Anastasia Chapter 15
The rest of Sunday, after Rowan’s visit, passed in silence.
The weight of the confrontation with his brother had hurt Reign, but he knew there was nothing he could do.
Rowan would have to hit rock bottom before there was any possibility of his seeing the truth and doing what was necessary to rise without Reign coddling him.
What we did do that was fun for both of us, and educational for me, was go into depth about the kink lifestyle.
Reign explained how he saw our relationship within that context.
I gave him my input on what I wouldn’t want.
I learned about setting soft and hard limits.
Safety within the Dom/sub relationship. Establishing safe words.
He told me even more about shibari, which made me anxious to try it.
We both talked through our wants, needs, and what we wanted to explore.
What was a huge surprise was when he presented me with a contract that we’d lay everything out in and both sign.
I hadn’t expected that. Reign assured me it would leave no room for ambiguity.
And it wasn’t set in stone. Over time, either of us could ask for modifications.
That’s when I learned that communication and consent were central to the lifestyle. It wasn’t random hedonism.
Reign didn’t live the D/s lifestyle twenty-four seven.
Yes, he was a man with dominant tendencies, no matter what, but he wasn’t one to dictate to me.
When we chose to play, that was when I’d see the most of that side of him.
We worked on the parameters. When we were finished, he said he’d put together a clean copy for us to review and sign. A secret thrill raced through me.
Monday, we went to work as usual. He dropped me off at my office before heading to his.
Thankfully, the day passed without my family calling, texting, or showing up.
I should be relieved, but I wasn’t. I knew they were up to something.
Rowan hadn’t bothered Reign either. We went home to enjoy a quiet evening alone at his place.
That brought us to today, Tuesday. Both of us took the day off to help Mom move.
We arrived at my family’s home a few minutes before eleven.
Mom was alone. She’d been packing since we decided she was moving out.
She hid the boxes in the guest bedroom’s closet.
No one went in there. Reign and I assisted her in finishing up packing a few more boxes.
At eleven thirty, the truck arrived to haul her stuff to my townhouse.
When the driver’s door opened, out came Poe.
With him was another guy who I discovered worked for Iker.
Poe introduced his coworker as Chad. Mom and I were told to relax and let the men do the carrying.
The most we did was provide them with something cold to drink and direct which items were to go. It all fit in the bed of Poe’s truck.
An hour after they arrived, everything was loaded.
I walked around the house with Mom, ensuring nothing was missed.
Even though she hadn’t taken many visible items, the house felt cold, as if life had left it.
I wondered what Dad would say or do when he came home to find her gone.
We were prepared for a scene. Also, I noted how much it bothered her to leave the home she’d lived in for so many years.
The final thing Mom did before walking out was to place an envelope containing a letter addressed to Dad on the kitchen counter.
Since she was taking her car, I rode with her, leaving Reign to drive his car, and Iker’s men took the truck. At my townhouse, they unloaded everything in no time. When they were finished, Mom tried to pay them.
“You have to let me pay you something. You took the time to do all this for me. I never expected it to be free,” Mom protested.
“Kathlyn, we’re not taking a penny from you, so stop trying. A gentleman doesn’t take advantage when a lady is in need. It was my pleasure to do it. Someone as beautiful as you should never look so sad,” Poe told her.
I saw Mom’s cheeks flush at his beautiful comment. Poe and Chad both called her by her first name at Mom’s insistence.
“Our boss left clear instructions to do whatever you asked, and that payment wasn’t required,” Chad added.
“Thank you so much, but if you won’t let me pay you, then you have to let me feed you. Would you be able to do that? Or do you have to get back to work?” she asked.
“We’re working here. But you don’t need to feed us,” Poe said.
“Oh, I insist. I can do American or Indian food. If you have a preference, just let me know. And before you say it's too much, I love to cook.”
That conversation was three hours ago. During that time, we’d unpacked only her essentials for the night, and then the two of us cooked.
However, the guys didn’t kick back and did nothing.
They placed her furniture pieces alongside mine, then joined us in the kitchen.
They’d asked for Indian food, and all three were fascinated by how we made the various dishes.
Not once in my life had I ever seen Dad, my brothers-in-law, or Arish in the kitchen asking to watch food be prepared. They saw the kitchen as women’s domain, and cooking was our task. When Reign and I made meals together, it was fun.
We explained each item to the guys. There was butter chicken, a tomato-based, creamy chicken dish called murgh makhani.
To go with it was biryani, a rice cooked with meat or vegetables and spices.
As a vegetable side, we made dal tadka, a split yellow pigeon pea dish combined with tomatoes, garam masala, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, onions, cumin, ghee, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, and fenugreek leaves.
It was a favorite of mine. The last item made was jalebi, which was a spiral-shaped fried sweet soaked in sugar syrup.
There were slapped fingers and lots of laughter as we made them.
It was five o’clock when we sat at the table to enjoy our feast.
“Damn, my stomach is about to eat itself. Everything smells and looks so good. I can’t wait,” Poe murmured.
“I hear ya. Thank you, ladies, for doing this,” Chad added.
“You’re more than welcome. No standing on ceremony, eat.” Mom ordered.
At home, we would serve the men first, then we’d get ours. I’d always thought that it was so backward to do that. Reign wasn’t that way with me, but I automatically reached for his plate. His hand on mine stopped me. Mom had picked up Poe’s plate.
“Whoa, no, we don’t do that where I come from.
You did the work. You get served first,” Poe said, taking his plate from Mom and placing scoops of everything except the jalebi, which was on the counter for afterward.
When it was filled, he switched it out for Mom’s empty plate, putting the full one in front of her.
Reign was doing the same for mine. Chad sighed.
“Now you’re making me look like a pig since I don’t have a lady to serve.”
We teased him as he chuckled, and the three guys served themselves.
I moaned as the first bites hit my taste buds.
The praise was heavy. We took our time savoring it.
I was so involved in eating and the memories of good meals that I hadn’t thought about the time or that Dad would be home by now and would discover the letter.
I recalled that when there was a heavy pounding at the door, while we were sitting there finishing off the jalebi.
Everyone got quiet. Mom’s slightly panicked expression met my gaze. The men knew who it was. They rose to their feet.
“Ladies, if you’d like to stay here and let us deal with this, we’re more than fine with it,” Reign offered.
Mom drew in a shaky breath as another knock came, followed by Dad’s voice yelling, “Kathlyn, Stasia, I know you’re in there. Open up.”
She shook her head and pushed back her chair. Poe was next to her, so he grabbed the back of it and eased it out so she could stand. Reign was doing the same for me. He knew there was no way I’d stay there.
As a unit, we went to the front door. Since it was my place, I went ahead and opened the door, though Reign was right behind me. Mom was off to my side and slightly behind me, with Poe and Chad behind her.
When the door opened, I took in the sight of my dad.
He was furious, as evidenced by his ruddy face.
His eyes snapped with anger and what might be fear.
He was still in his work clothes. His suit jacket was removed, his tie loosened, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone, with the sleeves rolled up to mid-forearm.
“What the hell is the meaning of this!? Kati, get your things. We’re going home,” Dad snarled.
“Dad, stop shouting. Mom is fine here with me. You need to go home and calm down,” I told him firmly.
“I’m your father. You have no right to tell me what to do. You and I will talk about you stealing your mom away from our home. I don’t know what game you two are playing, but it ends now,” Dad stated.
“I didn't steal anyone. Mom is an adult. It was her decision to leave. I supported her. You can’t come here demanding she return just because you say so. Mom needs time, and she can get it here,” I replied.
“Like hell I can’t. She’s my wife. That makes her mine. And if you think these three goons scare me, you’re wrong. I knew at least he’d be here.” Dad gestured to Reign and curled his upper lip.
“Mr. Shah, since this involves Anastasia, and she’s mine, then yes, you’re correct, I’m here.
I know you, your son, and others don’t like listening to the women in your family when they express their views that are the opposite of what you want.
Tonight is not the time for a fight. It’s been a long, tiring day for Kathlyn.
She just wants to settle in and relax. I suggest you do the same.
When you’re both calmer and able to think clearly, then you can talk,” Reign recommended.