A/N: Once again, thank you everyone for the amazing reviews and words of encouragement. I wish I had time to update this story more than once a week, but until my children go to school next month, that won't be possible. As it is, next's weeks A Steele Love chapter will be delayed. We are heading for family vacation in Texas on Thursday. I'm not sure yet if A Submissive beginning will be prepared with time for me to sneak a posting in on Friday. However, Grey Vitals will be posted on schedule for this week and next week as well.

Most of you know, I am on Facebook now under Steele Heart and I am in several of the Facebook groups. Also, pinterest has boards to follow along. The links for each are in my bio.

Now to address the private messages I received last week. Several of you expressed concern that Ana had PTSD and didn't break down enough for you in the last chapter. Ana does not have PTSD. She could have easily succumbed to it, but she found a way to persevere. Not every case of sexual trauma result in PTSD. Just as not all cases of soldier/marines returning from war result in PTSD. Not everyone with PTSD is a simpering emotional girl, or a violent abusive criminal. I try to not write about things I don't know about. I won't say I am a computer genius, nor do I work for the CIA or any government agency. However, when it comes to the other aspects of Ana's life, I know what I'm talking about.

In A Steele Heart, Ana talked about shooting at the on-post gun range when she was eight years old. Several someones messaged me and proceeded to tell me that was impossible. It's not. I was shooting my father's beloved colt .45 when I was eight years old, and I was good at it. I still am. My daughter was three the first time we took her to the gun range, on-post. It was her birthday and she wanted to shoot her grandfather's .22. She put a couple of soldiers to shame out there as well. While she wasn't a dead shot immediately, she could at least hit the paper, all she needed was a little support holding the weight of the rifle. It's about safety and proper teaching. Knowledge is power in our home and my husband I have chosen to raise our children much like we were. If it's done safely, there is nothing to fear. My daughter will be eleven soon, and has asked for her deer tags this year as part of her birthday presents.

Anyway, I have gotten off topic. Before you grab your pitchforks and tell me I'm raising a couple of future murders because I let me children handle guns, remember from previous A/Ns, my children are military children. They are around them daily from birth. Hell, my daughter was born on the opening day of rifle season for deer hunting, and when my son was born, my husband had to leave for part of the day to check our weapons to the men and women in his unit for shooting qualification training. This is the life they have been raised in, and I was raised by a wonderful country man. My father, god rest his soul, taught me everything I know, and though my husband has been in the military for 14 years, I can still out shoot him when it comes to handguns. He's got me on the rifle, as he should, but my daddy taught me everything, from a young age, and there is nothing wrong with that.

I hope you all enjoy this story, and please remember it is my story. Thanks a million to the AMAZING Gate Park, the greatest beta in the world. She helped make this chapter incredible, even with the amazing tv night we had last night. I may have slacked off on finishing my chapter of Grey Vitals, but come on. We had Big Brother, Game of Thrones, Phelps vs. Shark. Then my husband and kids needed to watch the wrestling pay-per-view. I was lucky I made it to bed before midnight and I still need to watch the dvr from last night.

As always, I don't own FSOG. I am loving playing in EL's sandbox though.

Ps. If you message me on Facebook, I might be persuaded to share the photo of my daughter at the range on her third birthday. It's quite adorable, and she's wearing camo overalls. She refused to take those overalls off for her birthday party as well, which was Tinkerbell themed. She wore her tutu and fairy wings over the camouflage and it's one of my favorite photos of her ever.

Laters

A Steele Love

Chapter 3

Ana's POV

'I will not break down in front of these men. I will not break down in front of these men. I will not break down in front of these men. I will not break down in front of these men'.

I repeat my mantra over and over in my head. It's been 45 minutes since I demanded my father be called. He's going to be so pissed. The Colonel doesn't take kindly to his little girl being hurt. He's never going to be able to look at me the same way again. Until I met Christian, I had never told another person every sordid detail of what happened in Texas. My dad knew that my mother was neglectful. He knew that her husband was verbally abusive. He knew that I tried to tell the police in Texas what had happened to me, but they called me mentally unstable and threw me in juvie for three weeks.

When I went to the training farm in Langley, I had to meet with a psychologist. I had to pass all the necessary psychological evaluations. We spoke briefly about what Brad Matthews had done to me. While I didn't give her the full details, it was easily perceptible that even though I was emotionally scarred from the ordeal, it made me a more focused agent. Instead of needing to talk it out, or instead of turning to drugs, or alcohol, I found healthier outlets. I started mixed martial arts training. I kick boxed. I might have gone a little over board with that hack on the Matthews family, but it turned out okay in the end. I've never hacked another person, business or country without it being sanctioned since then. I found additional positive outlets. I take relaxing vacations to reset my mind when life gets to be too much. I read, though not as much as I would like, I've volunteered at a few sexual assault centers after I returned to Washington. Just spending time with Daddy fishing is great for me, though I've not done that enough in the last two years. With time, I formed meaningful attachments to people. I'm not scared of the dark; I don't panic every time I a man is near. The CIA gave me the tools to overcome my outrageous and heinous attack.

But now I'm losing the agency, and my past is coming back to haunt me. I need this room cleared. There are too many people in here.

"Get them out." I have been sitting in the same chair in the same position since I asked for my father. Christian has stayed by my side and the instant the words slip from my mouth; he is back to kneeling in front of me. "Get them all out. I don't want anyone in here but my father when he gets here." I see a flash of pain in his eyes, but he knows me better than anyone. I will need Christian tonight. I will need him to keep the nightmare at bay. But this afternoon, I need him to bring me my father, and I need him to keep the pack at bay so that I can finally tell him what had happened.

My dad's image of the little girl he knew is going to be shattered. Looking at my watch I note that he should be here any minute. "I love you, Snow White. I'm going to go down to Taylor's office. Sawyer will be right out the door. I'll send Andrea in with some tea for you and your father. We'll get through this. Anything you need. I'll call Kate and ask her to come to the apartment tonight for dinner." I stroke his cheek and watch as he leans into my palm.

"I love you too, my Knight. I'll be okay. My dad won't be. Ask Taylor to turn on the cameras, but without audio or recording. If he sees Daddy start to pace, he might need to intervene. Once he's moving he won't stop until he's destroyed a few things. I'm glad that the windows are shatterproof." I try to smile and I know that it isn't working when I see his smile not reaching his stormy grey eyes.

"Alright, Princess. I love you." He places a kiss to my head and I wait to hear the door close behind him. Once I hear it shut, I'm up out of the chair and across the room. Walking to the windows behind Christian's desk, I stare at the Seattle skyline like I've seen him do so many times before. I don't know how long I'm standing there before I hear the knock at the door.

I turn to see who it is and the relief when I see my dad is immense. "Daddy!" I rush around Christian's desk and throw myself in his arms. I love Christian, but he's not my father. This man is my first hero, my first protector, and will always be my defender. I'm a sobbing mess, and I know it's because of everything that has been piled on me in the last two months. I know realistically, even if I hadn't started my relationship with Christian, things would have slowly fallen apart. Sabbah's plan had been to frame me for everything. So much could have been avoided though if Carrick had been a rationale man and let Christian and I speak with him in private. I still think that with us being unreachable while in the Maldives set him on high alert. We never touched base with anyone after New York. As far as the world knew, we were in New York to parade around for cameras and have a romantic time together. The public never knew about our mission to stop the bombing at the UN conference. Well, they won't know until my book comes out. It's the penultimate episode before I was exposed to the world as a secret agent for the US government.

"I'm here sweetheart. Taylor didn't tell me what was going on, and neither did that man of yours, but I know something is wrong. Whatever it is, you are strong. You will make it through this. I know this." His grip on me is tight. I didn't even cry like this when I made it back to Seattle after leaving Texas.

"It's all been too much Daddy. It's a bit of everything, but today... Honestly, I thought today was going to be the turning point, but people just won't leave well enough alone. I don't know how much more I can take. Christian's poor security team. I am going to need to take some of my frustration out and they always end up limping off the mat." Giving my dad a small smile as I attempt to use a little humor to help remind myself that I am ok; that I already survived this shitty episode of my youth. I take a deep breath because the next part won't be easy.

"The reason I had Jason call you though, well, my time with mom in Texas is coming back to haunt me. Christian is the only person I've ever told everything to, not even the intake shrinks at the Farm know all the details. I tried to tell the police when I was in Texas, but no one believed me. I was the "trashy daughter" of the boy's neighbor. I was accused of lying to get revenge for being turned down for a date and making everything up, trying to stay out of jail. All it took was one call from Brad Matthews' mother and I was sent to juvie for three weeks. After that I kept my head down and bided my time until I could get emancipated. Then I came home to you. I eventually found a way to get past it all, the CIA helped a lot with that, as did you and the Marines that you let me destroy while training. It's been ten years though and although I hope this day would never come, it's time I tell you what happened."

"Annie, what do you need to tell me? I remember your mother telling me that you said you hit that boy because he had been harassing you, but are you saying it was more than that?" I look at my father's eyes and I see the uncertainty and the fear there, and I know that I'm about to shatter his little girl image of me.

"Let's sit down. Andrea will be bringing in some tea in a moment." And as if she could hear me, there she is, entering the door with the tea service tray. She's even added a few finger sandwiches and crackers. I'll take the crackers, but I'm to nauseas to eat anything else. "Thank you, Andrea."

"You're welcome Ana. If you need anything else, you know what to do." She's back out the door the moment she's done speaking. I try and stall the confessions as long as a I can while I fix each of us a cup of tea. Andrea has been a dear and left the bag out, just the way that I like. Before I can pour my father's cup though he puts a hand on my own to still me.

"Tell me, please. My mind is playing some awful tricks on me. I've got all kinds of scenarios running wild."

I gulp and look him square in the eyes. "I'm sure some of what you're thinking isn't too far off the mark. I'll start with the beginning. I was so mad about moving. I hated Texas before I even crossed the state line." I take a sip of my tea and then turn toward my dad and curl my feet up under me, kicking my heels off in the process. "I never liked Stephen Morton, but it took two years for me to have a real reason. He was agreeable for the most part till not long after my fourteenth birthday. Then he became harsh in way I'd never even experienced. I've seen you yell and cut down a marine with your words, but even you've never been (as) harsh about it. Stephen would find any reason to put me down. Yell at me for things that weren't under my control. If something went wrong at work, it was my fault. He once got a flat tire on the way home. He blamed it on me. That was the first time he showed me his true colors. He sent me to my room, and when I tried to come down for dinner I couldn't. He had propped a chair under the handle to keep me inside. The next day, he installed a lock on the outside of the guest room. He didn't want anyone suspecting anything so he left my room well enough alone. The first time he threw me in there was after I had talked to you. I remember I had cried for you to come get me and he didn't like that. Told me that I was good for nothing and nothing is what I deserved. He tossed me in the room with only a mattress in the corner of the room. I was there for a day and a half; he told the school I was sick with the flu. He only let mom in the room to give me water and a salad once a day. He said I was too fat to eat anything else. That wasn't the harshest though. When I tried to tell my mom about the neighbor kid harassing me, he called me a tease and put me in there for a week. But it felt like longer. He boarded up the window and sealed it so that I couldn't tell if it was day or night. Two weeks later, I was attacked by Brad Matthews and three of his friends."

I can feel the panic rising. I remember everything about those two days, but I never wanted my dad to know this. Taking another deep breath, I continue. "I was walking home and someone grabbed me from behind, I was fifteen by this point. A hood was thrown over my head while others grabbed my arms and legs. They drug medown into Brad's basement. I was tied to a chair and held for just over two days. It wasn't until his mother came down that I was found. She released me and promised to make my life hell if I said anything to anyone. Promised to tell everyone what a liar I was if I tried to go to the police. Mom never even noticed I was gone. Stephen did though and when he came home from work he shoved me in that room again, but not before telling me what a slut I was and saying that he was taking me to the abortion clinic if I turned up pregnant after that."

Dad starts shaking and I have to stop this, "I wasn't raped dad. They kept me in the chair the entire time. They ripped my shirt and cut my bra off. They touched me everywhere. Brad shoved himself in my mouth; the others never went that far, but all they all ejaculated on me." The tears are streaming now. "For the longest time I was filled with shame. Then I was just mad. When I attacked Brad at school it was because he was telling people I gave him a blowjob for his birthday. After those three weeks at the juvenile detention home, I kept my mouth shut. I finished the school year and then I was done. I had already started applying to schools. I had planned to graduate early and get away. I almost didn't make it. Stephen found my paperwork from Harvard. He tried to make the school hold me back, but I had tricked mom into signing the papers at the beginning of the year. There was nothing he could do. He thinks he sabotaged my scholarship to Harvard, but the truth was, I never wanted to go there. I only wanted to come home to you. Then he threatened to report me as a runaway if I left. Mom backed him up on that one. So I completed all the paperwork. I got WSU to promise me housing and even my meal card and a spot in the work study program. I wouldn't need student loans. The courts granted my emancipation without a second thought on my sixteenth birthday. Stephen tried to contest it, but the judge told him he wasn't my father, so there was nothing he could do. I didn't even go home. I had the bag I wanted and I slept at the airport. I was on the plane the next day. I've not seen him or mom since."

I get up and walk to the table. I pick up the note first and hand it to him. I take the seat next to him again while I wait for him to read it. "What the hell does this all mean and who sent this?" He's still sitting, that's a good thing.

"That was received yesterday. Security didn't read through it until today though. There are pictures on the table. You'll know who sent it when you see them. Although, how he got some of them I don't know yet." I watch Daddy get up from the couch and walk to the conference table. He carefully walks around looking at each one. I see the tear that slips down his cheek when he picks up the photo of the room Stephen use to put me in. Raymond Steele is a man of strength but in that moment I see his vulnerability.

"I should have fought your mother harder for custody. I thought it would be easier on you to have a more stable home with her. I would have been a single father in the military and that doesn't excuse you from deployments." He shakes his head and continues back around the table. He stops at the chair I occupied earlier and I know the moment he sees the photograph. Fifteen year old me; covered in the semen of four of my classmates. A roar rips from his chest and with strength I didn't know he possessed he proceeds to flip the conference table over, shattering the glass table top.

Sawyer is in the room the minute the glass breaks and then he's between us. Dad looks like a man processed. Rage fills his blue eyes in a way I've never seen in my entire life. Soon, Taylor, Christian and several other members of security are in the room. I know Sawyer thinks he needs to protect me, but my father would never hurt me. Taylor whispers something in his ear and when Daddy raises his eyes back to me, I see his love for me reflected. In that moment I leave the spot I've been rooted to for the last 15 minutes and throw my arms around him.

"I'm soooo sorry sweetpea. I really am. I'll make this right. We'll find the bastard and then he will pay. I love you and I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you." He whispers how much he loves me over and over and over while hugging me tight to his chest.

I can hear rustling and glass being moved around, but I don't pull away from my father. He needs me to hold onto him right now just as much as I need him to hold me and that's what I'm going to do.

Christian's POV

Security is helping clean up the glass in the office from the table Ray overturned. He's holding tight to Ana and I know she won't want to admit it, but she needs him right now. Tonight she'll need me, and I'm okay with this. Don't get me wrong, it's ingrained in me to protect her and I hate that I can't right now. Griffin is gathering all the photographs and talking to Sawyer in hushed tones before he hands me back the envelope with the evils of Texas sealed inside.

"Thanks Griff." He's a good kid and I was glad we were able to bring him into the fold. Taylor has been really impressed with him, although I understand there is some tension with him and Sawyer. Taylor tried to explain it a few weeks ago. He likened it to sibling rivalry. Essentially, Griffin has been part of the team around Ana for years. He has been entrusted with her safety and protected her till Sawyer walked onto the scene. Now Sawyer is the number one when it comes to Snow White's safety. I told Taylor to tell them to grow up.

"Sure thing Mr. Grey. Taylor asked Andrea to have a crew clean up and replace the table, but it won't be finished before the end of the day." He suggests everyone take the rest of the day.

"I'm going to take Ana and her father home. I need you to stay and track down Ana's step-father, Stephen Morton. We have plans this weekend and will likely put this on the back burner until Monday. I want as much information as you can get me before then." I clap Griffin on the shoulder and walk toward Ana and her father.

"Snow White, let's head home for the weekend. We'll open a bottle of wine and you can call Kate over and we'll figure this out. Ray, I've already called Gail and arranged for her to set up a guest room for you for the weekend. We were expecting you tomorrow, but I'm glad you're here now. She said she was running to the store for steaks and your favorite beer when she heard you were here tonight. What do you say?" I've got one hand on Ray's shoulder and my other hand around Ana's waist once she's released him.

"I say steak and a good beer sound good tonight. Although, I might raid your good scotch tonight." He gives me a smile, but I know it's not genuine. He pats my shoulder as he walks toward Taylor. It's taking some getting used to, but I can handle the touch of most people, so long as they know my issues to begin with. When I explained to him last month, Ray was understanding and hasn't steered outside of my safe areas.

"We'll meet you there, Daddy. I need to talk to the guys for just a few minutes. I love you." Ana places a kiss to his cheek and watches him walk away before she places her thumb and forefinger between her lips and whistles, effectively getting everyone's attention.

She waits for the team to walk back over to us and circle 'round before she speaks. "From a personal security stand point; this issue will be tabled till Monday. Griffin, I need you to start my computer's deep background check program. I've got five names I need you to run; you're going to need pen and paper for this." She waits for Griffin to walk to my desk and grab the necessary items and walk back to us.

"The first two names are a given, Stephen and Carla Morton. I want everything on them when I come back in the office on Monday. I'll leave my laptop with you, you know how to run the program. The other three names are Brad Matthews' accomplices in Texas: Boyce Fox, Damon Poole, and Adam Wade." I recognize that name and I'm not sure but I see Ryan move around Sawyer and whisper in Taylor's ear prompting a string of curses from Taylor.

"Boss, Ryan just informed me that we have some old data on Adam Wade." Taylor is vibrating and I'm not sure why.

"What are you talking about Taylor? What data?" Ana is confused, and I mirroring her confusion as well.

"Remember the Coping Together Gala?" We both nod, how could we forget really? I mean my girlfriend is the only person I know who would hand over her gun and kick ass in an $8500 dress. "Adam Wade was the man in the red and white mask bidding on you." Shit!

"Fuck. What the hell? I thought we lost this guy and that you couldn't find any ties to us through him." Someone seriously dropped the ball.

"How the hell did you get this information?" Ana doesn't seem shocked to hear this tidbit, especially since we never told her about him losing his tail. I'm sure I'll incur her wrath later.

"Ryan followed him home after the Gala. Welch had run his face through recognition software before he was discovered. However, Ryan lost track of him while we were in the Maldives and we've not seen him since. The house he was at is empty and there are no property records for him around here."

"Check Rollingwood, Texas. It was the last known city of residence for all the names I gave you. I know my mother and her husband moved, but I don't know where to."

Griffin nods and Ryan follows him out the door. Ryan will want to follow up closely with Griffin and will be beating himself for failing on the Wade front.

"Taylor, dad will want to head to bed at ten. Can you pull him aside and give him a fellow Marine pep talk before he does? Also someone needs to be assigned to shadow him covertly. I have a feeling he will sneak over to Grey Manor and have a talk with Carrick before the party on Sunday. I'd like your team to do all that they can to try and prevent a brawl. I do not need Daddy coming in with bloody knuckles and Carrick with a black eye; that will only upset Grace and may cause others to needlessly wonder what is going on. Also, Mia apparently invited quite a few people not on the list. Add someone to the downstairs lobby with Reynolds. There should be someone at the service elevator and someone in the penthouse outside the elevators. I want two members of security to confirm each attendees' ID and invite. If they weren't identified via RSVP, they are not to be let up. I don't need someone sneaking in as another's plus one." Ana concisely rattles off instructions to preemptively ward of those not on the official guest list. That is exactly what I fear Leila will do. Shit, I need to tell them about her.

"Speaking of people sneaking in, Leila Williams is trying something fierce to get into this party with Elliot. He's put his foot down, but he's going to play along tomorrow so that he can bring Brooklynne to Grey Manor and finally introduce her to everyone in person. He plans to cancel with Leila when he drops Brooklynne back off at home. She's been asking about Ana and me non-stop. I wouldn't put it past her to try and get in the party, so make sure everyone knows what she looks like, although I wouldn't be surprised if she showed up in a wig. Just stick with Ana's protocols and we shouldn't have any problems." I nod to the team dismissing them. "Taylor we'll be leaving in fifteen. I need to speak with Andrea before we go."

He takes his leave with Sawyer in tow and I'm left standing with Ana. "How you holding up baby?" wrapping my arms around her rubbing her back as she leans her head on my chest, internally, I marvel that this something that was a no go for my entire life until just two months ago.

"I've been better. I wish that I had known about Adam Wade, but I can understand how the flow of information got lost during that week we returned was pandemonium. We've not had a moment to breath(e) in weeks. I thought that maybe we'd finally be able to catch a break after I talked to your father, but it seems like that's impossible. Whatever is happening though, I'm not going to let our plans be derailed. Tonight we were supposed to talk houses. I don't know when we'll be able to do that, so I say that we table it till breakfast tomorrow. Ms. Kelly told us to get her our requirements by Sunday, and give her the week to secure keys so that we can tour properties over the weekend."

"Sounds like a plan to me. Come, you can call Kate from the car." I kiss her lips softly before grabbing her hand and pulling her from my office. She'll need to stop by hers and secure her system before the weekend. While she's doing that I'll stop at Andrea's desk to give her some instructions. She's going to be restless tonight and I hope that I can wear her out instead of calling security to meet her in the gym for a "beatdown".

"I love you Christian." She's smiling genuinely for the first time all afternoon. Maybe sharing the waking nightmares that haunt you with those that love you unconditionally is truly the salve to broken parts of our souls

"I love you too Snow White."