Anastasia
Reign was in a great mood when he got off work. He was walking around our home, whistling. We’d decided to order in tonight. Neither of us felt like cooking. Finally, I couldn’t hold back.
“Reign Caldwell, if you don’t tell me what the heck has you in such a good mood, I’m going to strangle you. Pass along the good vibes. You know we need all we can get right now,” I snipped.
He half-snorted, half-laughed before gesturing for me to come to him. I did so. He sat in his favorite chair, tugging me down on his lap. I stared him in the eyes.
“I had lunch today with Hoss and Mikhail. They unexpectedly dropped by the office and asked. It has been too long since we did anything like that, so I said yes. We went to a favorite restaurant and had a great time. Well, it was great except for one small diversion,” Reign explained.
“What diversion was that?”
“I told them about Rowan and his bullshit and how it affects buying this building. I was just venting. However, they hopped on it and insisted they’d loan me the money to buy it, and then I’d repay it as soon as my money wasn’t tied up in Ro’s crap.”
I gasped. I knew the price tag. It wasn’t pocket money.
“That’s extremely generous of them. What did you say?”
“I thanked them, then told them I couldn’t. I refused to mix money with our friendship in case something unforeseen happens.”
I wasn’t surprised at his decision. “How upset were they?”
“They weren’t. Instead, I was told if I didn’t accept their help, Mikhail would tell Matvey, and he’d show up with cash in hand, drop it off, and walk away.
I can’t have a Bratva boss giving me money.
I have to account for it. No one would believe I wasn’t laundering dirty money, and Mikhail knows it.
They left me no choice but to accept the loan from Hoss and Mikhail,” he grumbled, even though he was grinning.
I wasn’t able to stop myself. I laughed and clapped my hands.
He’d shocked me after I met Matvey and Victoria by telling me one night who Matvey Ivanova was to the rest of the world.
I hadn’t wanted to believe him at first. He had called up Mikhail and asked him to tell me what his cousin did for a living.
I’d been left speechless while Sinner and Mikhail laughed.
I could so picture the scene with Matvey dropping off the money.
“That is devious! I love it. I understand your concerns, but they’re showing you love and faith in you.”
“They are. After lunch, I called Mr. O’Brien. Mikhail and Hoss can transfer the money at any time. I insisted on a written formal contract, not a verbal one. It’s being drawn up, and as soon as we all sign, the money goes to O’Brien, and we’ll own this place,” he said proudly.
I hugged him as I said, “You’ll own it. I’m so thrilled, Rei.”
He pushed me back, leaving space between us. He wore a serious expression.
“No, we’ll own it. This building, and everything else that falls under my trust and powers of attorney, will bear your name, Anastasia.
We’ll share it all. If we’re life partners, then we’re fifty-fifty ones.
The only exception is your business. You should keep it separate.
A woman should always have something that’s only hers, my mom used to say.
“Mom and Dad put everything in both their names, but Mom did have a separate account that was only for her. It kept harmony, and they always told us to do the same. They were very happy. If your parents had done the same, it wouldn’t have helped everything, but I bet it would’ve been better,” Reign concluded.
“You’ve already started to put my name on things?” I asked, stupefied.
“Damn straight I have. Aven is working on it right now, and we’ll sign the paperwork when she’s done.
But that’s not the focus at the moment. Right now, we’ll buy this building and start searching for an architect to draw up blueprints for what we want.
Once we have those, we’ll find a contractor.
I’m hopeful that by no later than a year from now, though I pray it’s sooner, we’ll have our ideal home. ”
I was too stunned at first to do more than blink.
But when it sank in, I let out a squeal and almost choked Reign as I hugged his neck, then kissed him.
I was seeing more positives than negatives in my life.
Hopefully, this meant I’d be rid of Sam soon, Rowan would be handled, and Mom would begin her recovery.
By the time our kiss ended and we could think, I voiced my idea.
“Honey, I’d like to have everyone over for a cookout, the whole crew from Lustz, including Matvey and Victoria. Plus, I want to include Mom. What do you think?”
“Babe, I love the idea, but are you sure about your mom with them? She knows nothing about that part of our lives. It won’t be possible to keep it hidden with that many of us together,” he warned.
“I know, and I believe it’s time she knew. I’ll talk to her first. If she’s too uncomfortable, she can pass on it, but I want the others to celebrate with us,” I told him adamantly.
“Okay, if that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do. When?”
“I’d love for it to be this weekend, but everyone will have plans. How about next weekend, after my breach of contract hearing?”
“We’ll undoubtedly need it. Yeah, let’s aim for next Saturday. I’ll contact everyone to see if they’re available, and you can arrange to speak to your mom. I’m more than willing to do that with you if it helps,” he offered.
“We’ll see if it’s necessary.”
And that was how we spent the rest of the evening until bedtime, except for when our food came. We talked about the cookout and the building purchase. I was equal parts apprehensive and giddy.
?
Mom and I were at my townhome. I’d asked Reign to let me speak to her alone. If Mom had questions I couldn’t answer, I’d call him. But I thought it might be more comfortable for her if it were the two of us. I had no clue how she’d react to what I was about to share.
I wouldn’t call her a prude. Growing up, Mom had no trouble sitting me down to talk about sex when I was old enough.
She would answer questions without evasion.
Yet it wasn’t often broached. When I became an adult, I’d sometimes share with her issues I had with boyfriends, but again, not in vast detail.
We were seated in the living room, and I felt as if I was about to jump off a cliff. It was the afternoon, so I mustered some fake courage and accepted her offer of wine. She had a glass, too.
“Stasia, tell me what’s wrong before you give yourself a stroke. I know something is wrong. Is it you and Reign? Is that why he’s not here? Honey, no matter what your trouble is, you can work it out. He loves you and is nothing like your dad.”
Seeing her concern, I knew I had to head off what she was assuming. “No, Mom, Reign and I aren’t having issues. In fact, everything with him is wonderful.”
“Then has Sameer done something more?” she asked.
“No, he’s still lurking, and the breach of contract hearing with the judge is on Wednesday.
After that, he should be too scared to ever come near me again.
The lawyer handling my case is tough. Sophia is confident we’ll prove his ridiculous contract is fake.
Anyway, he’s not why I’m here or what I wanted to speak to you about.
“Reign and I want to have a cookout next weekend on Saturday. We’re inviting a group of friends that you’ve only met two of, Sawyer and Iker. And we want you there. However, before we do that, there’s something you need to know. It might make you uncomfortable to attend.”
I paused. Mom gave me an encouraging smile. I dove in.
“All of them, including their spouses for some, are members of a club. Reign is a member, and I’ve recently joined it.”
“A club? Have I heard of it? What kind?”
“It’s called the House of Lustz. It’s a kink club, Mom, in Nashville.
I know that’s a shock, and I want you to know it’s not what many people assume.
The patrons and patronesses are vetted. No one is forced to do anything they don’t want to.
The club has security on site. It’s merely a place where people can freely explore their desires and appease their curiosity without anyone judging them,” I spewed out.
Her eyebrows raised, widening her eyes. Her mouth opened a tad. She stared and said nothing. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking, and it killed me. I remained silent so she could process and ask questions. A couple of minutes passed before Mom said anything.
“You and Reign are members of this kink club, and so are Iker and Sawyer. There are others you call friends in it, and you want me to meet them all. Well, I wasn’t expecting that. Okay, uhm, I have some questions, but you don’t have to answer them if you prefer not to.”
“Ask me,” I urged.
She hadn’t run out of the room or moved away. I took those to be good signs.
“Do the two of you have intimate time with others at the club, including any of your friends?”
“No, absolutely not. Do any of them do it with others? I can’t say for sure. The couples, probably not. The single ones, who knows? Reign and I are solidly committed to monogamy, not that we judge those who aren’t.”
“Good. I hate the idea of people being judged or limited. Lord knows I’ve been exposed to enough of that. What kind of kinks happen there? Do you see others together, or is it done in privacy?”
“Any legal kink, you could find there. Nothing that involves children or those not able to consent. Yes, some people are out in the open or in rooms with open blinds so they can be watched. Others keep it private. Before you ask, Reign and I have only ever been private.”
“What made you join the club? Was it because of Reign?” Mom asked.