Chapter 3 - Trust and cakes
Soundtrack: Sofia Karlberg - Crazy in love. Fifty shades version.
(This song got me through my complete re-write, particularly the gym scene! Pretty sure my family and neighbours are sick of it!)
CPOV
"I don't give a fuck what he wants! Cancel the meeting, and if he doesn't like it, tell the fucker to take his proposal elsewhere." I growl down the line. I don't mean to take my mood out on Andrea, but clearing my schedule for Monday is turning out to be a fucking nightmare. There's no way I'm missing our first scan, so they can all lump it. And on top of it, Taylor informed me of something this morning that has my blood at boiling point. I am fucking furious.
"He's not going to be happy, Sir." She sighs, knowing full well I'm not budging on this.
"Then by all means, suggests he takes his fucking business elsewhere." She grunts a response before hanging up. Yeah, I've been an asshole this morning. With good reason.
I want to kill somebody. Slowly. Painfully. Dropping my head to my hands, I circle my temples and attempt to breathe somewhat normally. My fingers are trembling with anger, my head throbbing due to the constant tension in my jaw.
"Fuckkkk," I roar, picking up a paper weight and sending it flying full force into the wall; missing the tinted glass by mere inches.
Taylor comes crashing into my office, his eyes doing a full scan of the room. He takes another look at me, then the wall before planting his ass down in one of the leather seats next to my desk.
"Have you decided what you want to do?" He asks stoically, his face giving nothing away.
"Right now Taylor," I exhale, "I'm considering the likelihood of my legal team getting me off a murder charge." I know it's the anger and frustration talking, but I won't lie and say it hasn't crossed my mind.
"Whatever you... We... decide, we need to play this carefully. You know she's going to come back at you via Ana. How far along is she?" He asks, my head shooting up to meet his gaze. He does know then!
"About six weeks. We'll find out for sure on Monday." I continue to rub circles around my temple, this damn headache won't piss off.
"Congratulations." He nods, a smug smile plastering his mouth. "Gotta say, never thought I'd see the day, boss."
"Yeah," I breathe, returning his smile with a satisfied grin of my own. "She's something... Everything..." I mumble.
"I won't let anything happen to her boss, but you need to shut that woman down and leave no chance for retaliation. We aren't just talking about a personal matter here, Sir. Your life's public now."
"You think I don't know that!" I bite. "What do you suggest?"
He lifts an eyebrow and nods his head. "Leave it with me... Keep your enemies close and all that shit... You up for a meeting of the financial kind?"
"With her? Do you want me to end up in prison? Because that'll be how it ends!"
"No, you won't. You've got Ana and a baby in the forefront of your mind... You need her close, Grey."
"Fuck... You're lucky I fucking like you. Where's Ana?"
"Studio."
"Give me an hour. Financial status still the same?"
His impossibly smug smile gets larger; which gives me the only answer I need. "Get all the paperwork to me. Set it up." I confirm.
APOV
I fall into the back seat of the SUV after a long morning on the set. I am dog tired. I really want to head back to the apartment and take a nap before Christian gets home. However, I do need him to sign a few checks to pay the contractors who are working on the house; and I told them I'd head up there this afternoon and settle the current invoices so I need to get it done. Thank god we should be wrapping up filming in the next few days and I'll only have promotional to do until we start on the final movie. I can focus strictly on the wedding and the house.
"Where to?" Sawyer asks, Carter busy on his phone.
"Grey House, please."
It's hot out so I take off my jumper, working around the seat belt as I do and pull my hair up into a ponytail. The drive to Christian's office doesn't take long; it's not far from the Seattle studio.
We are there before I have a chance to phone him and warn him I'm coming. If he's busy, I'll leave the checks with Taylor.
Sawyer flanks me into the building. As usual I'm greeted with friendly smiles and bulging eyes. I don't think his staff have seen me here enough times to get over the whole 'movie star' thing. I smile politely back and head straight to the elevator that'll take me to Christian's floor.
The cart flies up, indicating our arrival with a few pings. "He must be busy..." I look around, Andrea his assistant is nowhere to be seen and the reception is dead quite. Sawyer takes a seat. "I'll just leave these on Christian's desk and write him a note," I inform Sawyer before tapping lightly on Christian's closed office door; just in case, then slipping inside.
The scene that greets me has my breath caught in my throat. "Wh...Why?" I stutter in shock, watching breathless, and not the good kind either as Christian's head snaps up to meet my confused, yet angry glare.
"Fuck," I see him mouth, running his hand through his hair in panic.
"Anastasia." The smug bitch smiles, leaning forward to run her hand over Christian's forearm. He shudders, yanking his hand back his eyes never leaving mine; panicked and pleading with me to hear him out.
I don't want to. It's not like I walked in on them fucking or anything. But Elena? He knows how much I hate Elena. He knows. And he promised me he was cutting all ties with her. Yet here they are looking as cozy as cozy can get while looking at something on his desk.
"Baby..."
"I... I um... I'll leave these on Andrea's desk." I hold up the checks and back out of the room as fast as my legs will take me, bursting through reception. I bolt straight to the elevator and start pressing the button repeatedly.
"Ana..." Sawyer jumps up.
A door flies open behind me with a bang, and I have no doubt it's Christian.
"Ana, wait." He begs, running towards to me.
"I have to go," I mutter and exhaling when the doors open. Stepping in I press the ground floor button and stare at the wall.
"Stay the fuck here..." Christian yells at Sawyer, nudging him out of the way so that we are alone in the elevator.
"Ana... Please." He stands in front of me, tilting my face up with his hands on my jaw. "It was business."
"You're doing business with her?" I shout, letting the disgust seep into my tone.
"It's not what you think. I promise you."
"Like you promised me you'd never see her again." I retort.
"Baby..." He leans forward, stopping the elevator in its descent before it hits the ground floor. He brings his face back and rests his forehead against mine. He smells like Christian; sexy and manly and fresh. I want to inhale him into my senses, but I'm too angry. "You're going to have to trust me here. I love you. Please trust me." He mumbles, his mouth brushing the sensitive skin of my neck.
"Sir. I'm assuming the elevator is fine and there's no need to call in maintenance?" Taylor's voice inquiries through the little speaker situated next to the emergency stop button.
Christian steps away hesitantly, pushes a button and informs Taylor everything is fine. I use the few seconds to try and gather myself together. I steeple my hands in front of my face and take a few deep breaths.
Christian turns back to me cautiously, a look of worry still etched on his face. Grabbing my face, he lowers his lips to mine, lingering for a beat when I don't reciprocate. "Ana..." He whispers, his lips brushing mine.
"I trust you... I just need to go. You know how much I dislike her, everything she has done and stands for. Why would you do business with her?"
"I know... God I know. You're just going to have to trust me. I can't..." He murmurs, his lips still achingly close to mine.
"Why can't you tell me? I know 'your' business is just that - your own, but fuck... We are getting married! Married! You should be able to tell me everything."
He stares at me, his eyes glued on mine and I can see the pain behind the stare. He wants to tell me, but he won't.
I step out from him and hit the button to get the elevator moving again. "I have to go," I repeat my words from earlier, desperately trying to keep my voice from betraying my emotions. I want to hold him, I want to kiss away the pain in his eyes, but he also needs to learn that we are a team now that he needs to learn to talk to me, especially when it comes to contact with the raving bitch.
"I love you." He wraps his arms around my shoulders from behind resting his chin on top of my head. "I love you so much."
"I know. I love you too, babe, but I still have to go." I hold up the checks he needs to sign; which he takes, just as the elevator doors open.
"Baby, don't leave like this." Tightening his grip on me, he won't let me out of his hold. Instead, he walks me forward into the expansive reception area and leads me to a private space behind a large marble pillar.
With no care to his employees who are currently mulling around, he traps me up against the cool surface with his hands either side of my head.
"I swear it's nothing. I will tell you about it... Just not now," he nibbles on his lip nervously. "Kiss me." He breathes.
"Christian," my eyes graze the area, letting him know we have an audience.
"You're about to become my wife. Men kiss their wives in public all the time. I'm not letting you go until you kiss me." He grates a little more forcefully.
He moves in, his scent attacking my senses. God he smells so good. I soften under him, inhaling deeply.
"There's my girl," his smooth voice wraps around me and I know if he tries to kiss me again I won't be stopping him. A hand drops down and cups my cheek. Then his mouth is over mine.
I whimper, my body turning to mush as he glides his tongue into my mouth and very slowly rubs it against mine. Delicious shivers run through my body and I have no option, but to return his actions. My hands glide up his chest until I reach his neck where I wrap my arms around him and press my body to his.
"You okay," he asks, sweeping his fingers across my cheek.
I nod, my lip trembling, partly in lust but mostly emotion. I want to fucking cry. I lick my lip trying to halt the urge but based on the looks he's giving me I'm doing a shit job of hiding my emotions. "No, baby don't cry."
"I'm just tired. I'm so fucking tired, and," I stop to wipe away a small tear. "I'm feeling exhausted and a bit nauseous, so I'm going to go home..."
"Jesus, babe. Give me ten minutes and I'll come with you."
"I'm fine... Stay."
I reach up and kiss him gently, then smooth his suit jacket and walk away. If Elena weren't exiting the elevator as I walk past, I know he'd be following me. I don't know what he's up to, but I do trust him. Whatever it is, it better be good.
CPOV
Everything inside me is screaming to go after Ana. To take her home, care for her. Fuck Elena. Revenge can be executed another day. Deep down, I know that this isn't going to work if I don't gain Elena's trust. As much as it breaks my fucking heart to watch Ana walk away looking the way she does, I don't really have a choice, not if I want to pull this off.
I spend the next hour talking to Elena. It takes every ounce of self-control not to crush her right then and there.
Remember why you're doing this Grey.
She leaves, and I know I've got her when she stops at my office door and asks if she can meet me next week to discuss 'business'.
"Yeah," I bite the inside of my cheek, "call Andrea and set something up. Just not Monday." I smile, my body boiling with the need to just shout, yell, swear or throw something; anything but smile.
The seductive smile she throws me before she leaves makes my stomach heave. It's for Ana. It's for Ana. I repeat in my head, swallowing back the bile threatening to escape my mouth.
Swiping my keys from my desk, I grab my spare gym bag and storm out to the elevator.
"I'll be at the kickboxing gym," I grunt as I breeze past Taylor, letting him know that I want to be alone. He should understand, he was the one who lay this all on me after all.
Sweat is dripping down me, my eyes sting, arms ache.
Smash. Smash. Smash.
Every ounce of anger I feel gets thrown into the boxing bag.
Thump. Grunt. Roar.
"Fuck... Fuck. Mother fuckerrrr." I shout, rapidly forcing my fists into the heavy canvas bag.
I go until I can't continue. Until my whole body aches, my mouth is dry and I'm struggling for breath. Only then do I drop to the floor and look up at the ceiling.
How could she? How could she sit there and look me in the eye knowing full well what she had done?
Peeling my sorry ass off the floor I head to the showers; the whole gym empty at my request and expense.
I stand under the stream of water, letting it flow over my bowed head. When the water is stone cold, I drag my feet to the changing area and throw on my clean sweats.
I should have headed straight back home to check on my girl; my pregnant, nauseous girl. But I needed to release some of this anger because the last thing I want is to take it home and taint Ana with my past, and obviously present.
Sitting on the bench, I run the towel over my head several times. I look up when the metal door swings open, my heart expanding in my chest.
Ana.
"Wh...What are you...?"
"Taylor told me where you were." She shrugs, sauntering over to stand before me. "Hey," she runs her fingers through my hair and angles my face up to hers. She kisses my forehead, brow, cheeks and then the corners of my mouth. With each kiss, the heaviness in my head lightens. This is all I need. Ana.
My hands creep up to her stomach, resting on her belly, "I'm sorry about today. You're right. You are my everything and I should be sharing everything with..."
"Sssh," pressing a finger over my lips she effectively quietens me. "I told you I trust you. I hate when we are 'off'. I just needed to feel you." Her hands glide over my shoulders and down my arms. "She touched you." She growls, her fingers stroking the area of my forearm Elena had touched, her touch soft yet fiercely possessive. "Mine." She leans down and covers my arm in delicate kisses.
"You fucking own me..." I groan, her fingers clutching the bottom of my sweatshirt and lifting it up and over my head. I raise my arms to help her then lower my hands to grip her thighs; running them up to push her tight sweater dress to her waist. "No fucking idea how much you own me."
Sliding my fingers into the back of her panties, I squeeze her ass and yank her forward. Instantly her mouth is on mine; exploring, cherishing, loving.
Fuck she makes me crazy with lust. Climbing onto my lap she straddles me; her mouth never once leaving mine.
"You make me crazy, baby." Words escape me on a throaty groan, her hips rolling into my crotch causing a maddening urge to rip her panties off and fuck her right here. "Not here... I want to take my time with you."
Her hands that have been roaming my bare torso stop. Her breaths short and sharp in my ear. "Take me home."
I stand with Ana still wrapped around me. I need to clear this up before I go home. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing here, but I do know, without a doubt, that I will not start off this marriage with secrets. I need to tell her what I'm up to and why.
Lowering her to her feet, I cradle her face. "Do you remember when Elena turned up at the apartment?"
Ana's forehead creases in confusion, the gorgeous flush on her face disappearing at the sound of Elena's name.
"How could I forget?" She mutters.
Taking a deep breath, I brush my lips across hers before continuing. "You were asleep. I was booking you an early flight to LA. No one knew you were going to be there baby, so when that fucker followed you... I needed to know how he knew you were there..."
"Oookay..." She drawls, her voice hesitant, her hackles up. She's bracing herself because I think she knows what's coming.
"Taylor's been on the pap's wife case... She gave us a phone number from his incoming call log... Three calls, one of which was that morning..."
She's shaking her head. "I'm sorry baby. I left my laptop open on the counter. Your flight details must have been onscreen..."
"Elena?" She whispers, her eyes watering at the reminder of that day. "She called the paps on me?" I take her trembling hands in mine and hold her against my chest.
"I'm going to crush her baby, CRUSH her. But in order to do that I need her to trust me."
It takes a long while for her to respond, her face blank of expression but her eyes full of fire. "W... What are you going to do?"
"She is up to her neck in debt... I'm going to offer to help, then pull her business from under her. I'm going to destroy her and the one person who can help her... Her ex-husband. I have shares in his company. With Elena's and mine combined I can squash him too."
She rubs her forehead and exhales. She's never seen this side of me before. I didn't get to where I am by being nice.
Her eyes are squeezed shut and I can't gage her reaction.
"I nearly lost you because of her. I won't ignore this." I add firmly.
"I know. Just... Please be careful." She wraps her arms around me and gives me what I need. Acceptance. With her body pressed to mine she kisses me softly. "Take me home." She smiles tightly with a flick of her tongue to my lip.
Thank fuck for yoga. I watch Ana come down... Her chest heaving in front of my face, body misted with sweat, thighs still trembling. Her feet are tucked under her as she straddles me. Depleted she arches her back and drops backward, resting her head on the bed. She's bent right back, so she's completely open to me.
What a fucking view. I look down at where we are connected. Fucking perfect.
Catching my own breath on a shudder I run my hands up her thighs and stroke her sweet spot; causing her to shiver and haul herself back up. She grabs hold of my hair in a death grip and kisses me feverishly. Teeth biting at my bottom lip, nails scratching my head; letting me know she wants to go again.
"You're insatiable, baby." I smile against her ravenous mouth.
"Mmmm, that's because you love me sooo good..."
Flipping her over so that I'm above her, I grab her hands and stretch them out above her head. Writhing beneath me she grinds her hips up; her eyes open, piercing mine with a desperation that has my body pulling back and slamming into her; giving her exactly what she needs.
Today I'm being dragged to a cake sampling. Okay, maybe not dragged. I fucking love cake, but I don't eat it very often so I'm more than up for a healthy dose of it today.
Ana had an early morning yoga class. She's hell bent on staying in tip top shape now that we know we are expecting, so she's taking extra classes. It's good for her and definitely helps with her leg. I'm not complaining about her flexibility either, last night was fucking perfect.
I take a much-needed shower, dress, then have a quick coffee before I head out to meet Ana, who is going straight from yoga to the cake shop.
"Are you sure this is it?" I ask Taylor as we stand in front of a very girly, very floral looking shop. The shop itself is situated in the rose garden setting; complete with water fountain out the front and a white trellis privacy wall that borders the staggered brick path.
"This is it... And there's your soon to be wife... So yeah, I think we are in the right place." He laughs, looking around at the fairy garden. "I'll wait in the car."
I watch, my thumb playing with my bottom lip as Ana walks towards me; her little cream, spaghetti strap dress swishing around her thighs. It's one of the dresses she got from a local designer she's been raving on about.
"You made it," she beams, reaching up to greet me with a tender kiss. I kiss her back, wrapping my arms around her waist as an older, dark-haired lady introduces herself.
"Hi, I'm Linda. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Christian, nice to meet you too." I remove an arm from Ana's waist to shake her hand.
She ushers us inside, passing through a room with a display of amazing cakes. Fuck it smells good in here. She then takes us out the back door to a private courtyard where there's a white leafy, iron, outdoor seating arrangement; adorned with pink floral cushions. Fuck me.
Feeling very much out of my comfort zone - I don't even think Mia is this ...girly. I pull out a seat for Ana then sit down next to her.
There's a pitcher of ice tea on the table - with what I can only assume is potpourri floating in it, and very feminine looking china waiting with cake forks ready for our samples.
"Help yourself to tea, I'll be right out." She smiles before floating back through the door.
"Fucking hell," I breathe causing Ana to laugh.
"I missed you this morning." She leans over and wraps her arms around my neck. Inching closer she peppers kisses on my lips, giving me a playful flick of her tongue.
God I live for her kisses. Her lush little lips; warm and soft. Her breath is sweet and consuming.
"I feel like the Queen is about to march through the door and wrap me over the knuckles for acting inappropriately." I breathe, on a groan. God damn she's going to get me in trouble here.
"Mmm... Sshh. Give me a kiss." She demands. I indulge her, taking her lips in mine and kissing the hell out of her. Breathless I pull back, fixing the strap of her dress and brush the hair from her face.
"You look beautiful," she smiles at my compliment; until I hook my finger into the front of her dress and tug the fabric away from her skin; taking a peek at her chest.
"Hey," she laughs, swatting my hand away.
"Just making sure..."
"Making sure of what?" She frowns; attempting but failing at trying to keep a straight face.
"Baby, it looks like there's nothing under your dress. I didn't want you leaning forward and giving someone an eyeful of my tits."
"And are you satisfied with the strapless bra I have on?" She arches an eyebrow while waiting for me to respond.
"Very." I nod, giving her a cheeky wink. She rolls her eyes, then helps herself to some tea. "How are you feeling this morning? Okay?"
"Good. Better now that I've had my morning kiss," her eyes flutter open and she looks up at me over the rim of the teacup. Those fucking seductive eyes have me by the balls. If she's upset about the revelation last night of Elena's involvement in her accident, she's not showing it. Not wanting to dampen her mood or taint our wedding with anything to do with Elena I decide to leave it.
I'm about to move in for another kiss when Linda appears with two plates in her hand. Each plate has a perfectly presented miniature cake on it.
"I do apologize." She focuses on me. "We don't usually have the husbands accompany the women to these tasters." She motions to the place settings and floral themed area.
"Don't worry about me. A cake is a cake however it's served." I reply. Ana stifles a laugh, nearly choking on her mouthful of tea as she does. She knows me well. I feel awkward here and about a butterfly embossed saucer away from turning into a fucking princess.
"This looks good," I look down at the little yellow cake eager to dig in.
"Lemon cake with a layer of lemon curd." I dig my fork in, breaking away a piece; lemon curd oozing out of the lemon sponge, then put it in my mouth.
"Oh, that's good..." I mumble through my mouthful. "Baby, you have to try this."
"Can I share yours? I don't think I could eat a whole one, not with the amount of cakes we'll be trying."
I look at her then look at my cake. "Sorry babe, I'm not sharing this." I cut another piece and put it in my mouth on a shrug.
Ana looks at me like I'm crazy before cutting into her own miniature cake with a scowl and lifting a little slice of heaven to her mouth.
This continues over the course of nearly a dozen cakes. We taste flavors ranging from cookies and cream, triple chocolate fudge, red velvet, coffee and walnut, and a very personalized cake made with Ana in mind - vanilla hazelnut cream with a layer of the softest truffles I've ever had.
By the end of the tasting session, I'm almost at the point of popping the button on my jeans. I couldn't eat another cake if I tried. Ana however has kept to her dainty little slices and had the rest boxed up to take home; the only cake she devoured till the end was the hazelnut truffle cake. No surprises there.
"Baby, you're going to have a stomach ache soon." She laughs, wiping her mouth with an embroidered cotton napkin.
"It was so worth it."
"So what do you think?" Linda asks, clearing the last of the plates. "You have a few layers so you can choose several if you like."
I look at Ana, who is looking at me. "Well, the truffle cake is a given, I like the chocolate fudge and vanilla butterscotch... Maybe the lemon. Actually definitely the lemon." I offer my opinion.
"Yes, definitely the truffle. I like the butterscotch and the chocolate fudge as well..." She looks toward me, her lips pursed in thought. "Maybe we could get a second cake made up for the rehearsal dinner and have the lemon? I don't think it'll blend well with the rest of the cake that's all."
"Sounds good to me." We both look to Linda, who nods and heads back inside. She brings back a folder of cake designs we can choose from for the lemon cake. We decide on something basic, just a simple three tiered circle cake with a bit of fancy embellishment work on top.
I slump back into the seat of the SUV when we leave, all the cake I've eaten catching up with me. "I knew you'd feel sick later." Ana gloats, cuddling up next to me and rubbing my stomach in a show of sympathy.
I open one eye and look at her, she is watching me her eyes sparkling, skin glowing. "You can take me home and help me burn it off." I wink, offering her a sly grin.
"No can do. I have to drop by the dressmakers and have some dresses altered. Then I need to swing by the studio and grab a few things I left behind." She pouts, sitting up in her seat and rummaging through her bag for her phone.
I close my eyes on a sigh, regretting my over-indulgence. If I didn't want to spend the day with Ana, I think I'd go home and sleep it off.
"Kate and Elliot will be back tomorrow," Ana announces excitedly looking down at her phone as Taylor pulls into an empty parking space at the shopping complex. Remembering the footage of Ana here a few days ago I exit the car before her, so that I can be at her side with Taylor. There doesn't look to be anyone around; thank fuck. Probably because we are in the SUV that Taylor and I used this morning, and not the one Sawyer is currently driving back to the apartment. No doubt they'll be parked up outside Escala when we return.
Ana leads me into the small boutique; Taylor waits outside.
The shop is small with racks of dresses. Definitely a women's shop. Not a men's shirt in sight.
Ana introduces me to the store owner Jo, who proceeds to take Ana away for her fittings.
If it were just Ana trying on dresses, I'd be in that room with her dress pushed up around her waist and her feet digging into my ass. Sadly, she's not and I'm bored as fuck.
I knock on the door and push it open. Ana is standing in her little strapless bra and white lace panties. Dragging my eyes up her body, I inhale deeply. I'll never tire of seeing her in practically nothing. Jo is rummaging around in a drawer so I step up to Ana and kiss her quickly. "I'm going to shoot across to the coffee shop and grab a latte, do you want anything?"
"No thanks babe, I'm good."
"I'd say perfect sums you up better," I glide my fingers over her stomach, my eyes fixed on hers. She closes her eyes, a shiver washing over her.
"Taylor's outside, don't leave the shop until I get back. I won't be long." I take her lips in mine again forcing a barely audible whimper to escape her mouth. Giving her ass a quick squeeze, I tap it then drift out of the room then the shop.
"Stay here, I'm going to grab a coffee," I instruct Taylor before taking off to the coffee house a few shops over.
I order a latte under the scrutiny of the customers, all of whom have their eyes glued to me. As long as they leave me be its fine. Before I met Ana it would have pissed me the hell off, now I expect it. People are curious of her, they idolize her and therefore those she's close with. Not even Kate and Elliot can go out these days without being followed or recognized.
I take my latte from the barista who holds onto it for a moment too long, the urge to say something, or ask me something clearly evident on her flustered face.
"Hi..." She breathes.
"Hey," I reply nonchalantly, I don't owe her anything else. A friendly chat with a stranger is not what I'm about.
"Can I have your autograph?" She asks with wide eyes.
"Why the fuck would you want my autograph?" I shoot her a bamboozled look. Ana, I can understand, but me? Being the asshole I am I turn and stroll out of the shop leaving the girl pouting. The hushed conversation at table not halting as I walk past.
"I heard they are getting married at his parents' house." I pick up on bits of conversation as I weave past the tables at the entrance.
"Really? I heard they were marrying in Hawaii."
Keep speculating fuckers.
My phone vibrates in my pocket as I hit the path in front of the store. Fuck! I look down at the name. I will be getting a new number as soon as I've handled this.
"Elena," I answer, my chest thumping rapidly.
"Christian, darling. I was phoning about the business meeting I suggested. Wednesday afternoon?"
"See you then." I hang up. No need for small talk.
I head back to my girl needing her close me and wanting a distraction from the shit that is my past.
"Wednesday," I inform Taylor as I reach the shop. "Get everything ready. That bitch is about to find out what happens when you push me too far. I want you on Ana from now on. Elena or her ex are not to come within five miles of her Taylor. Promise me."
He nods. "I'll protect her like she's my own, boss. You want Ray in on this?"
Do I? She's his everything as much as she is mine. "Yeah. Make the call. Tell him I'll phone him tonight."
I enter the shop and head straight to Ana, who is slipping back into her little cream dress. "Ready to go, baby?" I wrap my arms around her waist and bury my face in her neck; not giving a fuck about the dressmaker beside us.
I hear Ana take a sniff of my neck. She sure does love my cologne.
"Yeah. Let's go."
