Sinner Chapter 8
I was counting the minutes until the work week was over and the weekend started.
I was headed over to pick up Anastasia and bring her to my place for the first time.
We’d spent every evening together since the police incident on Sunday.
The main reason was that I wanted to be with her.
The added benefit was that it prevented her brother and that bastard Sam from coming over.
During the day, she’d been kept company by her mom.
I hadn’t been convinced that she would stop them, but Anastasia assured me that her mom wasn’t as on the family’s side as the others thought. She claimed that when she told her what Arish and Sam had done, her mom was horrified and angry.
I got to meet her on Wednesday when I came over, since she was still at the townhouse. When I rang the doorbell, an older woman answered. Even with their differences in appearance, I knew this had to be my woman’s mom. Anastasia resembled her a lot.
“Please, come in. You must be Reign. I’m Kathlyn, Stasia’s mom,” she said, smiling and stepping back to allow me inside.
“Thank you. Yes, I’m Reign. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Shah,” I replied after I was inside and the door was shut.
I didn’t hold out my hand. Anastasia was teaching me about the appropriate protocol in her family. Unless her mom held her hand out to me, I was to bow, which I did.
Her mom smiled, and her hand came out. “I see my daughter has been teaching you. Please, no need to bow to me, though yes, my husband and other children demand it. And call me Kathlyn, not Mrs. Shah. I hope it’s okay to call you Reign?”
As I took her hand, I knew I liked her. I told her to please call me Reign. She spent about twenty minutes with us before excusing herself and promising to be back the next day.
Since then, I’d relaxed a little about Kathlyn watching over Anastasia, though she kept telling me it was unnecessary. She was mending well and planning to go to work next Monday.
At my work, things were business as usual except for one thing: Rowan. He kept insisting we needed to work things out. I blatantly told him to do his job. His attitude hadn’t been nice, which was only making the termination case easier.
A good thing did happen. The final steps in the acquisition of Littleton Crisis Management were completed today.
We will sign the last paperwork next week.
Once that was done, the real work to integrate would begin.
We wouldn’t change everything. We'd only do what made sense to align them with Caldwell.
I made it to four o’clock before I broke. I grabbed my briefcase and then headed for the door. I was to pick Anastasia up by six, but she wouldn’t care if I were early. I paused at Janeen’s desk.
“I’m heading out. Have a good weekend. If anything comes up, call me.”
“Thank you. Have a great weekend. See you on Monday,” she replied cheerfully.
On my way to the elevator to the garage, I said goodbye to several people and wished them a good weekend.
I thought I was in the clear when the elevator doors began to shut.
I was wrong. A hand grabbed hold of one and then pushed, widening the gap, and in stepped Rowan.
I bit back my groan of annoyance, barely. The doors closed, and the ride began.
“Reign, you can’t keep putting me off. We need to talk.”
“Rowan, we’ve said all there is to say. Now, I’m headed out to start my weekend. Don’t text or call me. I have plans.”
“What kind of plans?”
“The kind that doesn't concern you. Drop it,” I told him.
The rest of the ride was made in silence. When we reached the garage, Rowan stormed off without saying a word. I heard the squeal of his car tires as he flew out of the garage.
I’d cleared the garage and was turning onto the street when my phone rang. I swore as I took it out of my pocket, assuming it was Rowan. Instead, I saw it was Anastasia.
“Hello Anastasia, I just left the office. Are you anxious to see me?” I teased as I answered.
“Reign, they came back. They’re demanding entry. Arish says he has a legal right to enter.” Her voice shook a tiny bit.
Instantly, fury rushed through me.
“Did you call the police?” I asked.
“I did, then you. They keep pounding on the door,” she replied.
“Is your mom still there?”
“No, she left half an hour ago. She has a work function with Dad tonight that she has to go get ready for.”
I heard the pounding and an indistinct male voice in the background.
“Stay away from the door until the cops get there. I’m hurrying. If you feel they’ll get inside, lock yourself in your bathroom. And Anastasia, take the gun with you.”
“I will. Don’t get into an accident. I called because you insisted I should. Please drive safely. The police will handle them.”
Her tone was stronger.
“I’ll be careful, but you stay safe.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You never need to say that to me. Hang on, baby.”
She said goodbye and then hung up. I hit the accelerator.
The traffic was already heavy, but it would be worse at five o’clock.
I wove between vehicles and took side streets where I knew it would reduce the backlog and cut time.
It was twenty minutes later that I came to a stop in front of her place.
A patrol car sat along the sidewalk, and a luxury car sat in her driveway.
I jumped out and raced to the door, which was shut. I knocked hard. It was opened after my second knock. The greeter was Officer Castle. He gave me a head nod, then motioned for me to come inside. I didn’t bother to remove my shoes.
I found Officer Sierra, Arish, Sam, and another man standing there facing Anastasia. I pushed past them and brought Anastasia to me. I glared at the three men.
“What the hell is the meaning of this?” I snapped.
“He has no right to be here!” Arish exclaimed to the cops, who ignored him.
“I asked him to come,” Anastasia replied.
“Is this the man you told me about?” The unknown man, who, on closer inspection, I saw was older and resembled Arish, asked.
“Yes, Paapa, this is him. He claims to be her boyfriend,” Arish stated with a slight sneer.
“Paapa, Dad, this is Reign Caldwell, and he is my boyfriend,” Anastasia said. At least she translated what they called the man, though it sounded self-explanatory.
“We don’t mean to interrupt, but we need to resolve this.
As we were saying before Mr. Caldwell arrived, Ms. Shah had told two of you before that she doesn’t want you coming here.
Mr. Shah Senior, it appears the same holds for you as well.
We have to ask you to leave. If you persist in ignoring her wishes, then your daughter will file for an order of protection.
I assume, as lawyers, you two know what that means,” Officer Sierra said with an edge to her words.
“My sister can’t ostracize her family. She would never do that. This man is either forcing her to say and do these things, or he’s brainwashed her,” Arish protested.
“First, it was that she had a head injury, making her confused. Now it’s either force or brainwashing that is causing it. What’s next? Invasion by an alien?” I smarted back.
I watched their faces redden with fury.
“You have no say here. This meeting is for family,” her dad said haughtily.
“If that’s true, then Sam needs to leave because he’s nothing but a coworker to your son. As for me, I’m your daughter’s boyfriend. That makes me almost family. Once we get engaged, that’ll make us family.”
I deliberately twisted the knife while remaining polite.
“You are not her boyfriend! I forbid it. You’ll never marry my daughter!” Shah Senior shouted.
“Enough! Arish, Savar Shah, and Sameer Joshi, you are to leave the premises. If you trespass or harass Ms. Shah again, you’re going to jail,” Officer Castle stated firmly.
Both officers' expressions clearly showed they weren’t lying.
And that was what ended the back-and-forth.
The three men were escorted to the door.
Right before he left, Sam uttered softly, “We’re not over, Stasia. You can’t hide forever behind the cops or this guy.”
It was a repeat of the previous time, when the cops advised her to ask for a restraining order and reminded Anastasia to call the police if they bothered her again. As soon as the door was closed and locked, my woman went limp in my arms. Her head rested on my chest.
“I’m so sorry to start your weekend with drama,” she mumbled.
“You didn’t. Those idiots did. I see where your brother gets his bullheadedness. I have a suggestion, if you’ll permit me,” I said as I took her with me to the sofa where we sat.
“Go for it.”
“We were heading to my place for the evening. What would you say to packing your bag and spending the weekend with me there? Hear me out. It will allow us even more time together. No lost time commuting. It’ll protect you from them or others coming here to harass you. I have a guest room you can stay in.”
I thought I’d have to talk her into it. She stunned me when she answered me.
“Reign, I’d love to stay with you if you’re sure. I can be packed and ready to go in fifteen or twenty minutes.”
I planted a thorough kiss on her soft, healed lips. I nipped and sucked on them for a few moments until she whimpered. I reluctantly separated from her.
“Let’s get you packed. I have everything ready at home to make you the best steak you’ve ever had,” I boasted.
“You sure know how to lure me there,” she teased.
When I let out a rumbly growl, she laughed and jumped up, running toward her bedroom. I stalked behind her, enjoying her laughter and how her ass jiggled as she ran. I fought against my cock rising. I’d have to employ my best restraint, which got harder every single time I saw her.
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