“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.
?
As we rode the elevator to my penthouse, I watched Anastasia. She’d been quiet, letting only the awe on her face communicate how she felt. It started with the private garage,and then it kept going. I hadn’t told her when I shared that I had an apartment that was in a luxury high-rise. As we exited the elevator on the twentieth floor, there were only four entrances in addition to the stairwell. I went to the one with20Aon the door. I unlocked it, disabled the alarm system, and held the door open for her. I wheeled her suitcase in behind her.
Anastasia was slowly turning her head, examining my home. I took off my shoes. She slid off her sandals. Her face registered surprise when I handed her a pair of flip-flops, as she had at her place. She put them on. Leaving her suitcase in the entryway, I took her hand.
“Let me give you a quick guided tour. Then we’ll grab some wine, and I’ll get started on dinner.”
“Sounds good to me,” she replied.
The penthouse was two thousand square feet, allowing the living room, kitchen, and dining room to be large, as were the bedrooms and the office. My office was first, off to the right of the entryway. I placed my briefcase on my desk. She walked around, taking in the bookshelves and the decor.
“I love your desk. It fits you,” Anastasia said.
“It doesn’t feel like it’ll disintegrate into matchsticks if I lean on it as I work,” I agreed.
From there, I went across to the dining room. I had a more ornate, large dining set in there capable of seating a dozen if all the chairs and leaves were used. A matching hutch held my mom’s china that I inherited. I offered to split it with Rowan, but he waved anything sentimental away as old stuff.
In the kitchen, she ran her hands along the custom concrete countertops. It went with the vibe in there. Custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances. There was a small table in the nook area, along with seating along the island. That was all open to the living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows showed the view of downtown.
