Married to the Mob?

Ch 9: At the mall

Again this story is being told in third person and their thoughts are shown in Italics.

Christian was waiting for Anastasia to arrive at the mall. He sent her a package that had the Ink blots in it from their class. Christian admitted to himself it was a bit childish to tease her but he couldn't himself.

Ana wasn't like any woman he'd ever met before. She was beautiful, smart, funny. Christian had been around lots of women, the last one was Leila. Her father was a member of 'their family' so to speak. Christian's mother and Leila's father always wanted them together.

However; he had other ideas. Christian broke it off gently with her, as he had his wild oats to sow. The boss called him and informed Christian to look for his brother's killer. Never in a million years did Christian ever think he would get involved again.

Well, he's not involved with Ana yet. As soon as he looked up, Christian saw her walking around the Santa's Workshop they have set up in the middle of the mall area, she was holding the package he had sent her. He went up behind her, tapping her on the shoulder.

"Ho, ho, ho."

"Christian, you startled me," she gasped, turning facing him.

"Oh, come one, Ana, this has got to be the safest place in the world. Lots of people around, seeing Santa and shopping. It's regular carnival here," Christian said in his smooth voice, picking up some of the fake snow they spread around the Santa shop.

"What do you want?" Ana asked him.

"Well, I thought we could kill two birds with one stone so to speak. We could do a little shopping as we talk."

"I mean this, Christian," Ana replied showing him the inkblots he sent. She continued saying, "I don't appreciate what you did and what you're doing now," she replied turning away from him.

"What am I doing, Anastasia?" Christian asked, knowing exactly what he was doing.

Ana turned around. "Stop following me, stop taking the same classes I'm taking, don't call and don't send me things. And stop trying to intimidate me," she said, walking away.

Christian didn't think anything could really intimidate Ana, she had an inner fire and steel that pulled him to her like a moth to a flame. Christian thought he was getting to her in a much different way altogether. Maybe Jose has more of a hold on her than he thought.

He pulled her back to him and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Please let go of me," she asked politely.

"Ana, didn't my card say I'm sorry? Look, I know I crossed a line when I kissed you in the parking lot, and what I said in class. You have to realize that I'm very attracted to you. I find that most women throw themselves at me, but not you."

"So that's it then? I'm supposed to fall head over heels in love with you?" Ana asked condescending.

"Not exactly. But surely you feel the connection between us."

"The only thing I feel towards you, Christian, is…" her voice trailed off. Christian stepped closer to Anastasia, making her lose her train of thought.

"The only thing you feel is what, Ana?" he asked, in a husky voice.

"Look, Christian, we're not doing this. Just stop following me, I have no idea what happened to your brother and frankly I don't care."

"Okay. Well... what if I told you I think my brother's death was an accident and there's nothing I can do about it and there was only...us," he said, as he lowered his voice, and looked into her eyes.

Christian was chanting in his head over and over again, 'There will be an us someday.'

Ana shook her head at Christian knowing full well he wasn't dropping the search for his brother's killer. And now he was talking about them like they were in a relationship, like they were a couple...Ana shook her head, he couldn't mean it. It had to be just a ploy to find out about his brother.

Christian asked her, "Why are you so upset, Ana? I thought you'd be happy that I'm dropping my investigation of my brother's death."

"Because, you will never be over your brother's death. And as for us... there is no us. I love Jose, I'm with him and there is nothing you can do to change that." They walked around a bit when Ana said to Christian,"Whatever it is you're trying to pull, forget it."

"What do you think I'm pulling, Anastasia?" he asked her.

"I think you're trying to throw me off that's what. You're in the mob, you kill people for a living, Christian. I know you're trying to get me to step aside so you can go after Jose. It won't work, I'm not that easily intimidated. So go find someone else to bother. Besides, it's all a big game to you isn't, Christian?" she said giving him the Ink blots back.

Ana walked away from him thinking or hoping he would get it and leave her alone.

Oh baby, it's not a game at all. In fact, what I'm feeling, doesn't come close to what I've felt with other women. You'll see, Christian said to himself. Ugh! She is so damn frustrating, he said to himself, as he ran a hand through his hair. But at the same time just being near her, I felt a crazy pull towards her, Christian thought as his cell phone rang.

"Hello," Christian answered, "No, not yet. I know, I know it's taking a long time. But I think I may be making some progress. Believe me I want to find whoever killed my brother as much as you. Yeah, I will." He hung up with his boss. Who wasn't happy this is taking so long. Christian needed to find the person responsible and soon.

After leaving Christian, Ana walked around the mall about on the other side of the Santa's Village She saw Jose and Kate together with Frank's son from the diner. Ana saw Jose lean over and kiss Kate on the forehead.

I can't believe this! Ana said to herself just started walking the other direction, not liking what she just saw.

Later Ana saw Kate standing outside the diner, and she was a little calmer now, but was still furious with what she seen earlier.

She walked up to Kate and asked her, "So did Santa give you what you wanted?"

Kate smiled and just looked at her as Ana continued saying, "I saw the way you had your arms around Jose at the mall."

"Excuse me miss paranoid, Jose and I took Buzz's son to see Santa Claus. Besides, he kissed me, not the other way around."

"Oh yeah you must have hated that," Ana said to her snidely. Kate had been trying to get with Jose since the very beginning.

"I'm so tired of being accused of me coming onto him when you so damn insecure yourself."

"I completely trust Jose, it's you I have the problem with," Ana replied.

"No, Ana, the problem is in your head, my dear. Yeah, I think you're loving all this attention you're getting. First Jose and now Christian. Yeah must be real tragic to have two hot guys panting all over you."

"Are you crazy! You really are sick if you think..."

"Oh no, I think I'm right. We both know that Christian has the hots for you and you know what? I think you're loving every minute of it!"

Ana looked at Kate as if she was crazy! Christian and me? That will be the day.

"So you actually think I like Christian's mind games?" Ana asked.

I admit Christian is hot, but, I'm not leading him on by playing his mind games with him.

"Oh yeah or you're really good at faking it."

"I can't believe this! You really think I'm getting off on this. Maybe you get off on thinking all of the guys have the hots for you and I don't need that kind of attention for an ego massage!" Ana shouted angrily.

"Not with Jose and Christian massaging it for you, that is." Kate pointed out.

"I don't like Christian Grey, the guy gives me the creeps. But then I am the one keeping the lid on whom killed his brother, so he doesn't hurt you guys in the process. I'm the lucky one that gets to deal with him."

"Think what you want Ana, I don't care. "

Ana questioned her saying, "Excuse me?"

"You and I both know exactly what happened that night, Ana. Don't go acting all innocent here."

Ana laughed at Kate, she couldn't believe Kate was saying this.

"So you're saying I should throw myself to Christian to save you? You just want me out of the way so you can have Jose all to yourself."

"Whatever. All I'm saying is that you're supposed to distract Christian so he won't be gunning for Jose," Kate said back to Ana as Jose walked out of the diner.

He asked them, "What are you two talking about?" He looked back and forth between Ana and Kate. "Something's up with you two. What were you just talking about?" he asked again.

Kate answered Jose saying, "Just girl stuff really."

"Well, what do you say we go inside and grab something warm to eat, like soup?" he asked Ana.

She looked back him and suggested, "No I'd rather not because I don't have any more classes today and I thought we could spend some time together," Ana replied, leaning in and kissing him.

Kate cut in saying, "I would say get a room, but unfortunately we all share that one."

"Well, we could go to the movies. Maybe you can scare up a date and join us?" Ana asked her snidely.

"Oh thanks, but I think I will pass this time," Kate said looking at Ana..

"Well, suit yourself," Ana said as she and Jose walked off arm and arm together. Take that Kate, Ana thought to myself.

A/N: Any one want to guess on who killed Elliot and why? All those questions will be revealed soon. A lot of you have been back and forth.