Page 70 of Sinner's Binding
“Reign, you’re killing me. Tell me,” she urged, pinching my ribs. I chuckled.
“Mr. O’Brien wants to sell the building. He told me he’s ready to retire and enjoy life. Yeah, it makes him money, but it can be a hassle sometimes. His wife is ready for them to have peace. I know what all properties I’m associated with are worth, Sia. This building, the one where we live, isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the price. I made him an offer. It’s more than fair. Mr. O’Brien went to his lawyer to see what he thought. When he called me this morning, he said he’d sell it at the offered price if I were still interested.”
I paused and watched the astonishment sweep across her face. I continued.
“How it benefits us is that the penthouse next to us is empty. It’s been up for sale. If we buy the building, we can have it opened up and incorporated into our current one. Plenty of space for offices, spare bedrooms, and a shibari studio. But we haven’t talked about whether you would like to remain there for a while or prefer to move somewhere else, maybe into an actual house.”
Anastasia was sitting straight on my lap, with her mouth hanging open.
“Rei, are you serious? I know we’re together, but that should be your decision, don’t you think?”
“No, it’s ours,” I stated adamantly.
“Wow, okay, well, you know I love the penthouse and that rooftop. It gives us a sense of rural feeling in the middle of urban living. I hadn’t thought in terms of moving other than in with you. When Mom no longer needs my townhome, I plan to sell it. That money could go toward buying the building or making renovations. It has to cost millions of dollars. I don’t have much I can contribute. Most of my profit goes into my office.”
“I’m not asking you to pay for any of it,Jaanu. I have sufficient liquidity and investments to cover the cost of the building and renovations. And with the company’s expansion, I’d rebuild that capital. I want to know if you see us living there for a few years. And if children start to come along, would you be willing to raise them there until we find another place? I don’t see us living in the middle of Midtown forever. It shouldn’t surprise you, but I want to marry you, Sia. I’m just waiting for this drama we seem entangled in with our families to blow over.”
Probably not the best way to say it, but when Anastasia wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me as if her life depended on it, I knew she hadn’t cared. Our kiss lasted a good sixty to ninety seconds before she broke away.
“I love you, and spending my life with you is my goal. As for where we live, maybe one day, living in a community or in the country in a house will appeal more, especially with kids in the mix. But as of right now, I love the penthouse and the expansion idea. If it’s doable, it sounds wonderful. If you’re positive you can afford to buy the building, and it won’t affect the company or its financial stability, I’ll support you one hundred percent. As for the renovations, I can help with those. No arguing, because you won’t win,” she warned.
Letting out a muffled shout of glee, I was the one to kiss her this time. It was a long time until we surfaced. I didn’t waste time contacting Mr. O’Brien to discuss the deal.
Anastasia: Chapter 18
Everyone was gathered for dinner. Iker had been able to coordinate himself and his people to come on Sunday. We ended up doing it at the penthouse because it had more room than my townhouse. The timing was perfect because we had news to share, the good kind.
Mom planned the menu, we shopped for the ingredients together, and then we cooked it together. Reign assisted where we’d allow him. We made it a combination of American and Indian classics.
In addition to Poe, Iker, and Chad, we met three others who have been watching over Mom and me. For some reason, I was surprised to discover a woman named Delphine was part of it. It sounded sexist, and I chided myself silently for making the assumption that only men would be part of the security team. The second was Kristof. As for the third, it was someone I’d already met, Sawyer from Lustz. He confessed that he not only installed security systems but also took on security guard/bodyguard assignments.
With Sawyer and Iker there, I wondered if they’d say anything about Lustz. Reign must’ve read my mind because he took me aside and assured me neither would mention it in mixed company. I wasn’t ashamed of what we did, but I preferred to have the discussion with Mom alone, not in the middle of a group.
The chatter around the table was boisterous and varied. Laughter was common. Mom and I were praised multiple times for the food. Anyone would just jump in and open a topic.
“I heard you got some news on Friday,” Iker said out of the blue.
I blinked and glanced from him to Reign. There was only one form of news I’d gotten on Friday. Reign’s expression read,I didn’t tell him.
“What news?” My man asked.
“The one where the cops arrested the two masked robbers who hurt Stasia in the dry cleaners’ robbery. The duo who had been randomly hitting up various businesses,” Iker replied.
With everything happening with my family, Sam, and Reign’s brother, and, on top of that, Reign’s decision to buy the building and expand the penthouse, I’d completely forgotten about the men. I figured they’d remain unsolved crimes.
“Yes, I did. They caught them when they tried to rob the wrong place, and the owner was ready for them. He and his large family of former and current military and law enforcement personnel stopped them in a heartbeat. I guess the two dummies didn’t do their homework very well,” I admitted, smirking.
Everyone chuckled.
“That’s for damn sure. Well, I’m glad they caught the bastards,” Sawyer muttered.
“How did you know about them? Reign tell you?” I asked Iker.
“Nope, he didn’t, damn him as for how, I’ve got connections all over the place. Detective Ethan Saller, who was heading up the case, told me. We had drinks last night,” Iker admitted.
Others asked questions about the case, and Iker answered if he could. By the time he was finished, the next topic came up.Reign mentioned it. We were seated at the table, allowing the main meal to settle before getting dessert.
“Since we’re sharing positive things, Sia and I have some news,” Reign announced.
