CHAPTER 7
Taylor's POV
Holy Shit! He is going to destroy the place. I have to get him to calm down. There is blood everywhere and he has broken so much shit already that I can't tell where he is bleeding from. It's time for me to get into combat mode and assemble the troops. He is so far gone, he's not going to notice what I'm doing anyway.
"Gail" I whisper, motioning for her to come over to me. She came running when all the noise started. "Go lock yourself in my office and call Dr. Flynn. Tell him that Mr. Grey is having an episode and has become a danger to himself. We need him here immediately. When you know he is on his way, wait twenty minutes and call Dr. Grey. Do not elaborate about what is going on, simply tell her that he had an accident and will probably need some stitches. In the interest of privacy we would rather not bring him to the hospital. Did you get all that, Gail? Now GO!" She nods and takes off running to my office. That should buy us some time. I hope Flynn gets here first, I can't let Dr. Grey see the Boss like this. Who am I kidding? It'll be a miracle if Flynn doesn't have him committed anyway.
I have seen him mad before. Hell, I've seen him in the throes of those god awful nightmares he has but I have never seen him like this. He is pacing back and forth mumbling incoherently. He heads to the kitchen and I take this opening to go get Sawyer.
"Luke, we are gonna have to take him down before he really fucks himself up. You get behind him and I'll back him up towards you. When we get close enough, tackle him, ok?" Luke nods at me and goes to position himself behind the Boss. I think he is going to come out of the kitchen but instead the fucker pours himself a drink. Maybe we won't have to subdue him after all. He calmly puts down the glass and walks around the breakfast bar. Luke is trailing a safe distance behind him. I think he is going to sit down but no such luck. The insane bastard actually picks up the stool and hurls it at the floor to ceiling windows. Thank God for bullet proof shatter resistant glass or someone downstairs would be having a very bad day right now. At least he's out of the kitchen now and I give Luke the signal to move. In a second, down goes Grey in a heap of flailing arms and legs. Damn, this kid is strong. I'm sitting on his legs with Luke spread across his arms. He is still kicking and screaming but it's more of a guttural cry than a scream.
I have only heard that sound in one other place in the world and that is from the poor bastards that were blown up in battle. He is in immense pain except in his case I know it has nothing to do with any physical pain he is feeling. This is a pain of the soul.
Suddenly he stops fighting. He is chanting, "Please, let me go. Please, let me go!" over and over again. I think it is safe so I give Sawyer the ok to release his arms. While giving Luke a look that says, "Stay close just in case this goes bad." When I am confident that he is not going to hit me, I release his legs. He shuffles backwards on his ass until he hits the underside of the breakfast bar. He pulls his knees up to his face and starts rocking back and forth. Flynn better get here soon.
Flynn's POV
I just received the strangest call from Gail, Christian's housekeeper. She wouldn't go into details but for her to have to make the call instead of Taylor or Christian himself, this must be really bad. I had better bring my med bag with me just in case. I have never had to sedate Christian before but there is always a first for everything, so better to be prepared.
When I enter the penthouse I am shook to the core. Christian is on the floor hiding under the breakfast bar, rocking himself for comfort. I catch Taylor's eye and silently ask him to come over. I need some background to know how to approach the situation.
"Taylor, what happened here? How long has he been like this? Is he medically stable? There is blood everywhere, do we have to get him to a hospital?" I am ticking off questions in my head as I go along. He was doing so well lately too. I can only imagine this has something to do with Anastasia.
"Hey, Doc. He lost it about an hour ago. From what I can tell all the blood is from multiple wounds to his hands and feet. He will need a lot of stitches but medically he will be fine. Dr. Grey is on her way to patch him up so we have to work fast. We can't let her see him like this." He says pointing to Christian.
"What was it that started his downfall?" I ask needing more information.
"Well, He and Ms. Steele had a falling out last night and she left him. He had another nightmare and then found out some rather disturbing information regarding Ms. Steele and Mrs. Lincoln. The last straw was when he received a package from Ms. Steele returning all of his belongings. He destroyed everything around him until we tackled him to get him to stop. He has been in that same position since then." He says solemnly.
"Have any of you tried to approach him?" I ask. I knew it had something to do with Ana.
"Yes, both I and Gail offered him food and water. I also offered to help him to his bedroom. He hasn't said a word. He just shakes his head and continues rocking." Taylor says, his voice laced with concern.
Ok, well at least he is not catatonic. Hopefully, I can get him to move. I walk over and kneel in front of him, making sure to take a non-threatening position. I do not touch him so as not to startle or scare him.
"Christian, it's me, John. Can you hear me, Christian?" I ask in a low soothing voice. No response.
"If you can hear me, please stop rocking. Ok?" He stops immediately. He has reverted back to when he was four years old and wouldn't speak.
"Christian, I need you to stand up and come sit with me on the chair over there. Your Mum is on her way and we can't have her seeing you hiding under a table, now can we?" I give him a reassuring smile.
"No one is going to hurt you, I promise. I am here to help." I ask Taylor to come and help me get him up and to the chair before he can freak out or refuse.
I see the change is his eyes as we are walking. The look has now changed from fear to confusion. Hopefully, he will bounce back quickly.
"What is wrong, Christian? What are you thinking right now?" That is not a question I usually ask him but this is not the usually dominant CEO here either. I need to see if I can get a verbal response from him.
"Well, John. To be completely honest, I am wondering what the fuck you are doing here and why I have blood all over me." He says raising his eyebrow at me in question. It seems we may have caught him in time after all.
"What is the last thing you remember?" I ask. I don't want to put memories in his head or shock him into a relapse. Taylor is standing in back of Christian taping on his watch. I have to work fast. Grace must be close.
"I remember coming into the great room to open a package from Anastasia and breaking the picture frame that was in the box. That's it." He says. The pain in his voice when he says her name is evident.
"Ok, in the interest of time, I am going to tell you something very quickly. Then I am going to make myself scarce for a while. I will not leave so if you need me I will be here. It would seem that you had a blackout. You not only broke the picture frame but also the coffee table, some vases and some glasses among other things. Gail is cleaning some of it up right now so as not to scare your mum. When the Security team tried to subdue you, you cowered under the breakfast bar and wouldn't speak to anyone. That is how I found you when I arrived." He doesn't say anything just looks around surveying the damage and nods.
"I will delve into the cause of your little "episode" once Grace leaves. But right now she is on her way up and you are going to have to be coherent enough to deal with her. I don't know what or how much you are going to tell her but since Gail told her you had an "accident" and the coffee table will be the hardest to hide you can stay along those lines." He still does not respond, only nods.
"Christian, you are going to haveto speak to her. Are you alright to do this? I can stay and talk to Grace if you need me to." I say snapping my fingers in front of his face to pull him into reality. I'm starting to doubt that leaving him alone with her is a good idea.
"No, John, I'll be fine. Taylor will stay close by so that the questions don't get too personal." With that I go to hide out in Taylor's office. This way I can watch the CCTV and tell if any intervention is needed.
Grace's POV
Something is off about this situation. Gail calls and tells me that Christian had an accident and needs stitches but won't tell me what happened. If it was just a little accident then why didn't Christian call me himself?
I know the answer the minute I walk into the room. Gail has done a good job cleaning up but no one could have hidden this much destruction. This was no accident. Christian is sitting in a chair with a broken coffee table nearby. He is looking down regarding the wounds on his hands and feet. I walk over to him with purpose.
"Christian, dear, What happened to you?" I ask as if I really expect him to tell me the truth. Taylor is standing close by as if protecting him from something, maybe me.
"It's ok, Mom, just a stupid accident. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and fell into the coffee table. I put my hands out to break my fall and that is when the table shattered. I must have been hopping around because of the pain and that's how my feet got cut too." He gives me a small smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
"Ok, If that's what you say. Let's see what we have here and start getting you cleaned up." I say with a smile as if I believe that nonsense story he just told me. It was a very well rehearsed line of bull shit. I think they forget sometimes that I am a Doctor and as such am trained to be very observant. I quietly set about my work while taking in my surroundings.
It was a good idea to use the coffee table as the main part of the story seeing as the fact it has been crushed is clear as day. I also notice that everything glass in the room has been removed. They did miss one thing however and that is the big box that is sitting off to the side of the room. It seems to have several of Christian's belongings in it with a smashed picture of himself and Ana. I really hope she has not ended things between them even though that seems to be the only conclusion I can draw. I've never seen Christian so happy as when he is with her. She is the only person he has ever brought around and they were always smiling at each other and giggling. She is such a nice girl and she really did seem interested in Christian for him not his money. I remember one time specifically when we were having Grey Sunday dinner and she was very interested in how we got Christian to stop fighting as a teenager. Mia, having the big mouth that she does had told Ana about the brawls he use to get into as a young boy. I of course sang Elena's praises and told Ana of the after school job she had given him and how he straighten right up. You could see how much she cared in her eyes even if she hadn't admitted it yet. I decide to test the waters and see what response I get.
"So, Christian, How is Ana? I would have expected her to be here with you." I stop my work and sneak a glance up at my beautiful son.
"Um, No mom, she's not here. She had to leave last night. Kate and Elliott are coming home tonight." He says as explanation. I can see the hurt and pain in his eyes.
"Well, ok then tell her I said hello. She really is a sweet girl." He says nothing in response. I wish I could stop his pain.
"Ok, Christian, I'm done here. I will leave you a prescription for Percocet to ease the pain. I used dissolving stitches so they will fall out on their own. I do not envy you when you try to put on your shoes though." I stand up and gather my bag. I want to ask so much more but I know better. Christian has always been very private about personal matters and Taylor is so fiercely loyal to him that there is no way he'll tell me anything.
"Thanks. Bye Mom." He leans up and kisses me on both cheeks. What I wouldn't give to be able to hug him.
Taylor walks me out to the elevator. "I'm glad he has you, Taylor." I say to him as I walk out into the foyer. I haven't seen Christian look so broken since I found him when he was four. Over my dead body will he get like that again. I think I'll go pay Ana a little visit.
Flynn's POV
"So Christian, are you ready to discuss what the coffee table did to deserve such a brutal attack? I ask taking a seat on the couch across from him. He has not moved since Grace left. I am truly worried about how Grace bringing up Ana affected him.
"I guess it was its mere presence that offended me, John." He says in his usual sarcastic tone.
"That seems like a bit of overkill doesn't it? I mean you could have just asked it to leave." We both know that the coffee table is the last thing we are talking about right now.
"I didn't want it to leave." He surprises me with his response but I give nothing away.
"Ok Christian, as much as I love our banter let's get serious. Why don't you tell me what got us to this point? I ask. I want to know his version of events even though I have no doubt he will distort them in some way.
"She backed me into a corner. She touched me and asked me to trust her. I couldn't do it." He looks down sadly. "I thought she was trying to trap me. I lost my temper and we said awful things to each other. She just made me so mad. I physically dominated her, told her I'd never let anyone else have her and then I pushed her out." He is rubbing his hands together and looking up to me for judgment.
"By "pushed her out", I am assuming you mean emotionally." This is an easy assumption, he does it with everyone even family.
"No, I literally PUSHED her out of the door and then slammed it in her face." His stare has become cold at the memory.
"Do you feel sorry for that now?" God, I hope so.
"I did for a minute but not now. She deserved it. I might not have known it at the time but she deserved everything she got." He is getting mad now. I had better get to the root of this quickly.
"You have never laid a hand on a woman without consent before. Why does Ana deserve such treatment?" I speak evenly. I want him to work this out for himself even though I am very sure of the reason.
"Because she BETRAYED me. I saw the tapes of her and Elena's encounters. She has been keeping secrets from me since the beginning. They made a deal for me like they were swapping a piece of merchandise." He screams at me.
"That is a very harsh way to view the situation. Did you ever consider that in saying she got to "keep" you, she simply meant in her life without Elena's interference?" I say. I have seen the tapes. Taylor had them played for me while I was waiting for Grace to leave.
"No, I guess I didn't think of it that way. But it still doesn't matter. She kept many secrets from me not just that. I was right not to trust her." She spits at me. He is just not seeing it. I try a different approach.
"Fine, enough about Ana for right now. What about Elena's betrayal? She went behind your back and contacted Ana first. Yet this fact doesn't seem to bother you at all. You never even mentioned it. Why are you not mad at her?" I'm trying to make him see that he only cares about Ana and that is why.
"Elena, is Elena. She's just protective and I am mad at her." He waves his hand as if to dismiss the subject. I'm not so easily distracted.
"But she has been your "friend" for years. It doesn't bother you that she would try to destroy your relationship with Ana without asking you about it first?" I goad him.
"I'm not really sure I like the way you say "friend", John." He is stalling.
"Please, Christian. You are quite aware of my views on your "relationship" with that woman. It would seem now that Ms. Steele also shares my assessment. Hell, half the world would share my assessment. Why you can't see it remains beyond me but I don't want to argue about that with you now. Tell me. Why does Ana's betrayal mean so much more to you than Elena's? You wanted her as a Sub, didn't you? It's not like you really CARED about her, right?" I try the combative approach.
"FUCK YOU, John! I changed for HER! I broke all my rules for her. We went places together. We did things together that I've never done with anyone else. For Christ sake, I shared a bed with her. I told her about my past. How could she do this to me?" He is pacing the room running his fingers through his hair.
"What exactly did she do to you? She kept a secret or two. All she did was want a little affection from you and you denied her." I am back to talking calmly.
"I know what you are doing, John. You want me to admit that I care for her. Well I won't do it." Now he is acting like a child.
"No Christian, you are wrong. I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. And I don't think you care about Ana. I think you are downright head over heels in love with her. What you intend to do about that is completely up to you." To hell with this if he isn't going to draw the connection himself I'll do it for him.
"John, you know I am not capable of giving or receiving love." He must have thought that was funny because he is smirking at me now.
"Whatever you say, Christian. Just think about this for a minute. If you knew that yesterday would be the last time you ever saw Ana, how would you feel?" I am really being quite serious now.
"I would feel like someone was suffocating me." He says sadly.
"That's my point exactly. Had you ever felt that way about a Sub before? Just please think about it. I don't want you standing in this same room, years from now wishing you had made a different decision." I sigh. "With that I take my leave. You are never dull, Christian." I smile.
"And you are never cheap, Dr. Flynn. Goodbye, John." He smiles back and walks me to the door.
"What are you going to do about Mrs. Lincoln?" I ask as I am leaving.
"Oh, don't you worry about that good Doctor. I will handle Elena Lincoln." He smirks at me.
"That is exactly what I am worried about my dear boy." I can only imagine.
Ana's POV
I've read every manuscript I brought home from work and now I'm bored. I listen to my music through Kate's computer but every song seems sad. I left my iPod at Christian's so I don't have my own music to play. It's been about three hours since Christian received his little "present" but there has been no word. I really don't know what I expected but I guess anything would have been better than nothing. Kate is not due home until later this evening but I am losing my mind waiting.
There is a knock on the door. I'm not expecting anyone but maybe it's word from Christian. I run to the door trying not to look too excited. I open the door and am shocked out of my shoes. It's Grace!
"Hello, Ana. May I come in?" She says. She doesn't look happy. She couldn't possibly know about me and Christian yet.
"Um, I'm sorry. Of course, Grace. Where are my manners?" I'm looking down at my feet. Grace is a lovely woman but I'm a little nervous as to why she is here. I step aside and let her in.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" I try to be polite.
"No, Ana. Thank you. I have very little time before my shift begins so let me be blunt. You look like shit. What happened between you and my son?" Holy shit! What happened that made her be the one to come over about Christian.
"Um, nothing. Is he ok?" I ask. Please let it go. I'm close to Grace and I'm so close to breaking down right now.
"No, my dear he is not ok and by the looks of it neither are you. So are you going to tell me what happened that is making you both look like you've taken a trip through hell and back?" She is looking a little exasperated now. That look has obviously been passed down. Christian has the same look.
"I don't know what to tell you, Grace." I start to say, tears now running down my face. I am stammering when the door flies open.
Kate? It's Kate! I must have had the time wrong, she's home early. I think I am saved but not this time.
"Ana?" She yells running through the door but stops when she sees Grace.
"Hi, Grace. What are you doing here?" Kate asks always the reporter. Grace just motions with her head toward me.
"Ana, Jesus what's wrong with you?" See I knew you had to be observant to be a reporter. But I am weak now. The two of them there staring at me is all it takes for me to break.
"He doesn't want me, OK! I asked him to trust me and he said he couldn't then he told me to leave. I sent him back all his stuff today hoping to get some response out of him but NOTHING!" I yell at them now with full blown sobs. I'm sitting on the floor Indian style when they both come running to my side.
"Oh, Ana. Forget him. If that is the way he is going to treat you then we'll find you someone that will appreciate you." Kate says. She never really did like Christian.
"Now, Ana wait just a minute. I am not one to meddle in my son's affairs usually but I saw him this morning. Ana, he was broken. I haven't seen him so broken in… Well in a really long time. That is why I came to see you. What I saw this morning was not a man that was ok with you leaving. Quite the opposite actually." Grace looks lovingly at me.
"Oh, Grace. I LOVE HIM so much but he can't give me that. He said so himself. I don't know what to do. It's only been a day and I miss him already." I sob into my hands.
"It's ok, sweetie. We'll come up with something. Won't we Kate?" Grace says reassuringly.
"Of course, Grace and I have just the plan but we are going to need Elliot's help." She has a sly grin on her face. She's up to something. But with Grace's help it might just not be illegal.
Christian's POV
Flynn has left and I called Elena over for an early dinner tonight. I have plans in mind for her. She will pay for going behind my back. After tonight the relationship between myself and Elena will never be the same.
I have contacted my Lawyer and had him send over some preliminary documents to me that I need for tonight. It's one on the perks of being filthy rich. People are at your beck and call 24/7. I asked Gail to make a very special dinner. She was very helpful and happy to do it until I told her who dinner was for. I guess Flynn was right. Everyone but me could see her for what she truly was.
Right on time Taylor comes to alert me that Elena has arrived. She is nothing if not punctual. It makes me sick that I am actually going to sit through a meal with her.
"Hello, Elena. Do come in." I say kissing her on both cheeks which is our usual greeting.
"Christian, Darling. I was so happy that you called. It has been too long." She coos. Be happy now Bitch, it won't last.
"Come let's sit and have dinner. What have you been up to lately?" I ask walking into the dining room and taking my seat. She seems a bit annoyed that I didn't pull out her chair but fuck her.
"Just busy with a little problem but it seems to have been handled now." She smiles.
We make small talk during dinner and I give her every opportunity to tell me about Ana but she never does. I can't believe this is the woman that I have called friend for so long. She knows she is the reason for my pain and still she sits across from me smiling. I have had enough.
"Elena, it was wonderful having dinner with you again. Before you leave please come to my office with me for a minute. I have something to give you. "I say with seduction oozing in my voice.
"Of course, I'm right behind you." She is smiling from ear to ear.
"Over there on the desk are some papers I wanted to give you regarding the business." I say shutting the door tightly behind us.
She looks over them and her face goes pale. "Christian, what is this about? It says you are pulling out of our partnership. That you are gifting the business to me."
"That's right Elena." I half smile back at her.
"Is this about that mousy bitch, Anastasia!" She is trying to use her Dom tone and failing miserably. "I did that for you! I had to make you see. She is no good for you. She actually had the nerve to threaten me!" She looks like a cornered animal. Good. I stalk over to her pulling myself up to my full height and assume my Dominant stance.
"ON YOUR KNEES, ELENA! NOW!" I growl at her. She hesitates for only a second but then licks her lips and does as she is told. She kneels in a Submission position at my feet. I grab her hair tightly in my fist and yank back hard. There is a time when this scene would have made me rock hard but now it just makes me sick.
"Is this what you like Elena? Is this what who you wanted to see? LOOK AT ME!" I pull her hair up harder.
"Yes Christian! You see this is what I can give you. This is what I can do for you. She will never be what you need" She whimpers. I can tell how turned on she is.
"Well, take a good look at him Elena. Take one last look at the Dom you think you created! Because after right now you will never see him again! I am done with you, you evil Bitch! On Monday my lawyer will contact you with the final papers. You are never to come near me or Anastasia again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" I sneer.
"You're making a big mistake." She says. She actually thought getting rid of Ana would make me fuck her again. She's crazier than a shit house rat.
"TAYLOR!" I yell leaving her on my office floor.
"Yes, Sir." He is always there when I need him.
"Please show Mrs. Lincoln out. She is to be taken off the proscribed list of visitors effective immediately. And Taylor, make sure to change all the codes to Escala as soon as possible." I swear I see him grin. Was I really the only fucker that liked her?
Now, I have to figure out what to do about Anastasia.
A/N – Sorry for the wait. This one kicked my ass. As always thank you for reading and reviewing. I apologize if I haven't responded yet. The next chapter will be shorter so it shouldn't take as long to get out. I promise the next chapter will have Ana and Christian see each other again.
