Chp 7

I sit quietly in the great room. Tea cup on the window sill. I watch the grey, lighten to sunny rays play across the grounds. I hear the silence and feel the still air wrap, wrap me in its calm embrace. How far a few days have change my world. From captain of my destiny, to love sick fool. I fought the world for control and order, now release those bondage coils into the calming hands and loving embrace. How lucky I've become. The solitary man to have found the catalyst to family, love and fraternity with friends and family. I feel at peace. The nightmares have fled, the chaos I embrace, the love I feel spreads and encompasses my world. I sit a sip and watch the new day brighten, has myself does so. I could never be happier or calmer than now as loving arms encase me, sweet lips caress my neck. Anna! My Anna is here, with me, for me, always forever more us, just us!

1 hour later:

The world is Chaos! I should have fled with Anna to our bed room. The last morning is awash with luggage, and food, cleaning, and ugh everyone is yelling and screaming, talking and not listening. I see Anna rush about helping. I try but Taylor drags me away to deal with Ros.

"Christian, we have the press straight. But several outlets are demanding more or they'll do in deep on Anna."

"Fuckem Ros. Anna already give PR a complete rundown on her life. Any slander or libel will deal with in court. I am more worried about my past, blowing up. But Anna know everything so it's only my family I need to deal with."

"ok, the Bismarck deal is nearing completion, so a trip to New York is scheduled for two weeks. The Taiwan deal is hitting rocks, so plan on first of next month. And the Dafar package is entering final planning."

"ok. but know I plan on working from Portland until Anna Graduation."

"Christian, I'm happy for you, and Anna. But you have a billion-dollar company to run. Don't lose site of the ball, or I will have to kick it a few time, get my drift, lover boy"

"Yea, Yea, Ros I get your drift. Remember you were like this last year with Gwen, and did I kick your ball about spending four months in New York so she could finish her master's degree, no I didn't. so ha. Ha. Ha! Bye love you"

I leave the closet I've been in for my business call. The house is even louder ad more confused. How is this possible. I find Taylor and Sawyer on the porch sipping coffee and grinning. "What?" "oh nothing Christian, just remembering moving a SOG battalion to Iraq or Afghanistan was much easier and quieter, and saner." "yea, you didn't have women in charge, specifically Grey woman, or Miranda" "yes sir. We lucked out Anna's and Gail have us, and them both packed and loaded three hours ago." Any time you want to we can leave?" "Except their both helping the others, so we're stuck." "Yes Sir. Here's some fresh Irish coffee, to calm your nerves." We stand here for a while talking and just relaxing.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I found a house in Portland near the college. Security and privacy till we move to Seattle in a few months. Anna loves the house. She's planning on her friend Kate moving in. they been roommate's since freshman year. I can't deny her anything. Besides we have room. Elliot is stopping by to help move the girls stuff over here. Sawyer has taken Anna to Sea-Tac to pick up Kate. Katherine Kavanagh only daughter of Emmons Kavanagh of Kavanagh Media. I've had dealing with him. Usually ok, standup guy, but sometimes slimy, especial in his personal life, multi affairs. His Son Ethan appears to be ok, but something Anna said about him being creepy, sticks with me, I alert Taylor to dig.

The only fight; is Anna having to stop work at the Hardware store. Taylor final convinced her that security would never be able to protect her there. I arranged for a part-time job at a language Translation company I use. The owner was immediately impress with Anna resume. Even told her without me she would have hired her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sea-Tac airport 11am: Kate

Apov:

I wait at the gate for Kate, my best friend. I wonder as I wait what are relationship is. Kate the extrovert, the daring, the slut, the 4.0 student, the insecure, the loyal, the lost little girl. I have never thought so deep on my friend. She has so many good qualities and several bad. What am I introvert, timid, loyal, 4.0 student, insecure, lost, now sexual, only Chris so I can't say slut. I dwell on the thoughts till I see Kate.

Shit, she looks broken. Physical, and emotional. She wanders aimlessly down the corridor, a stewardess helping her, is she drunk? "Over here! Kate! Kate! Yes, I'll take her" she looks lost, smell drunk, her body in a shapeless sweater and slacks. She falls into my arms and cries and cries? "Sawyer! here is her ticket, see about the luggage. I'm taking her to the car." Ignoring me he picks her up a carries her to the car, Reynolds is driving. Then leaves to get the bags.

"Kate, babe, talk to me, please?"

"Annie, I hurt, I hurt bad." She cries and whimpers. I check under her sweater, shit she's black and blue bruise everywhere. I don't know what to do. Wait. I don't need to know. I need Chris's. I call him. "Chris I need you. Something wrong with Kate she all bruised up and crying. She wouldn't stop." "Anna, have Sawyer take you to Seattle Memorial Hospital, my mom works there. She'll be waiting when you get there. I'll meet you as soon as possible, love you" Sawyer returns with one carry on, "She didn't have anything else?" what Kate with no bags, usually six or eight? "Christian says take her to Grace at Seattle." "Why?" I lift the sweater. He jumps into the front and away we go. Kate is rocking and whimpering the whole time. I fear the worst.

Grace is waiting in the emergency room intake as we arrive. Quickly Kate is taken to a room. The bruise and welts are horrific. She been beaten, savagely. Grace and another doctor check; no rape. Thank god. I hold her hand and whisper words of care and love. Grace sedates her, she'll be admitted to the hospital. Chris and Elliot arrive; I melt into his arms. I release all the fear and tension into his broad chest and loving arms. What has happened to Kate?

After a while I get up. "I need to call her parents." Chris nods and looks to Taylor. Taylor walks over and takes my hand and leads us to a conference room. I look around not understanding. Chris sits and pulls me into his lap. As Taylor sets up a speaker phone. Carrick walks in and sits along with the Doctor from earlier. The phone rings.

"Mr. Kavanagh, it's Anna Steele, Kates roommate."

"Yes, Miss. Steele." I've never heard him so cold and aloof.

"Kate in the hospital in Seattle, she's been hurt. Someone attacked her?"

"Well, it was only a matter of time, with her slutty ways. I will tell her mother, when she surfaces from her European vacation. Don't bother to call again. Gooday Miss Steele." Hangs up.

I stare around the room. Everyone is stunned. Taylor dials another number. "Park and Wilson Security. How may I direct your call?" "MR. Parks, Jason Taylor calling."

"Taylor, what can I do for you?"

"Katherine Kavanagh, she arrived here this morning bruise and beaten."

"Yes, I know, I had her put on the plane." "What? You ass, explain."

"Miss. Kavanagh is no longer my problem. Or her family. She was disowned effective this morning. I understand she refused her father demands. Also tell Miss Steele that eviction notices are in the mail. But with her landing your boss, I'm sure he can find a bed for her to fuckin. I understand your upset, well so fucking what. Receiving end sucks." Hangs up.

I feel Christian burn, rage, and angry seep up from the pit of his stomach. Carrick states forcefully "Christian, I will handle this. Son, do you hear me." Christian looks over "My problem, my cure!" "no. No! I will handle this. You will help Anna and you both will help Kate. We (looking at Taylor who nods) will deal with asshole Kavanagh and this Parks. You need to focus on the girls." I feel Chris nod. I feel him relax. I kiss him. "We will get thru this." He winks and cuddles me. When we surface for air the room is empty.

I sit with Kate thru the night. Chris snores softly on a couch nearby. Just after dawn she wakes, terror in her eyes and body. I hold her till she knows she safe and with me. "Kate your safe. You're in a hospital. You're with us babe." "Us?" "yea me and Christian." "how did I get here; I can't afford this? I have to? I need to? we have to move, daddy kicked us out, I'm sorry Annie." "Shu, Shu, babe I know. I talked to your dad. He's an asshole, what happened?" "he, he demanded I marry this older friend of his, when I said no he had Ethan beat me, till I said yes. But I never did. I escaped and Parks found me and dumped me right back to Ethan and daddy. Till they threw me out and Parks put me on the plane." "how long?" "right after Christmas." "Kate your safe with me. We have a new house to live in and Chris will help you get financial in order to graduates. After all your slated to be valedictorian, remember." "Anna I can't?" "Kate you carried me for three years I can carry you for four months." "Anna?" "No Kate, this is how it is" she fades back to sleep. I hear and see Chris rise and leave the room. I know Taylor and Carrick are getting called. Carrick will not let Kavanagh get off scot free. I smile. I know my man. This is no getting sweep under the rug.

I rest holding my girl. She needs me. My dad called piss-off. The Apartment manager is a VFW buddy. Ethan arrived a thrashed the apartment, what was left. But Elliot and Miller, with a GEH crew already moved us out. Ethan tried the new house, but Elliot put him in the hospital there with a broken arm and missing teeth. Daddy said it's all legal, even got Ethan arrest for breaking and entering and assault. Carrick is happy about this. Ethan has played, himself right into box; An Kavanagh is unable to get him out. Security is tight. I hold my girl. She whispers about all the times she was abused at home and how no-one would help her. Her mother tried but her own abuse drove her away. I weep she could have told me sooner; I would have found a way to help. Taylor get a phone call thru to her mother. She heart broken, but can't do anything to help. Kavanagh media wants to attack but we hold most of the cards. With clear incite and proof. Kates lock box held everything. Video, tapes, confessions.

The next morning, I awake; still in bed with Kate. She had a rough night. Chris is sleeping on the couch. As the door bangs open and Elliot burst in with bags. Good smelling baked good, and hot food from Gail, sweet motherly Gail. "wake up the food is here, with your favorite brother, brother-in-law, and an ah future boyfriend. Hello gorgeous I'm the better looking Grey, Elliot. Would you like some tea or coffee?" we stare at him. Kate shakes and tries to grin. I get out of bed and start sorting the food Gail has sent. Christian is already sipping coffee and mooching a muffin. I turn. Elliot is sitting on the bed, holding a cup of coffee and a soft scone.

I think Kate and Elliot are starting a bumpy ride called love and commitment.