Anastasia Chapter 17
My mind kept revisiting last night at Lustz.
I had no idea that having someone do that would take me out of my head and turn me on so much.
I swear, I was boneless, and it was hard to get out of bed this morning.
But Reign enticed me, although not with sex.
We had that again after we got home from the club.
He did it with the promise of the best brunch in Midtown.
And, luck would have it, we didn’t even need to take a car. It was only six blocks away. The weather was very warm and slightly humid, typical for early June. The trees lining some of the streets and the unique shops along the way drew the eye. There were people of every description out and about.
Midtown was known for its nightlife. From the laid-back bars and drag shows to the live music, rock gigs, and late-night cafés, it was always alive.
It was so busy, not just because of the various venues but also because it was close to Vanderbilt University.
Centennial Park, with its Parthenon replica, acres of green grass, and trees, drew tons of visitors and residents.
There was a line out the door. I was about to suggest we find somewhere else when Reign drew me inside, past people standing and seated, waiting to get a table. When he reached the hostess, she smiled.
“Hello, Mr. Caldwell. Welcome back. We have your table ready. If you will follow me.”
Those watching went from uninterested to upset. I felt the visual daggers in my back. God knows how long they’d been waiting.
“Reign, how can we just walk in? There are a ton of people waiting,” I whispered.
He gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
“Easy, I messaged first thing this morning that we’d be here at eleven,” Reign explained.
“Wow, planning ahead. I like that.”
He winked as he pulled out my chair, then scooted it in before taking his.
“Your waitress will be right with you,” the hostess said.
“Thanks, Cleo.”
She nodded, then walked off.
“You must come here a lot if you know them by name and they know you,” I remarked.
“I’m here somewhat frequently. It’s a favorite place of mine. Ah, here is our waitress.”
Over the next several minutes, we gave our drink and food orders.
Once we were alone again, I looked around.
It was a more modern place, sort of like his penthouse.
The restaurant had lots of windows, black metal, and medium-stained maple wood.
It was very busy, and the chatter of voices filled the place.
Strategically placed here and there, greenery livened it up.
“I like the vibe. If the food is as good, then I’ll be back,” I told him.
“The food is even better. Anytime you want to come, we will. You should get your mom to come with us next time. I think she’ll love it. Speaking of her, how did she sound when you spoke to her this morning?”
Before we left the apartment, I called to see how Mom was doing.
“Overall, I thought she sounded good. She’s still getting used to being alone. I offered to come over and stay with her, but she refused. Said we need time together, since we work so many hours apart. She’s taken on more clients, so she’s been busier, which she claims is good,” I told him.
“Who is watching her today? Does she know?”
“Chad is, she said. Mom wanted me to mention that she wants to pay for their time. I told her I’d tell you, but I doubted it would work.”
“You’re right, it won’t. First of all, I can afford it. Secondly, Iker offers me the friends-and-family discount. He’s done this kind of thing for others in our friend group. If your mom tries to pay him, he’ll say no.”
“Well, I sorta thought as much, and I told her that. Mom said if no one will let her pay, then she needs to have everyone over for dinner, including whoever is actually guarding her and me. She asked if you could speak with Iker and see when that would be doable. Oh, and she said if you don’t help her facilitate it, she’ll have to reconsider if you’re good enough for me. ”
I grinned at him, so he knew Mom had been teasing about the last part. Reign’s head went back, and he barked out a laugh.
“I swear, I don’t know how your dad kept her suppressed all these years. I see where you get your fiery side from. Are your sisters anything like you?”
I rolled my eyes. “Please, they were fully indoctrinated by the age of three, I think. They’ve always done exactly what Dad wanted.
They did the extracurricular activities, took the classes, and wore the clothing he said they should.
They went to college and got an associate’s degree only to attract husbands Dad approved of.
I feel sorry for my nieces, Anaya and Ishani.
They’ll grow up to be the same. My nephews Shanu and Jatin will be like Arish and Dad.
And if I had been stupid enough to marry Sam and have children, my kids would be doing the same. ” I shuddered.
“Hey, no negative thoughts. We’re not doing it today. Let’s talk about something else.”
Time flew as we talked, ate, and planned our week. By the time we left, I was stuffed and happy that there was a walk back to the penthouse. I needed to walk off my food coma. We detoured to go to Centennial Park. It was so lovely there.
We made it back to the apartment over an hour later. As the front door opened to the lobby, allowing a couple to exit, I don’t know what made me look to the left, but I did. And standing two buildings down, staring right at us, was Sam. I inhaled loudly.
“What’s wrong?” Reign asked.
“We’re being watched. Look left,” I whispered.
Although I don't know why I did, it wasn’t as if Sam could hear me. Reign didn’t turn his head. Instead, he shifted his eyes. He had his sunglasses on, just like I did. A growl broke from him.
“What the fuck is he doing here?”
“Do you think he followed us or was hanging around here until we came home?” I asked.
“Let’s get you inside. I’ll ask the doorman if anyone tried to get access to our place or if he’s seen anyone hanging around. Sam is probably pissed off that we filed with the court first and that it’s not a slam dunk like he thought it would be,” Reign said.
Before entering, Reign took out his phone and snapped photos of Sam. This move caused Sam to scowl before lumbering off into the crowd. I went in ahead of Reign.
Our first stop was the main desk. The man on duty denied that anyone had come in asking for either of us.
However, when he was shown the picture Reign just took, he confirmed he’d noticed the same man walking by the building a few times.
When he asked if he should call the police, both of us said no.
In our apartment, I felt better behind the locked door and with the alarm armed.
We grabbed something to drink and then sat down with my laptop.
An email was drafted and sent off to Sophia.
The picture was attached. Tomorrow would be soon enough for her to reply.
She’d told us to document and send her every little thing Sam did.
The court date to present both sides to a judge was three weeks away. I wasn’t thrilled about waiting. I wanted someone in authority to prove Sam had no standing. Sophia said more than once that there had been no breach.
At least I didn’t have to worry about texts and phone calls.
I’d blocked Sam and everyone in my family except Mom.
He hadn’t emailed, but I’d block him there if he did.
My stomach tightened as I wondered how much more he would do before the meeting with the judge.
Sophia seemed certain that we’d win and there would be nothing to worry about, other than maybe an order of protection to keep Sam away from me.
If necessary, the same would be done for Dad and Arish.
However, I prayed for it all to end. To distract me, Reign had a request.
“Let’s see if we can get a hold of Iker.
If we can, we’ll find out when it’s a good time to have the dinner Kathlyn wants.
Maybe we can combine it with one so we can spend time with the Lustz crew.
Do you think your mom will lose her mind if you tell her I’m leading her darling daughter astray?
I’m corrupting you after all. Her sweet, innocent daughter has never let someone tie her up or drag her to a kink club to watch all kinds of deviant acts. ”
His face was full of laughter, and he kept wiggling his eyebrows at me. I playfully shoved him.
“I’m not that innocent. Maybe you’ll be shocked to discover Mom and I are alike in that way, too.”
“Oh damn, don’t say that. I’ve seen Poe checking her out. If Kathlyn is like you and Lustz appeals to her, Iker will be all over that. He’s been trying to find someone for a while.”
“Whoa, wait, we’re not setting my mom up with anyone. She hasn’t even made up her mind about my dad. And even if she does divorce him, she’ll need time to recover,” I warned.
“I’m just covering bases, babe.”
His words stuck with me as we called Iker. Iker answered on the third ring.
“Hey, man, how are you? Is everything okay?”
“We’re fine. You’re on speaker with Anastasia. What the hell are you doing? Lounging in bed? You sound sleepy,” Reign countered.
Iker chuckled. “Hell no, I’m not in bed. I’ve been up, working since six this morning. Good morn…I mean, afternoon, Stasia. You two been up to anything fun this morning?”
“Hi, Iker. We’ve just returned from brunch, which was excellent,” I answered.
“Is it that one a few blocks from your place, Reign?” he asked.
“Yep, that’s the one. And she’s right. It was amazing. However, we’re not calling you about the food. There are two things, one disturbing and one good, we want to speak to you about,” Reign told him.
“Hit me,” was all Iker said back.