Chapter Eight
Christian smiled and looked at Anna. She wanted to fall through the floor and disappear. Kate had nothing to do with this and now she had set Anna up without even knowing it. Kate sat down and looked at Anna and Christian. Christian decided to have fun with it.
"What," he asked innocently.
"Come one, you guys been eyeing each other since the car," said Kate.
"Kate…" said Anna.
"I don't like to put myself out there," he said timidly.
Kate smiled. He seemed sweet. Maybe he wasn't all business. He could be sweet too.
"Just ask me Christian," Anna yelled suddenly.
Kate leaned over to Anna and whispered 'calm down.' Anna closed her mouth to keep from screaming at both of them. It wasn't Kate's fault. She was just trying to be a good friend. It was Christian's fault. He was frighteningly good at manipulating situations to his will and it scared her a little. Was she just another pawn in his game? She would not allow that. He also didn't lie to her so she could trust him. She would keep her promise and figure out his true intentions soon enough.
"Ms. Steele, may I take you out sometime," asked Christian.
"Yes, Christian, that sounds nice," said Anna.
Christian mimicked a sigh of relief. Kate laughed. Anna glared at Kate.
"What, he's funny," said Kate.
Grace walked into Elliot's apartment and stopped in her tracks when she saw the destruction in front of her. He had broken everything that could be thrown or torn in the apartment. She smelled his blood. He had used his bare hands to do all of this damage. She focused on finding him. His scent led her upstairs. She saw him sitting in front of tattered bed. He was shirtless and only wore a pair of jeans. To the left of him was a large pile of beer. It took a lot for a werewolf or hybrid to become intoxicated. Wolves had to work hard to become drunk. He looked up at her and smiled.
"Mom?"
"Son, I came to see how you're doing."
He dramatically looked around his mess of a room.
"I'm fine, all of this is insured."
She became angry. She didn't care about the furniture. She was worried about her son. That morning he left without a word. She knew she deserved that so she let it go. She still needed to explain why Christian had to what he did. Elliot would have not survived an official challenge. He also would have been marked lower than an omega if word got out about how he was brutally beaten and nearly killed.
"I want you to stay with me for a while," she demanded.
He stood and looked at her.
"Whatever you want, mother," he said.
He walked past her. She wanted to ask him to put on some clothes, but decided to against it. She heard the front door close. He must have walked to her car. She walked to his closet, took out a suitcase and began packing some clothes for him. She reached for a shirt and saw that it was the shirt she bought him when he was in high school. It was a limited edition comic book cover that was released by the actual artist. He wanted it a size larger so he could grow into it. He was right; he still wears that same shirt today. She packed the shirt, maybe it would cheer him up. She zipped up the suitcase and stood. She would have to send someone to clean up this mess.
Elliot sat in the front seat of the car with his eyes closed. The driver glanced over at Elliot, then back to the front of the car. The driver noticed Grace pulling a large suitcase behind her. The driver quickly stepped out of the car and walked toward Grace. He offered to take the suitcase. She thanked him and walked to the car. She noticed Elliot chose to sit in the front. That hurt her feelings a little. She sat in the back of the car. The driver struggled to pick up the suitcase and wondered how Grace was able to pull it so easily. He then dismissed the thought. He was paid well and the Grey's were a good family. He didn't need to ask too many questions.
Carrick walked out of kitchen eating a sandwich when he saw Grace and Elliot walk into his home. The driver pulled the suitcase behind him. They all stopped and looked at Carrick. Carrick swallowed the piece of food he was eating. He looked at Grace, then Elliot.
"Son?"
"Hi, dad."
Carrick walked up to his wife and gave her a quick kiss. She kissed him back. Carrick then walked up to his son and hugged him. Elliot hugged him back a little too tightly. Elliot heard his dad groan, so he released him.
"Where's your shirt and shoes," asked Carrick.
"I was…mom picked me up from my apartment so I didn't think I needed to get dressed."
Carrick frowned a little. What Elliot said didn't make sense.
"So, you're staying here for a while," asked Carrick.
"Yeah, my apartment was wrecked so I'm staying here until I can get it straightened out."
"Okay," said Carrick.
Carrick looked at Grace. She invited their son back without telling him. Grace looked away. Carrick wanted his children to be independent. Inviting Elliot back without telling Carrick was a big decision to make alone. Grace knew that. Carrick looked back at Elliot. Elliot looked trouble. Something was up and Grace knew about it. Carrick planned to talk to Grace privately to see what was going on with their son. He hoped it wasn't drugs. The driver cleared his throat. Everyone looked back at the driver.
"Where would you like me to put this," asked the driver.
"I'll take that," said Elliot.
Elliot picked up the suitcase with one hand and pretended to struggle at the last second. He then held it with two hands above his head and walked up stairs to his old room. Carrick and the driver were shocked. Grace wanted to snarl at her son.
Anna stood in front a mirror wearing a shirt fitted blue dress; compliments of Kate. They were both nearly the same size, only Kate was taller. Anna was grateful for that, at least the dress wasn't as terribly short as it was on Kate. Kate walked up behind Anna, squeezed her shoulders and smiled.
"This is going to be so much fun," said Kate.
"You should go then," said Anna.
Kate smacked Anna's arm.
"I've already had a rich guy," said Kate.
"Who?"
"That's a conversation for another time."
They heard a knock at the door. Kate pulled Anna toward the door; then ran to her room. Anna took a deep breath and opened the door. When she opened the door, she saw Christian standing in the hallway. He wore a tailored suit that accented his physique and held a red rose.
"You look lovely, Ms. Steele," he said and handed her the rose.
She took the rose and smelled it. It was smelled nice. It was also huge. She thanked him for the rose. She didn't know if she was supposed to take it with her or not. She hadn't been on a lot of dates. He asked if she was ready to go. She decided to keep the rose with her; she picked up her small cocktail purse, walked out of the door and closed it. He smiled at her, she smiled back at him. His wolf shook his head in delight. Christian told his wolf to calm down. She would not want to see them again if he acted purely from instinct.
They walked to his car. Taylor opened the back door. Anna sat down in the car first and Christian sat beside her. Anna noticed he sat closer to her this time. She didn't mind at first. Then she remembered she was mad at him. She went to fold her arms. He gently held her arm and she relaxed in his touch.
"Please give me chance, Anna," asked Christian.
He said her first name. She looked into his eyes. He was pleading with her. For some reason she felt she could trust him, so she decided to give him another chance. She exhaled and placed her arms back at her side.
"Thank you," he said.
"Where are we going," she asked.
"It's surprise."
"Of course it is…"
Anna stood in front of a helicopter and tried to figure out what was happening? Christian took her hand and walked towards the machine. Anna eyes widened. She wasn't known as being afraid of flying but she also hadn't been in a helicopter before. Her mind was racing with each step. She had only a few more steps to decide against it. Then her courage kicked in. She had to at least give it a try. Christian would not put his life in the hands of just any pilot. They would be fine. Christian helped Anna step into the helicopter first. She looked back and saw that there were only two seats. Christian sat down in the other chair and looked at her.
"You're flying," she asked.
"Yes, don't worry, I've done this hundreds of times," he said.
"Take women up flying," she asked.
"No, just flying," he said.
He moved to fasten her seatbelts. It was important for them to be done properly. He strapped himself into his seat as well and put on the aviation headset. He spoke to the control tower and turned on the helicopter. Anna began to squeeze the arm rests. Christian sensed her anxiety. His wolf sat up as well. Both of them wanted to help her.
"Anna, it's okay. If you want, we can do something else," he said.
"No, it's fine," she said.
"You're sure?"
"Please just fly this thing before I change I mind."
"Okay."
As the helicopter began to lift and she felt every movement. He apologized. Eventually, the helicopter flew smoothly. Anna focused on the city below. It looked so different and beautiful at night. Maybe she would write about it one day. After forty five minutes in the air. He landed the helicopter on a luxury hotel. She assumed this was where they were having dinner.
Anna and Christian walked into the restaurant. Everyone there was having their own conversations eating and drinking. The hostess led them to a back room. The noise from the crowd became more distant. Where were they going? The host stood in front of a large burgundy curtain and pulled it back. There was a table for two, dressed with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Anna walked to a chair. Christian walked behind her, waited for her to sit down and scooted her chair toward the table. She hid her smile. He was such an old world gentlemen. He sat in his chair. Their waiter walked up to their table and asked for their order. Christian picked up the menu and placed his order. The waiter and Christian and looked at Anna. Anna picked up her menu and rushed through it. She decided on lemon chicken and asparagus. The waiter affirmed their choices and left. Christian apologized to Anna; he didn't mean to rush her. She said it was okay, she could lose herself in a menu.
As they waited for their food, he asked her to tell him more about her. She wasn't really a fan of talking about herself, but she knew it was important to have such conversations if she wanted to get to know him as well. She literally started at the beginning. She talked about her mother, her father died shortly after she was born. She was raised by her step father, Ray. Christian noticed how calm her heart rate became when she spoke about her stepfather. She said he's a good dad. Christian asked about her mother. Anna thought about what she wanted to say. She said that her mother was a complicated woman; a woman that needed a lot of love. Anna said her mother was on husband number four. Christian was a little surprised to hear that.
"She's a hopeless romantic," she said.
"What about you; are you a hopeless romantic," he asked.
She thought out about it.
"I guess so. I don't really know. I haven't experienced that kind of emotion yet," she said.
He wanted to run, but he knew he couldn't. If he left her again, that would be it. He had to stand by his decision and see this through. If not, it could be the end of him.
Kate walked into the club ready to have a good time. She walked in alone and planned to walk out with companion for the night. She walked to the bar and asked for a martini. She looked over and saw an attractive man sitting at the bar with his head down. Kate closed her eyes. Damn. The guy looked so pitiful. He looked like he needed a hug. The bartender handed her a martini. She asked what the guy over there was having and bought the drink. She walked down towards him, sat beside him and handed him the drink. He sat up and looked at her.
"You look like shit," she said.
"Thank you," he said.
"I only said that because you don't look like the type of guy that would come to a club like this dressed in a wrinkled t-shirt, jeans and flip flops."
"Are you checking me out," he teased.
She took a closer look at him, he was handsome. She could also tell he wasn't exactly the guy he appeared to be at the moment.
"So what's your name," she asked.
"Elliot."
"Nice to meet you, Elliot."
"Likewise."
Thanks for reading! Elliot is clearly upset and plans to cause some trouble. Hopefully, it's not too much trouble. Anna and Christian cannot seem to stay away from each other. Anna hasn't been won over completely, but she is more open to being with Christian again.
Here's a quick behind the scenes note. I cut a lot from this chapter because there were a few scenes that were nice, but just didn't work. For me, this was the first chapter I had to noticeably gut. I just wanted to share that (for some reason).
Please keep the reviews coming. I appreciate any constructive criticism.
