Anastasia Chapter 7 #2
“I can kick anyone out. You don’t pay rent or own this place, Arish.
As for Sam, he’s not my boyfriend, and after this stunt, if there were even an iota of possibility that I’d change my mind and accept him, it’s gone.
I decide what a good life is for me, not you, not him, and not the family! ” I shouted at my brother.
“Calm down! There’s no need to get dramatic and yell.
You’re not thinking clearly since the assault.
Clearly, you have head trauma. If you won’t sit and talk like a rational being, you leave me no other recourse but to call an ambulance.
You’re a danger to yourself and others,” my brother said with infuriating self-righteousness.
As I gaped at him in disbelief, Arish gave Sam a chin lift. “Go ahead and hold on to her so she doesn’t do something to hurt herself.”
Automatically, without missing a beat, I opened my mouth and screamed at the top of my lungs.
Both of them swore, but the roar of a third voice eclipsed their words.
Whipping my head around, I saw Reign charge into the room.
Fury was written all over him. Sam’s arm had landed around my shoulders only to be torn away as Reign reached me.
I was tugged into his arms and cradled there as Reign shot fire from his eyes.
“Get your motherfucking hands off her!” He bellowed.
“Who the hell are you?” Arish shouted.
“You have no right to be here. You’re filling her head with nonsense,” Sam yelled.
“Leave before I call the cops and have you arrested,” my brother added pompously.
That was it. I was done. I tugged myself partially free of Reign’s hold. I faced my intruders.
“The only ones the cops will be arresting are the two of you. You weren’t invited and entered my home without permission. Leave, or I’m calling them,” I warned.
“He didn’t have permission. I’m your brother, and Sam is your man.”
A deep, menacing rumble broke from Reign.
“He’s not her man. So, you’re Arish. I’ve heard plenty about you. As for this one, he might’ve gone out on a few dates with her, but that’s it. She’s no longer seeing him. You told him, didn’t you?” Reign directed his last words at me.
“I did. I called him to let him know we could only be friends. He wanted to talk in person. I told him no. I should’ve known better. I thought it was you when I opened the door. They charged in without permission. However, since you’re both here, let me say this so you both hear it.
“I. Am. Not. Sam’s. Girlfriend. And my earlier offer to remain friends is rescinded.
I don’t want you anywhere near me. As for you, dear brother, this is the last time you try to dictate my life.
Run home. Cry to Dad and the others about how I’m ruining the family and everything else you can think of to bitch about. It won’t change anything,” I hissed.
“I’m not going anywhere until we talk. And I want to know who the hell this guy is? What gives him the right to touch you or interfere between you and Sam?” Arish demanded.
“My name is Reign. I’m Anastasia’s boyfriend. Unlike your friend Sam, I asked, and she told me yes. He’s been working under the wrong assumption.”
Astonishment showed on Arish’s face. “You were seeing two men at the same time! Whores do that, not good women, Stasia. I’m not letting you do this to yourself, Sam, or our family. You’re coming with me.”
As Arish reached to yank me away from Reign, he miscalculated. I was swung easily behind Reign’s back, and he stood tall and ready to fight to keep me. Even though we were in the middle of a terrible situation, I couldn’t stop my body from flushing with sexual heat.
In response, my brother and Sam began circling Reign to get to me. As if connected, Reign and I adjusted our stances. Somehow, Reign maneuvered it so I was protected in a corner. He stood in front of me. His body was alert yet loose, with his hands hanging at his sides.
“Lay a single finger on her, and I’ll break bones, and your asses will be in the hospital, then jail. And before you ask, that’s not a threat. It’s a promise. You heard her. Anastasia wants you to leave,” Reign told them.
“I’m not going anywhere,” my brother snapped.
I’d had enough. I took my cell phone out of my pocket. I had nine and one entered when there was a loud pounding on my door.
“This is the police. Open up,” a man’s voice sounded off.
For some reason, Arish looked smug. Sam remained upset. As for Reign, I figured he wasn’t happy.
“Officer, thank you for coming. Please enter. I can’t reach the door,” I hollered.
“Are you alone, miss?” the officer asked.
“No, there are three men in here with me. I want two of them to leave, but they’re refusing. The other is protecting me,” I replied.
“I need someone to open this door. If you have a weapon, put it down and move away from it. We don’t want anyone to get hurt,” another voice called back. This voice belonged to a woman.
“We’re not armed, officers. I’m trying to speak to my sister, and this man is refusing to allow it,” Arish called back as he made his way to the door.
“I’m coming to open up for you. We’re not armed,” he reassured them before opening my door and stepping back. Arish and Sam had their hands in the air. Reign and I had done the same.
Cautiously, the two cops entered the room. They led with their guns and swept the room, checking for threats. The four of us remained where we were. Once the cops were assured they were in no immediate danger, they lowered their weapons but didn’t return them to their holsters.
“I need you to state your names,” the male officer demanded.
“Arish Shah.”
“Sameer Joshi.”
“Anastasia Shah,” I said, overlapping Reign.
“Reign Caldwell.”
“I’m Officer Castle, and this is my partner, Officer Sierra,” the male cop said.
“A call was made by a concerned neighbor that there was shouting coming from this townhome rented by Ms. Shah. Miss, can you please tell us what’s happening here?” Officer Sierra asked.
“I’d be glad to explain, officers. Arish is my brother.
He and his friend, Sameer, came here. They entered without invitation when I answered the door.
I’ve asked them to leave more than once.
They were trying to force me to leave with them when Reign came and got between us.
He told them to leave as well. I want both my brother and Mr. Joshi out of here and not to return. ”
“You can’t be serious. Officers, my sister was assaulted a few days ago.
She just got out of the hospital on Thursday.
Clearly, she’s confused and needs to return to the hospital to have herself assessed for a head injury.
This man is someone I’ve never met. He came barging in here without permission while we were talking to her.
Sam is her boyfriend. We’re lawyers,” Arish told them.
No doubt he expected the news that they were lawyers would make the cops afraid and defer to him.
“Sir, we’re speaking to the resident of this home. We’ll get to you,” Officer Castle stated.
Dismay morphed across my brother’s face. Sam stood there, glowering.
“Ms. Shah, you said that your brother and Mr. Joshi entered without permission. Please explain,” Castle requested.
I swiftly explained that I thought it was Reign and opened the door without looking, which I knew was stupid.
From there, I walked them through what happened until they knocked.
The officers were good at keeping their expressions neutral, though I thought I caught a flicker of disapproval in Officer Sierra’s eyes for just a second.
“Mr. Shah, as a lawyer, you know how unlawful entry looks to the court. The fact that you’re her brother doesn’t permit you to ignore her request,” Officer Sierra stated.
“We only did it because she’s not acting like herself.
She called Sam and told him that she was no longer seeing him.
When he wanted to talk it through, she refused to see him.
He called me, concerned, and we decided to check on her.
My sister isn’t acting rationally. Sam and she are a couple,” Arish explained.
“That’s not true. Anastasia and I are dating.
Yes, she had gone out with Mr. Joshi a handful of times, but last night, we talked.
She agreed to give me and her a chance. That meant she was to tell him there was no future for them.
I hoped she’d let me be here when she did it, but she likes to handle her own life,” Reign countered.
“That’s bullshit! You influenced her. Took advantage while she’s confused,” Sam spat.
“Mr. Joshi, you need to remain quiet. Ms. Shah, is what Mr. Caldwell said true?” Castle asked. Both officers were jotting down notes.
“It is. And yes, I foolishly wanted to tell Sam as soon as possible that we wouldn’t be going out anymore, so I called him rather than wait for a face-to-face meeting.
I met him through my brother a month ago at a family dinner.
They work together. I admit, I’ve been on a few dates with Sam.
We had a good time and laughed, but at no point did I agree to be his girlfriend.
After Reign and I talked, I didn’t want Sam to be expecting something that wouldn’t happen, so I called to tell him that earlier. You know the rest.”
“Officers, Ms. Shah is leaving out things. I believe it’s because her memory is faulty. We not only went out, but we are in a sexual relationship. It was understood that we’d be getting married. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have slept together,” Sam announced confidently.
I felt Reign’s body tense. I gasped and took a step toward Sam, but I was stopped by Officer Sierra’s hand coming up.
“That’s a damn lie, and you know it. There is nothing wrong with my memory. I never slept with you. We haven’t even kissed. And I certainly haven’t agreed to marry you,” I hissed.
“Yes, you did. Sam told me. He wanted to make sure that I wouldn’t think he was taking advantage of you. He told me last week,” Arish chimed in.
Before I could call them goddamn liars, Officer Castle interjected himself back into the conversation.