50 Shades of Incarceration

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians !

Disclaimer- I am not EL James and therefore do not own anything in the 50 Shades realm- the story is mine, the characters belong to EL James.

Chapter 10

CPOV

Andrea and I have just finished going over my schedule for the day when Ros sashays into my office, not bothering to knock, of course.

" Christian, you got a minute, I have an update on Esclava..." she says as she plops down in the second chair in front of my desk.

" That will be all Andrea, thank you. " I dismiss her before Ros can go any further on the subject.

Andrea closes the door on her way out and I look at Ros, " So what have you got for me ? "

" I contacted the corporate headquarters of Esclava's main competitor, Intermezzo Salon Spa. They are interested in 2 of the 3 locations, the one in Kirkland is too far out of Seattle so they don't want to deal with it. I also found something...uh...hinky...when I looked at Esclava's financials. When was the last time we did an audit on Mrs. Lincoln's books ? " she says as she throws a file on my desk.

" I don't know...every time I ask to see her books lately she has conveniently forgotten to bring them to our meetings...what did you find ? " I open the file while she continues.

" The expenses for Kirkland are twice the Bravern Center but it's not making any money so I made a call to the manager at Kirkland, Franco, who said he only has 2 stylists left working there..."

" I thought Franco was working at Bravern..."

" Apparently Mrs. Lincoln promoted him to manager at Kirkland after the last one quit. However, it sounds like he is looking for another job as he isn't making near the money he was making at the other salon. Christian, I think she has been cooking the books and skimming off the top...I just don't know for how long. I was going to get accounting take a closer look. I'm sorry, I know she is your friend. " Ros's face looks like she has been sucking on a lemon.

I run my hands down my face and count to 10 in my head. I let out a deep breath.

" Not anymore, " her eyes widen, " this is what I want you to do. Sell the two salons to Intermezzo...I don't care what they offer, I want it finalized by the end of this week. As for Kirkland...ask Franco if he wants to buy it. If he thinks he can turn it around, tell him I will sell it for $1.00 and I will bankroll him for 6 months and then the salon is his and no longer part of GEH. If he's not interested, then shut it down, sell the building, and tell Franco I will pay his salary to be on-call for Grey functions and Mia's frequent hair color changes until he can find another job. "

Ros is looking at me like I have just told her I was moving GEH to Mars.

" Ahhh Christian...are you sure about this ? GEH will lose a chunk of change..." I hold up a hand to interrupt her. " Pocket change, the salons are just a drop in the bucket of GEH and again...I DON'T CARE...I just want them gone...by Friday Ros. " I throw the file back in her lap and she gets up and makes to leave.

" Oh and I promised Taylor and Sawyer that they could notify Mrs. Lincoln of the sale of the salons. I...owe them a favor. Let Taylor know when the paperwork is signed. "

At the door she turns around and now she has a big grin on her face.

" Someday you will have to tell me what Lincoln did to piss off 'The Christian Grey'. " She laughs and walks out of my office.

xxxxx

It's the end of the workday on Friday and I am logging off my computer to head out for the weekend.

Taylor is dropping me off at SIP and picking up Sawyer to go visit Elena at Esclava while I drive Ana and I home in her car. I signed off on the sale of Esclava to Intermezzo yesterday, they got a hell of a deal and I think the owner/operator is still in shock. He offered Ros free mani-pedis for the rest of her life! Franco turned down the offer to buy Kirkland, he said there was no business to drum up in that area so he will be coming to my parents' tomorrow to get all the ladies ready for the Coping Together Gala that my parents are hosting at their home in Bellevue. He locked the doors of the Kirkland location yesterday and it will remain locked until the building is sold.

I meet Taylor at the elevator after I tell Andrea to have a good weekend. I still laugh at the expression she gets on her face when I say please and thank you like a "normal" person. I call it the "Ana Effect".

" Are you ready for your phone to blow up tonight, Sir ? " Taylor says as we make our way down to the parking garage.

" Yes and I plan to shut it off as soon as Ana and I get to Escala. I may even keep it off all weekend. If Ros needs to get in touch, I'll tell her to call you. Besides, I will see her tomorrow at the Gala. "

" You know, when you don't answer her calls, Elena will show up at the penthouse after we give her the news that she is out of business. "

" Which is why I want you to change the codes at Escala when you get back and I will talk to the concierge and tell them she is no longer allowed access to the penthouse. I will talk to my Dad this weekend about getting a restraining order if it goes that far. I plan on telling them about my...ahhh...relationship with Elena on Sunday...chances are I won't need it as my parents will probably want to kill her. " I pull my hair just thinking about how that conversation may pan out.

" What about the gala ? Think she will show up and make as scene...what am I saying, of course she will show up..." Taylor grimaces at that thought.

" Actually, I checked the guest list and she didn't RSVP. I heard there is a BDSM convention in Tacoma this weekend, hopefully that will keep her occupied. But bring in the extra security team tomorrow night and keep an eye out for her...just in case. " He raises an eyebrow when I mention the convention.

" When do you want me to send our anonymous tip to the Seattle PD about the Bitch Troll's...um...personal life ? "

" Not til Monday or Tuesday, I want to warn my parents first but I want to wait til after the Gala...no sense ruining their entire weekend. "

" Sir...Christian...I think you are doing the right thing. And don't worry about your parents...I think they will surprise you. " He stops and opens the door of the Audi for me. " And you will have Ana by your side to help you through this. "

" I hope you are right Jason. "

xxxxx

APOV

I am in Christian's old bedroom at Grey Manor in Bellevue getting ready for tonight's gala. Franco has already styled my hair into a sleek updo with a few curls framing my face. Mia offered to do my makeup and I actually took her up on it because I am tired of looking so pale, I'm starting to look like a ghost...or a vampire. I really need a vacation somewhere warm, on a beach, so I can get some color and maybe relax and forget about all the drama...hhhmmmm...wonder if I can convince my billionaire boyfriend to take a vacation. Who am I kidding, I just have to say the word and we'd be on a plane to Bora Bora by midnight.

I slip into the silver satin gown that Christian picked out for me and am struggling with the zipper when said billionaire boyfriend enters the bedroom.

" Hey, can you help me with this zipper, I think it is stuck. " I say as he walks up behind me. He leans down and places a soft kiss on the nape of my neck.

" I'd rather be unzipping this dress..." he whispers in that sexy panty-wetting voice of his.

" So would I but we don't have time for that...you know Mia will be banging on that door any minute now. " He zips me up and I turn to face him. He pulls me in for a searing kiss then reluctantly pulls away. As he does we hear a knock at the door and a girly voice yell " Ana ! You ready ? "

" You are right as always Miss Steele, " he gives me another quick peck on the lips and whispers in my ear, "Laters."

" Laters, " I whisper back, then yell, " Yes Mia, come in. "

Mia walks in and looks at Christian, still in his jeans and t-shirt.

" Chris, why aren't you ready, what are you guys doing in here ?...oh...nevermind...I don't want to know. Hurry up, the first guests are starting to arrive ! " She is bouncing up and down in her 5 inch heels, I'd break my neck in those heels if I had her bubbly energy.

" I had to coordinate with security Mia, I just got done and am going to change now. Unlike you ladies, it will only take me 10 minutes to get ready. " He smirks at her.

" Whatever...Ana come with me...I want you to meet some of my friends, " she says as she grabs my arm and starts pulling me toward the door.

" Mia ! Leave her alone ! Ana can meet your entourage later..."

I grab my clutch and let Mia drag me along. " It's okay Christian, I will see you downstairs in a few minutes," and wave to him as I am pulled out the door.

xxxxx

The gala is in full swing and I am amazed at the transformation Grace has made to Grey Manor for the event. I have been here for Sunday dinner a few times but this event is the most spectacular thing I have ever seen. The huge tent in their sprawling backyard is decorated with chandeliers and candles and so many flowers she must have bought out half the florists in Seattle. Everything is just so beautiful and elegant, I almost have to pinch myself to believe I am really here.

And Christian, looking so HOT in his tuxedo, has not left my side all evening. He is making sure I have a drink when I need a refill and helped me with the daunting task of choosing which utensil to use for each course of the decadent dinner. We even shared a piece of chocolate cake for dessert...well, I had two bites before he inhaled the rest.

The wait staff is clearing the tables while the band is setting up for a night of dancing under the stars just outside the tent.

I decide I need to use the restroom before the dancing starts and I stand and say " Excuse me, I'll be right back, " to the Grey family sitting around our table.

" Wait, where are you going ? " My overprotective Fifty grabs my hand to stop me.

I lean down and whisper in his ear, " I need to pee, I'll be right back. "

" I'll go with you, " he says and goes to stand. I push on his shoulder to keep him in his seat.

" Christian, I can go to the bathroom by myself...stay here and talk to Elliott, he looks kinda lonely. "

Elliot came stag tonight. He and Kate are on " a break", rather Kate has moved on to the next conquest and Elliot just doesn't know it yet. I love my best friend but she is probably going to lose the best thing that ever happened to her. And I refuse to get in the middle of their drama when I have enough of my own.

" I'll be right back," I say as I lean over and give Christian a peck on the cheek. I head toward the back of the house choosing to use the restroom inside versus the temporary facilities for the party guests.

I wash my hands and check my hair and makeup and decide I look presentable before exiting the bathroom in Christian's old room and enter into the main hall on the second floor. I am about to head downstairs when I hear the front door of the manor slam shut below me. I am wondering if it's a late party guest arriving or maybe someone lost and wandering around Grace and Carrick's home ?

" Hello, is someone there ? " I call out.

I see a figure approach the bottom of the staircase but the light is off in the foyer below so I can't see who it is.

I hear the clack of high heels as they climb the stairs towards me. As the person enters the light shining down from above me, they raise their head and I am staring into the rage filled face of one Elena 'Bitch Troll' Lincoln...

Oops...cliff hanger...sorry :p