheeks felt warm, so I knew they were.
Before I formed a reply, Reign answered.
“Hey, everybody, it’s good to see all of you again. I hope you had a good weekend,” were the first words out of his mouth.
There was a chorus of replies.
“Good morning.”
“The weekend was great.”
“Wish it had been longer.”
After those generic responses were spoken, leave it to Morgana to be the bold one to say something.
“You look better than we thought you would, Stasia. Glad to have you back. But I’ve got to admit, we didn’t expect you to have an escort. Or that it would be Reign and he’d have to hold your hand. Are you that unsteady?”
She had a shitty smirk on her face as she asked. The others chuckled or snorted.
“I’m not unsteady, and I’m glad to be back. As for my escort and our hands being together…” I glanced over at Reign just to make sure he was still good to announce our new status.
He gave me a reassuring smile.
“Get used to seeing me around. Your boss and I are dating. I had to be sure my lady got to work safely. I want you all to keep an eye on her. Don’t let her overdo it. If she tries and won’t listen, call me,” He informed them.
The bemused looks on their faces made me grin. They responded by offering congratulations on this new development as their excitement died down. Reign became serious.
“And I need you to make sure her family and a guy named Sam don’t bother her. If they come and act up or won’t leave, call the cops and me. They’re not to be anywhere near her. They’re causing undue stress.”
I saw my staff exchange concerned glances as they nodded, murmuring how they wouldn’t allow anyone to annoy me.
“Don’t stress about it. If any of them are that bold, I can handle them. Reign is protective,” I added.
He tugged me closer, so our sides became glued together.
“Of course I am. I didn’t just find you to have assholes upset you or try to drive a wedge between us out of jealousy or stupidity.
Now, enough procrastinating for both of us.
Let me get you to your office, then I’ve got to head out.
I’ll probably see you all at the end of the day when I pick her up. ”
His wink made them chuckle, and then I was walked to my office, Reign’s possessive hand warming my lower back.
He walked me all the way inside, closing the door behind us.
I figured out why when he spun me around and attacked my lips with his.
The kiss was thorough and long. When he released me, I felt hot all over, and my lips throbbed a little. He smiled at me.
“That’s the way I love to see you looking. See you after work. Take it easy. And don’t forget to call if they come around.”
“Reign, I promise. Go to work before your boss fires you,” I joke.
His grin and the light smack he placed on my ass made me giggle as he left my office.
It took me a minute to get my mind in order after I sat down to get to work.
It was fifteen minutes until the first patient arrived.
I should’ve known Morgana wouldn’t let what was said in the waiting area hold her back.
I swear it wasn’t two minutes after Reign left that she popped into my office.
The excited expression on her face made me want to laugh. Instead, I messed with her.
“Morgana, is the first patient here? You don’t need to walk back to announce them.” I stated casually.
“Don’t you dare pretend with me, Stasia. I know you’re my boss and all, but if you make me wait for the details, I may have to hurt you,” Morgana huffed.
I maintained a puzzled expression. “What details?”
The slight growl that came out of her broke my hold on my laughter. As I let it out, my receptionist shook her head.
When I was done, she said, “Spill.”
“There isn’t a lot to spill. After I was hurt and you called to rearrange his visit, Reign had someone track down which hospital I was in.
He came to see me. Unfortunately, the guy I’ve been out with a few times, Sam, the one my family introduced me to, was there.
It was tense. When I got home, Reign came over.
And it kinda progressed from there with him coming over, us spending time talking, and then the next thing I knew, he asked me to date him exclusively. ”
“And what is this about your family and that Sam guy bothering you?” she asked.
“I agreed to date Reign, so I called to let Sam know that I wouldn’t go out to coffee or meals anymore and why.
He didn’t take it well. The next thing I knew, Sam and my brother appeared at my place, trying to talk me into staying with Sam.
It got a bit heated. Reign showed up, and it was a small showdown.
My only family ally is Mom. To keep them from coming back and bothering me more, I spent the weekend at Reign’s apartment. ”
“And he brought you to work because you stayed last night with him,” she concluded.
“That’s right.”
“And just where did you sleep those nights you stayed with him?” Her smile was sly.
“That’s none of your business.”
Morgana giggled. “I knew it! Well, all I can say is, damn, you have excellent taste. He’s a handsome, sexy devil. Lucky woman. You deserve someone special, Stasia. Congratulations.”
She came over and hugged me. I thanked her before she excused herself to get back to her desk. I got to work. I hoped it was a calm yet rapid day. I wanted to see Reign already.
?
I ignored the texts and missed calls from my family and Sam throughout the day.
They weren’t anything I hadn’t been receiving and ignoring since Friday.
The only one I answered was Mom. She checked in to see how I was doing and warned me that Dad and Arish hadn’t calmed down.
And even my brothers-in-law were now part of the discussion.
I rolled my eyes while I thanked her for telling me. We planned to get lunch this week.
As for my patients, they had all been wonderful.
All but two were repeats, so they asked how I was doing.
The new ones were pleasant and easy to get along with.
However, as the day drew to a close, I was happy to see it end.
Not only was I anxious to be with Reign again, but I was also tired and sore.
My muscles were resisting the exertion after over a week of rest.
I’d finished treating my last patient, and she was gone.
It was twenty minutes until official closing time, so I hoped to get all my documentation in by then so I could go home with nothing to work on.
I also hoped Reign would stay for dinner and couple’s time, but if he had work to do, I’d survive.
My fingers flew over the keyboard as my people restocked and ensured the rooms were ready for first appointments in the morning.
Once it was finished, they’d be free to leave.
At five minutes before five o’clock, only Morgana and I were left.
When she called back to my office, I figured she was locking up.
“Hey, it’s fine to lock up and leave,” I said as I answered my phone.
“Uh, that’s not what I’m calling about, Dr. Shah. I have three gentlemen here who insist on seeing you. They’re family. I told them you’re busy, but they insisted. Should I show them back or have them make appointments?”
Her voice was low. Immediately, anger streaked through me.
They did it again. Confrontation in a place where they thought they could coerce me without interference.
It was the end of the day, and they would think I drove myself, and they’d be able to corner me. Morgana wouldn’t be seen as a barrier.
“Escort them back. Then would you please call Reign and let him know? Lock the front, but leave the back unlocked and tell Reign to enter that way when you leave, please.”
“I will do that. Be there in a moment,” was Morgana’s calm reply.