Anastasia Chapter 17 #2
“First, when we returned home, after over an hour of walking around after brunch, Sia caught sight of Sameer Joshi. He was standing two buildings down from ours, staring. I took a picture of the creep. He walked off after I did. The security guard at the desk said no one had asked to be buzzed up to us, but he’d seen Sam walking by more than a few times.
“I know when Stasia is without me, you have one of your people watching over her. And the same is happening with her mom. Have any of them mentioned seeing Sam or Sia’s estranged family members lurking?” Reign asked.
He held my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. There was a several-second delay before Iker answered him.
“I was waiting to talk to you about this tomorrow. Stasia, I don’t want to add to your stress.” Iker stopped.
“I’m stressed no matter what,” I informed him.
“Iker, just tell us. I don’t keep stuff from her,” Reign advised.
“That’s a healthy relationship. Good for you.
So, there have been sightings of mainly Savar and Arish Shah outside your townhome, Stasia.
They haven’t approached it, but they spend time sitting in a car, watching.
Anytime they’ve gotten out of their vehicles, whoever is on duty makes their presence known.
Your family is waiting for a hole in her protection so they can approach.
Their behavior isn’t a surprise, honestly.
“What is more disturbing is Sameer Joshi. You know me, Reign. I like to know who I’m dealing with. I had my people, with a little help of the biker variety, check into Stasia’s family and this Sam guy.
“Your family is aboveboard, Stasia, just not part of this century with their antiquated thinking. No shady deals or anything like that have been found. The same can’t be said of Sam.
He’s a lawyer at the same firm as your brother.
It appears there have been oddities there for the past two years.
Money that seems to disappear. Cases that should’ve been slam-dunk wins ended up as losses and vice versa.
Client contracts with terms that turn out not to be what was agreed upon. Those are the ones that I recall.
“Now, so far, nothing has directly tied them to Sam, but he’s always been at least in the periphery somewhere. The excuses or explanations are very plausible. He’s been making big moves, and the rumor is he’s on track to be made a partner. Your brother is already a partner.
“I’m telling you this because my gut says Sam Joshi is dirty and he’s using his shady moves to position himself to be made partner, and his friendship with your brother seems suspicious.
“That leaves us with his movements since he served you those damn papers. He’s been seen outside your clinic, your townhome, the penthouse, and I just heard he was outside of Lustz last night.
He’s stalking you. To what end, I don’t know, but you need to be careful.
Guys like him can become unstable and dangerous without warning.
Believe me, Reign, and I have seen it. I don’t know if the guy is obsessed with you personally, as a means to obtain what he wants at work, or both. ”
When Iker finished, I sat there letting everything he said sink in.
While my heart raced and a sick feeling rose in my stomach, a part of me wasn’t surprised.
Sam’s previous smoothness and ability to make me believe we were in sync and wanted the same things had been flawless.
It smacked of lots of practice. If he were used to lying and getting away with it with his bosses, coworkers, and clients, it would be easy for him to do the same with me.
Reign hugged me to him. “Babe, don’t worry.
He’s not getting away with it this time.
Iker, I want you to continue surveillance on Sia and her mom.
If you believe more people are needed, do it.
Time will tell what exactly Sam’s endgame is.
We’ll stay prepared. Thanks for telling us.
Now, on to the good news, unless you have something more to tell us,” my man added.
“Nah, that’s all I have for now. So, what’s the good stuff? Lord knows some would be excellent right now,” Iker replied. There was an undertone there. I wasn’t sure what kind.
“Kathlyn wanted to pay for her protection detail. I said no and that you wouldn’t let her even if she asked,” Reign said first.
“Damn right I won’t. Go on.”
“So she said if no one will allow her to pay, then she wants to have everyone over for a home-cooked dinner. That includes you and all the people who have watched over her and Sia. She wants us to figure out, with you, when that can happen. I have no doubt Sia will help, and their cooking isn’t to be missed.
Will you come and help arrange it so that all your people who should be there are?
Sooner rather than later would be best,” Reign finished telling him.
“Mom won’t take no for an answer, and she’ll keep asking,” I warned.
Iker chuckled. “Sounds like you take after your mom. Sure, I’d love to meet her and to have a delicious home-cooked meal.
Let me do some checking and juggling today, and I’ll get back to you with when we can.
It’s sweet of her to want to do it. And I want to say I hate the way your family, aside from your mom, is treating you.
It’s fucked up. I’m glad you both are out of it. ”
“We soon will be. Mom allowed herself to be suppressed for years. She hates that she did. Blames herself for what happened to all her children. She regrets it. I’m pretty sure this separation will end in divorce. Dad won’t change, and she can’t live that way anymore,” I added.
We chatted for a few minutes more. We talked about last night, but no details.
He was told of my introduction to shibari and that I loved it.
When we hung up, I felt restless and needed to expend some energy.
Reign shocked me when he suggested we go home shopping.
I asked for what? He said anything that struck our fancy and would meld our things into ours.
He was adamant that this was my home and needed to reflect more of me.
I kissed him and said yes. Thirty minutes later, we were out the door, headed to the stores.