Anastasia Chapter 18
Everyone was gathered for dinner. Iker had been able to coordinate himself and his people to come on Sunday. We ended up doing it at the penthouse because it had more room than my townhouse. The timing was perfect because we had news to share, the good kind.
Mom planned the menu, we shopped for the ingredients together, and then we cooked it together. Reign assisted where we’d allow him. We made it a combination of American and Indian classics.
In addition to Poe, Iker, and Chad, we met three others who have been watching over Mom and me.
For some reason, I was surprised to discover a woman named Delphine was part of it.
It sounded sexist, and I chided myself silently for making the assumption that only men would be part of the security team.
The second was Kristof. As for the third, it was someone I’d already met, Sawyer from Lustz.
He confessed that he not only installed security systems but also took on security guard/bodyguard assignments.
With Sawyer and Iker there, I wondered if they’d say anything about Lustz.
Reign must’ve read my mind because he took me aside and assured me neither would mention it in mixed company.
I wasn’t ashamed of what we did, but I preferred to have the discussion with Mom alone, not in the middle of a group.
The chatter around the table was boisterous and varied. Laughter was common. Mom and I were praised multiple times for the food. Anyone would just jump in and open a topic.
“I heard you got some news on Friday,” Iker said out of the blue.
I blinked and glanced from him to Reign. There was only one form of news I’d gotten on Friday. Reign’s expression read, I didn’t tell him.
“What news?” My man asked.
“The one where the cops arrested the two masked robbers who hurt Stasia in the dry cleaners’ robbery. The duo who had been randomly hitting up various businesses,” Iker replied.
With everything happening with my family, Sam, and Reign’s brother, and, on top of that, Reign’s decision to buy the building and expand the penthouse, I’d completely forgotten about the men. I figured they’d remain unsolved crimes.
“Yes, I did. They caught them when they tried to rob the wrong place, and the owner was ready for them. He and his large family of former and current military and law enforcement personnel stopped them in a heartbeat. I guess the two dummies didn’t do their homework very well,” I admitted, smirking.
Everyone chuckled.
“That’s for damn sure. Well, I’m glad they caught the bastards,” Sawyer muttered.
“How did you know about them? Reign tell you?” I asked Iker.
“Nope, he didn’t, damn him as for how, I’ve got connections all over the place. Detective Ethan Saller, who was heading up the case, told me. We had drinks last night,” Iker admitted.
Others asked questions about the case, and Iker answered if he could. By the time he was finished, the next topic came up. Reign mentioned it. We were seated at the table, allowing the main meal to settle before getting dessert.
“Since we’re sharing positive things, Sia and I have some news,” Reign announced.
“You’re engaged!” Iker crowed.
The others all murmured in pleased voices. Mom looked shocked.
“No, not engaged,” I hurriedly corrected.
“Although that will be occurring soon,” Reign tagged on, winking at me. I blew him a kiss.
“Then what?” Sawyer asked.
“I’ve convinced Sia to move in here with me permanently.
We talked about future ideas, and we don’t have the kind of space we want.
And we plan to stay here for at least a few years.
This building is prime real estate, and the owner wants to retire, so we’re ironing out the details to buy the entire thing.
Sia and I will then have remodeling done to make one of the neighboring apartments become part of this one.
Its last occupants moved out, and it was up for rent. ”
His revelation sparked a flurry of questions, congratulations, and talk about what we’d turn the extra space into.
We told them everything but the shibari studio idea.
I’d been intrigued when Reign told me about the room in Mikhail and Tajah’s apartment atop Lustz.
And that they had one in their new house.
Eventually, we made it to dessert, and then it was time to take everyone up to the roof.
Before we did, the whole group tackled the cleanup, so it was finished in no time.
We took drinks with us. Some had coffee while others chose to drink alcohol.
I was in the mood to relax, so I had a glass of wine with Mom and Delphine.
A few of the guys drank beer. Their reaction upon seeing the roof was better than we had hoped.
“Goddamn! You have this?”
“No wonder you want to stay.”
“That’s it. I’m moving in.”
Their various remarks made us laugh and tease each other. We’d eaten at five, so there was time to hang out without worrying about the time or everyone needing to go to work tomorrow.
I was thrilled to see Mom having such a wonderful time.
The only thing that made me apprehensive was the way Poe and Iker hovered around Mom.
They did nothing inappropriate, but their interest was evident.
I feared her getting hurt. She hadn’t resolved her marriage to Dad, and yet men were interested in her.
I’d mention it to Reign later so that he could speak to them about it.