Chapter 10: Retrieving the Wife and Loosing some Baggage
Gideon was pacing his office floor at the Crossfire Building. It had been two days since he heard from his wife. She called on Saturday afternoon to say that she made it safely to Chicago to meet up with Ana. Then, there has been nothing. No phone calls, no text messages, and no e-mails. He tried tracking her phone but there was nothing. She must have turned it off. He wondered what the sisters were up to. He tried not to get worried because she was with Ana, however Ana was now a free woman, a beautiful free woman that any man would love to have. Had they taken off to Vegas? Of course, if they had he would have known because he owned many casinos and hotels in Vegas. He pulled his hand through his black glossy hair then stood by the window to stare out over the city. Eva had left so very upset. She was in tears and he was pissed off because she would not tell him what was wrong. She only wanted to go Ana. A part of Gideon was jealous that Eva would rather share her problems with her sister than her husband. He had to admit they did have a strong bond. Even living on different sides of the country did not weaken their bonds. The phone rang and he turned to answer it.
"Cross." He barked into the receiver.
"She is in Seattle with a Mrs. Ana Grey at Mrs. Grey's residence. According to my sources they arrived early Sunday morning and have not been observed leaving the residence." A female voice said.
"Good job, Perkins. I appreciate your help with this delicate matter." Gideon said flatly. He hung up the phone and turned back to the window. "Okay, girls…what are you up to?" He hit the intercom. "Scott, have my plane readied. I need to be in Seattle by yesterday."
Brady found his boss in her home office going through her e-mails. He took the time to look her over. Damn, she was a beauty. Her hair was pulled back into a high pony-tail and left to flow down her back. She was biting her full lower lip and he knew she did not even realize that she was doing it. She was wearing a light blue camisole covered with a white boyfriend shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows and a pair of tight blue jeans that he also knew showed off her perfect little ass. He felt his groin begin to strain. He did want her, but it would be unprofessional to pursue her. He never considered making a play for her while she was married, and then he met Amelia so it never became a problem for him. Even though he found Ana extremely attractive he would not cheat on Amelia.
"You know it is considered rude to stare at someone." Her lyrical voice stated bringing Brady from his thoughts. "So, did we pick up a tail?"
Brady came into the room and sat before her. He had to smile when she looked up at him. Her sweet little face was stoic, but he could still some of her personal fire in her eyes. "You were correct. She is a colleague of a Ms. Debbie Perkins who is known to be a private detective in the employ of a Mr. Gideon Cross when needed. Ms. Perkins has offices in Manhattan and Savannah with associates across the country."
"Well, well…I am sure Gideon will be visiting soon to collect his wife. We don't have a lot of time to get our mission accomplished. Brady, I will need a decoy car sent out so Eva and I can get to Dr. Green's this afternoon. Also, find out when Gideon left New York." As she spoke her slender fingers slide over the keyboard answering an e-mail. "One more thing, if you keep looking at me like I am naked then everyone will know that you have the hots for me. Cool it, Daniel." Brady stiffened not knowing if she was joking or not. Then her face broke into a smile. "Gottcha!" She broke out laughing and he relaxed. "Really, Daniel…Am I that intimidating?"
"Actually yes, at times you are very intimidating. You have cold blue eyes when pissed off." He stated lowly. "I hope I am never on your bad side."
She kept typing as she smiled at him. "Then, get Eva and me to the hospital without that tail following us. Is there anything else?"
"Rhoades has asked for some time off."
"That is your problem…take care it. Security is your job. Just make sure that whoever replaces him temporarily signs the NDA, has a thorough background check, and is qualified to work for me. I only want the best protecting me and my family. I trust you to know what is best for us." She looked at the computer screen. "I expect Gideon to arrive either tonight or early in the morning. He may not come straight to the Ranch, but monitor the hotels and have him followed."
Brady wondered what was going on between Mr. and Mrs. Cross. Ana had left in a hurry for Chicago on late Friday afternoon and returned with her more than emotional sister early Sunday. They had stayed on the grounds not leaving. The Grey children were brought home a few hours after the sisters arrived. "Are we expecting any domestic problems, Mrs. Grey?"
Her head shot up and she frowned at him. "Of course not." She answered with a strained voice. "When Gideon arrives he is welcomed here. Just buzz him in at the gate."
Eva was nervous as she and Ana sat in Dr. Green's office. They were given a large block of time with no other patients waiting so they could come and go unnoticed. Dr. Green gave them all the information about IVF and then set appointments for both women for the next day. Having the Grey and Cross names made them top priority. If all went well, Ana could be pregnant in only a few months. Now, it was time to deal with Mr. Gideon Cross and Ana decided she would be the one to take care of this matter. Eva was too emotional and was easily moved to tears especially when having to deal with the horrible memories of Nathan Barker. Through text messages from Daniel, Ana knew when Gideon left New York City and the ETA of his private flight. It would be only a few hours before Gideon would be in Seattle. She also knew that he had reservations at the Fairmont, so she did not expect him until Tuesday morning to come knocking at her door. She was more than pleased with herself to have such a competent security team. Her phone pinged one more time but this text was from Christian.
Cross called me wanting to know what "the sisters" were up to. So?
Just having sister time. Nothing to worry about.
Bullshit! He was pissed. What are you two doing?
Baby, it's nothing to be concerned about. Dealing with lady's issues with my sister. That is all that I can say.
Oh…sorry.
Ana had to laugh knowing saying anything about lady's issues would have Christian backing down. Even though he had no problem talking about her bodily functions, he would draw the line with her sister. She put her phone away and gave Eva a small supportive smile. "Don't worry Eva; I will take care of this. Gideon will see our point of view." Or least, she hoped he would.
Visiting the Ranch was usually a good time for Gideon. He was always amazed how homey Ana had made the sprawling ranch-styled house. It was a true family home and not a showcase to present her wealth. But, today, he was more than angry at both Ana and Eva. He was doing the best he could to keep his temper in check, but they did run off from Chicago without letting him know and then the incident of turning off Eva's phone. He knew when he was being played. These women were up to no good and he was going to get to the bottom of it. Grey had been no help what so ever when Gideon called him. He didn't even know that Ana had gone to Chicago to meet with Eva. He only knew that she had gone to Chicago. So, by the time he got through the gates and drove up the curved driveway he was cursing under his breath. He had to remain calm and not to scare either woman.
Ana met Gideon at the door. She was wearing her blue jeans with a tight white T-shirt with the NRA emblem on it. He knew that she was a supporter of the Second Amendment and had a good collection of firearms. He gave a smile to return her smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He stood over her and let her reach up and kiss on the cheek in welcome. "Mrs. Grey…I would like it if you would return my wife."
"Oh Gideon you sound like I kidnapped her." She laughed merrily. "Eva is upstairs taking a nap. But, before you go running up the stairs to wake her up you and me need to have a little talk."
"Ana? What is going on? Is she leaving me?" His blue eyes widen in a moment of fear then a sheet of impassivity dropped over his face. He waited for her to answer or lead him into the house.
"Gideon, why don't we go into my office? Would you like a glass of wine or something?"
"Will I need it?" Her lyrical laughter was his only answer. He followed her through the house into her home office. His eyes took in the lodge look of the office but it still had soft touches of pastels to let someone know that a woman worked in here. The one item that caught his attention was the gun cabinet. The girl was well armed. He remembered what Eva had told him that Ana grew up learning how to shoot and defend herself from her step-father Ray Steele after she decided to live with him instead of her mother.
"Please have a seat?" She motioned for him to sit with her on the buckskinned colored sofa. "Eva asked me to meet her in Chicago for a very important reason. She is unable to discuss it with you because it brings back some horrible memories. Gideon, do you understand what I am saying?" He nodded and she continued. "I understand that you and Eva want to have a baby."
"She has voiced that she would like to have my baby." He said as his brows came together in a frown. Even as he was scowling he was drop-dead handsome. Those deep blue eyes were intense.
"Alright, I am just going to say this bluntly and you need to keep quiet. Deal?" She waited for him to agree with a nod of his head. "Eva has gone to many different doctors in the last few months and has been told over and over again that she will not be able to have a baby. The sexual abuse that she suffered has done horrific damage to her. Even if she did conceive, she would suffer a miscarriage within the first three months. That bastard tore her up inside…she was too young to be having sex. When he got her pregnant…well, I think you understand why she miscarried. Eva wants so much to talk to you about this, but she is so afraid that you won't want her anymore. She thinks that you will think that she is damaged goods." Ana took a deep breath. "I tried to tell her that you would never think that. I hate it when she starts thinking like that. So now…we have to figure out a solution to this problem of having a baby. It's what she wants."
Gideon was speechless. Everything that has been revealed to him breaks his heart. And, having Ana being so forceful towards him is another shock. She was assertive and almost dominant. He did not know what to think. He had to clear his head and get this figured out. His Eva was in pain and was frighten to come to him about her problem. She ran off to Chicago to tell the one person that she truly trusted. They could not have the baby that she wanted. So now what? There was not much he could do even with all his money and power. His eyes went to Ana's who were filling up with tears. She was feeling her sister's pain. He didn't understand the emotional connection that these two women had, but they always knew what the other was feeling. He had heard about this in twins, but in half-sisters? "I assume that you have worked out a solution." His voice was deep and steady as he fought emotions that he hated to deal with.
"IVF." Was her answer.
Gideon leaned back into the sofa. Good lord, a test-tube baby? This wasn't a way their child should be made. He didn't believe anything was immoral or unethical for anyone to try whatever they could to try to have a child, but he thought he would get Eva pregnant the usual way…fucking her senseless. "So we will have to use a surrogate."
"Yes."
His head rested on the back of the sofa as he brushed his long hair from his face. "So, we just run down to the "surrogates-r-us" store and order one?"
Ana busted out laughing as she rolled those fantastic blue eyes. "I wish it was just that easy." She took his hand. "We have already found the perfect person, and the contract is already written out, to keep things legal. All you have to do is sign it."
"I can't sign any contract unless I meet the woman who is going to carry Eva and mine's baby. What if she is a closet wacko or something?"
"Gideon, you already know her. I'm going to be the surrogate."
Gideon's mouth fell open. His mind was racing and his heart thumped wildly against his chest. Never in a in his life did he see this coming. He jumped to his feet. He had to move, do anything, his muscles strained with stress. She had to be joking. This is just a dream, and I will wake up…just fucking wake up Gideon. Ana can't be serious. She can't carry our baby…oh God! What about Eva? Will seeing her sister heavy with their child send her over the edge in jealousy? Eva admits freely that she is a jealous woman. She will not share me with any other woman and made it clear that if I ever strayed she would have my balls in a trophy case on her desk.
"I'm … I don't want to say at this moment." He finally said. He turned and glared at her with anger that these two women had come up with this harebrained idea. "You can't do this. It would destroy Eva and me. You don't understand how jealous she is."
Ana began to laugh as she stood up and approached him. "I have known her longer than you have, Gideon. I know all about her issues. I have dealt with them since I was sixteen years old, just as she has dealt with mine. Eva is on board with this. I am the one woman that she does trust." She reached out and took his hand. "Let me do this for both of you. You are family and I will do anything to make my sister happy. She would do it for me." She pouted up at him in her adorable way. "Just talk with Eva about it and give it a good think. You will realize that this is the best solution for Eva because I am no threat to her or your marriage."
~XXXXXXXXXXX~
Every now and then one has to do a spring cleaning in their lives. Christian sat his desk contemplating the changes that he would have to make his life to be truly happy. Ana was gone from his life or so it seemed since they had very little contact. She had been back from Chicago for two months and they still have not discussed the phone call where they both apologized for hurting each other. Eva had returned with her and Ana had been spending all her time with her or at work. He knew not to try to find out what was going on because her security team ran circles around his. He only saw her when he picked up the children on his weekends and the one day of the week that she had added. He guessed that was a reward for his apology about the slap. They only spoke about the children.
There was much he wanted to tell her. He had cancelled the contract with Daphne. She was getting to be a bother. Like so many of the subs in the past, she was wanting the "more". He had no feelings for her except for the pleasure that he received from taking a flogger or belt to her. The last few times that they had been together he could not get excited about taking her into the playroom. For some reason she had no appeal to him even when her little heart shaped ass turned a bright red from the belt. He knew he was done with her and sent her away. And, just like the others she made no fuss but took the gifts and the severance pay and left without looking back when she realized that Christian was done with her.
He was still seeing Dr. Hellerman on a weekly basis. She said he was improving, but he still had a long road before him. He would have setbacks especially when angered or stressed but it was up to him on how to control these emotions. She taught him breathing techniques to use to calm him when he felt that his anger was going to run out of control. She told him that he would always have anger control issues unless he finally admitted to himself that he was a victim of sexual molestation. Christian still could not take that step. Elena Lincoln had taught him control. This same control had made him one of the most successful businessmen in the world. This was one part of his life that he could not separate. The sex and the control with Elena as a young man were one in the same for him and he could not see the wrong in it. After all, he did not say no. It was not the same as his situation with his subs and his wife. He had separated the two. The subs were just sex and punishing them for his pleasure, Ana was making love. And the fucked up thing, he couldn't see anything wrong with this separation. He did not understand why he could not have both his wife and subs if he so wanted. They did not have anything to do with each other. In his mind, he did not cheat. There had been no love between him and those two subs. His love had always remained with Ana. Dr. Hellerman made it very clear to him until he realized that his thinking was more than fucked up he would never be happy. He had to see that he was cheating even if these women were contracted subs. He was having sex with them and that is why Ana had left him. These thoughts kept running through his mind. Was it time to actually face the truth? Was the relationship with Elena that fucked up? Was she a pedophile? I was fifteen. I was horny as fuck and damn, she was beautiful back then. She had a body to be fucked. She taught me how to control my own body and emotions. But, if I could control my emotions, why do I have all this anger? Anger is an emotion. His mind raced with ideas. "Damn." He said aloud. "She fucked me over…she never wanted me to find love. It is a weakness she said. Love has no strength and can be used to hurt me. It was love that hurt me when Mommy died….SON OF A BITCH!" His fist came down on his desk.
Christian pulled himself out of his office chair and wandered into the great room of Escala. He took in the room. Yes, it was beautiful, but it was so cold and hollow. This was not a home but a freaking museum. He climbed the steps to the second floor and sat on the first step. He was completely alone. He could hear silence bouncing off the walls. He could be at home on the Sound with Ana and the children if he had quit lying to himself about his issues. Nothing was worth all this loneliness and the pain that he caused his family. He had to lose everything before he began to see the error of his warped thinking. He had cheated on his wife. He had no right to take on a sub just because he could not control his wife. Ana deserved better than what he had given her.
"Sir, is there something I can do for you?" The deep voice of Jason Taylor asked. Christian looked down the steps to see his only friend. He motioned Jason to join him on the step.
"I am fucked up, Taylor." Christian declared lowly. "I have lost everything that ever meant anything to me. I thought I could do anything I wanted without answering to anyone."
Taylor did not know how to respond. After all this was his employer. "She was good for you." He finally said. They both knew that Taylor was speaking about Ana.
"Yeah, but I wasn't good for her. I hurt her deeply. I was supposed to be her happily ever after and I became her nightmare." He grimaced when he thought of all the horrible things that he had said to her, accused her of and blamed her for. "I should leave her alone. She deserves to be happy."
Jason only nodded. He had seen a beautiful young woman that was full of life turn unhappy and even frighten. Now she was more than successful in her career and she seemed happy. For once in her twenties, Ana was in control of her life and did not have to answer to the idiot that sat beside him. "She will find someone. She will be alright." He finally said in a near whisper.
"But, will I be alright?"
"Christian…" Jason waited for the explosion that he expected for using the boss's first name. "This isn't about you but Ana. She has been put through enough. Just let her be. You are no good for her until you get yourself in a better place. You can't expect her to wait around forever for you. Not even you can be that selfish."
"Actually, yes I can…but I won't." He looked over his shoulder down the hallway to that room. "Taylor, would you like to help me do something? I think it's time to do some remodeling."
Jason followed Christian's stare to the door of the playroom. He chuckled. "I will get the hammers."
Christian stepped into the playroom and turned on the lights. The once comforting smell of lemon polish and leather filled his senses. He walked around looking at everything. So many women had come thru here and he couldn't remember their names unless he went to their files. They were all the same, brown-haired, petite, and more than willing to get the shit beat out of them for their own pleasure and his. Only one woman stood out in here. Ana. He had beaten her on the whipping bench with a belt which made her leave him for the first time. But there had been good times in here with Ana…oh the pleasure had been intense for them both. Then the worst time, when she caught him with Janna and took those pictures on her phone. That had ended their marriage once and for all. For the first time since he installed the playroom he hated it! He hated the whips, the belts, the whipping bench, the floggers, and the paddles! He hated the St. Andrew's Cross against the wall. Everything would have to go. He did not want this anymore. He had to get this shit out of his apartment. He had to make this a home, a real home where he could bring his children if Ana would let him. He heard Taylor come into the room. "Let's tear this motherfucker up and get rid of this baggage!"
A/N: Dear Readers,
I want to thank you for your continue support. I restart classes starting on Jan.8 so updates may take a few days. I hope you will show me patience as I achieve a dream of getting my degree. Again, thank you for your support and kind reviews. Now… back to my Playroom (my imagination)!