HELP! I am back. I need a beta desperately. Someone to catch the little things I miss all the time, like is s.u.v. Small or capital? I have been going through a tough time and eventually lost my husband of 42 years. Yeah, I'm old.😊 My imagination was kidnapped by a character in a series of books that no one has ever written FanFiction for ️ I think I have finally worn that character out. I saw the movie and I was utterly disappointed. The casting was awful Just awful. Ana was great but the dude playing Christian was actually worse than the first movie. He ruined the film for me by being so boring and unemotional. IMHO. Grace -just no. Mia- no. And where the fuck was Taylor? Yeah, disappointing to say the least. So if you can beta quickly, I need you. PM me.

Chapter 10e

The caravan of black s.u.v.'s sped off towards Escala, leaving behind a mass of twisted metal and an incredible traffic jam behind them on the bridge. Flashing lights and sirens seemed to be everywhere. Christian kept Ana clutched to his chest. He tightened the shoulder harness, trying to keep her safe. The thought of what almost had happened had him trembling almost as much as Ana had been when Taylor laid her in his arms. He knew he should be calling Welch, contacting his father, notifying Andrea he would be in for the rest of the day, but he couldn't. He stared down at her her dark tresses watching her head buried in his chest, the place he never allowed anyone. He felt her breathing level out and realized she had somehow managed to fall asleep. He had come so close to losing her, so close. He bent his head into her hair and let silent tears fall. He had always measured success with money. Always. Yet, if he was honest with himself, money had never brought him anything but problems. Not one day of his life was ever as relaxed as the hours he spent with Ana. She didn't want his money. She just wanted him. Just then they hit a large pothole. As her body jostled against him, he glared at Taylor silently, afraid of waking Ana. He saw Taylor grimace apologetically and knew if he could have avoided it, he would have.

"Christian?" Ana called softly, her voice wobbly.

"Yes, baby?"

"Christian, where are we going. I don't want to go back to your parents. Someone might hurt them. "

Christian smiled indulgently and murmured "always thinking of others" while clutching her even tighter. "We are going back to Escala for now. "

"Do you think it is safe there?"

"Yes, We will be safe there. Let my security team do what they get paid for, ok?"

Ana looked hesitant.

"You trust Taylor don't you?" Christian continued. "Remember how he found us and he didn't even know your name!"

Ana smiled weakly at the memory, but nodded. "You're right. But I think we should hurry up with you taking my virginity. Just in case."

"Not tonight. We've both been thru too much. Let me run you a nice hot bath and put you to bed." A terrified Christian replied, trying to sound as calm as he could.

"W-Will you at least sleep with me?"

"Absolutely." Christian thought how he had listened to everyone but himself. Flynn, his mother, Even Taylor. What was he, a fucking sub? Christian thought about that. Flynn, his mom and Taylor, did he always give in to them? He d think about it later. Right now the only thing important was keeping Ana safe. Tightening his embrace, he growled "I swear Ana, you're never leaving my side again."

Taylor looked in the rear view mirror grimly and thought how fucking lucky they all were that the young lady in the back seat was alive and apparently uninjured. Sawyer had some bruises but for the most part he was okay too. Trying to kidnap someone on a bridge took big balls and deep pockets. None of it made any sense. The drug cartel theory made sense except Ana had no drugs and didn't do any drugs so even if it was true, why would a drug cartel go balls to the wall for a young , innocent college kid. Why?

He pulled into Escala feeling tense. Normally, coming home after a tough day brought a sigh of relief. Not today. Unless he was very much mistaken, he would be looking for bad guys behind every pillar and post for a while. His eyes darted around the garage as he waited for his team to get in place and for someone to give the okay from upstairs. Grey demanded to know what the delay was and Taylor just glared as he replied, "Just being cautious, sir."

They got the all clear and Grey insisted on carrying Ana. Even as they walked into the penthouse, Taylor couldn't relax. He waited expectantly until Grey stopped, midway across the room. Taylor was expecting the violent shitstorm of Greys temper. He didn't like it but he could handle it. What he wasn't expecting was Grey mouthing the words "Thank you, "

Grey entered the bedroom and Taylor didn't see him again until the house phone rang. Taylor picked it up immediately and Grey just growled "My office in 10. "

"Yes, sir." Taylor acknowledged, glancing at his watch, then returning to his iPad and reviewing the summary he had already written. He glanced at his notes and frowned. The boss wasn't going to like this. He wasn't going to like this at all.