Chapter 12

Christian's POV

The flight back to Seattle is uneventful. I use the time to catch up on emails and read over some documents. I have been able to get more done during the flight than I have since we received the first threat. My mind is constantly drifting to thoughts of Ana. It is hard to believe that we are going to be having another baby. I already begin to imagine a little girl with long mahogany hair, fair skin, and eyes as blue as the ocean. Since Teddy is a near copy of me, I can only hope a little girl would be a copy of her mother. As long as she never expects to date, I'll be more than happy. The thought of having a daughter is terrifying in a sense, but I can't imagine anything I would enjoy more.

When we land in Seattle I am shocked to see Welch, my father, and about a dozen security personnel waiting. My heart drops into my stomach. The look on my father's face tells me that something has happened and I am fearing the worst. Is mom okay? What about Mia? Did something happen to Kate or Elliott? I head down the steps while holding on to the rail since my legs are shaky. When I get to the bottom I walk straight towards my father and embrace him.

"What happened dad?" I ask him as I pull back.

"It's Hyde Christian. He is out. He made a deal to turn on his cellmate who is a suspected serial killer. They released him last week. I only just found out myself," he tells me, keeping both of his hands on my arms.

"What the fuck!? How were we not informed? This is unacceptable! That man nearly killed Ana and he gets off with less than a year in prison! We have one known threat and now there is another on the loose!" I pull back from my father's grasp and run my hands through my hair.

"Son, I know. Lets get in the car. I still need to tell Mia the news. Will you come with me?"

"I need to get to Escala and start making arrangements. We need to locate Hyde. I need to tell Ana. Oh god, what if Hyde is working with Jose?" I turn and look at Taylor. I can tell he is coming to the same realization as me.

"Jose? How is he involved?" my father questions.

"We just found out that Jose was in Philadelphia scoping out the area where my meeting took place. There is one other thing. Elena and her ex-husband are both dead. They were shot point blank and have been dead for some time now," I explain quickly. I just want to get to the apartment and call Ana. I need to know she is safe.

"Shit Christian. This doesn't look good. Do you think the deaths are linked to Jose?"

"I don't know yet dad, but I need to get going. I need to arrange extra security on Ana and Teddy. They have Sawyer and Ray, but that isn't enough. If Hyde is part of this, I don't know where I can keep them safe," I say as I run my hands through my hair and tug slightly out of frustration.

We say our goodbyes and I get into the waiting SUV. The drive seems to take twice as long. Every scenario running through my mind makes me feel like leaving was a mistake. I should be there protecting my family, but I can't go back now. My family here is now in danger. Taylor is in back with me while Reynolds and Ryan are in the front. We begin to make a plan to get additional security in place for the rest of the Grey family. Welch has already doubled security at Grey House. Thankfully, when my father couldn't reach me, he called Welch to inform him of the situation. I still can't believe the deal Hyde got. Something seems fishy about it to me. I make note to cancel any upcoming donations to the Seattle Police Department or re-election campaigns. All of these people have failed me and my family. I plan on making sure they know what happens when you piss off Christian Grey.

Ana's POV

It was a long day out and about running errands, but getting out of the safe house was so nice. I managed to get Sawyer to drive by Lake Tahoe. It was so beautiful to look at. I wish we could've stopped, but it would've been too risky. I make note to have Christian bring me back here. Teddy slept in the SUV on the way back to the house. When we got back he woke up long enough to have lunch and then took a nap. I decided to take one myself. When I wake up I check the time. Wow, I slept for three hours. I freshen up and then go looking for Teddy. He is with my dad in the living room playing with his new helicopter.

"I'm sorry I slept so long dad. I didn't even hear him over the monitor," I tell my dad as I sit next to him and Teddy on the floor.

"Oh no worries Ana. I love this time with him. This has been the most time I've gotten to spend with him." he kisses my forehead and my phone starts ringing.

"Hello," I say answering it.

"How is my beautiful wife?" Christian asks.

"Better now that she is talking to you. I assume from your call that you are back in Seattle?"

"Yes, I'm sitting in my office at Escala. I didn't realize how cold and depressing this place is," he says and I hear the sadness in his voice.

"Well, when I get back I'll call the decorator and we can warm it up a bit," I say as I make my way to the office.

"That sounds wonderful Mrs. Grey. I'm not just calling to tell you I'm in Seattle though. We have an update." From the sound of his voice I can tell this isn't something he wants to tell me, but we agreed to tell each other everything.

"What did they find?"

"Elena and her ex-husband are dead. The were killed a few months ago. Someone shot them point blank," he explains and I gasp. I may not have liked the bitch troll, but for someone to do that to any human being, it makes me sad.

"Do you know who did it?" I ask.

"Well we have a suspect. Ana, please know I had no idea he would do this. Jose Rodriguez was scouting the area around my meeting before we arrived. He tried to disguise himself, but Barney was able to get an I.D. using some facial recognition software. We believe he is behind the threats, but we think he isn't working alone," he explains and I can tell there is something he doesn't want to tell me. I gasped when he said Jose's name.

"Oh my god Christian. How could he? Why would he? It doesn't make sense. I know the last time I saw him he wasn't all there, but to stoop to this level. It is insane."

"I know Ana. I know. There is something else. This changes everything. Hyde was released last week. He made a deal to turn on his cellmate, a suspected serial killer. My father just found out and was waiting for me when I got off the plane. I've had to increase security on the entire family and at Grey House. We have no idea where he is at the moment. Taylor is trying to get into the prison visitors log and see if Jose had contact with him. Right now we have nothing connecting them," he continues to explain and I sit in shock.

I don't say anything for several minutes. Neither does Christian. We are both absorbing this new information. Having knowledge of who might be involved is comforting, but knowing Hyde is out there sends a chill down my spine. Suddenly tears begin to fall from my eyes and I begin sobbing into my free hand.

"Ana... please don't cry baby. I never should have left you. I should be there now. Tell me if you need me there and I'll leave right now."

"Christian, no. Stay in Seattle and protect your family. You leaving is what led us to finding out Jose is involved. Without that knowledge we would still be scared out of our minds. I will be okay. This is just a lot of information to process."

"I didn't want to tell you, but I knew you had a right to know. Especially with Jose being involved. I miss you so much. I want you back here as soon as possible. You being so far is killing me. I miss Teddy too. How is he?" he asks and I sigh.

"He is okay, but I know he is missing you. He has been acting up a bit. I think he senses something isn't right and being away from home hasn't helped," I tell Christian honestly. Teddy is usually such a good boy, but lately he has been more stubborn than ever. I think we might hear the word no out of him sooner than later at this rate.

"I'm going to talk to Taylor and see if we can move you some place closer. I want to be able to see you and Teddy. Hopefully we can figure something out," I hear concern in his voice and desperation. I know he wants to be with us again, as do I. With it being so close to Teddy's first birthday I just want to be together as a family.

"That would be wonderful. I hate us being so far away from each other."

"I know babe. I've got to get going. Taylor and I have a lot of work to do. Stay safe. I love you," he says.

"I will. You stay safe too. I love you too,"

After we hang up I sit in the office for a bit. It is a lot for me to process. Just this morning I was concerned for my pregnancy, and now I have to be concerned about men who want to harm my family. The fact that Jack Hyde is out there frightens me the most. Jose was such a good friend, but the way he acted last time was insane. I think something in him must have snapped. The thought that he could possibly be working with Hyde makes my skin crawl. How in the world would they be connected? I brush my hair back from my face, grazing over the small scar on my head. It is a reminder of what he did when I went to save Mia. I can't imagine how Mia must be dealing with the news of Hyde's release. I decide that I won't let Hyde control me and that by being afraid. I'm giving him control over my life. This needs to end now. I know Christian wants us safe, but I'm sick of hiding and playing games. It's time to get back to our lives. I just need to decide how to make it happen.

Hyde's POV

Waiting isn't my thing. I am extremely impatient and don't like when people keep me waiting. I'm sitting in a parking garage waiting for a delivery, but the dumb ass is taking his sweet fucking time. My mind drifts back to my cell mate and how I was able to manipulate him into confessing his crimes. I did have to tell him of some of my deeds, but those women never did come forward. I'm sure fucking Christian Grey tried to get them to turn on me, but they all knew what would happen if they did. Thinking of Christian Grey makes me think about Ana. Her skin, so soft and delicate. What a fucking tease she is. Maybe I'll get my chance with her now that Mister King of Seattle is back in town. My mind is pulled away from those thoughts as a car pulls up next to me.

"About fucking time! Did you get what I asked for?" I yell at the idiot. I still can't believe I agreed to let him help me with this.

"Yeah Jack. It's in the trunk. I have only shot this rifle a few times, but it is pretty accurate and powerful." he replies as he moves to the trunk and opens it.

"Very nice. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you Jose. I knew you would come through for me," I tell him and give him a pat on his back.

"I would do anything to get to Ana. She should be mine. That man she is with is sick and twisted. He likes to beat women. I can't imagine what he is doing to her. Is he forcing her to have his children and stay with him?"

"It's okay Jose. We will save her. We will get rid of Grey and she will be free to be with you," I tell him as I take the rifle and place it in the trunk of my car.

"You think she will understand why we have to do this Jack?" he asks. I have to hide my smirk. I've manipulated him so well that he thinks he will get Ana when all is said and done. If things go as planned, he won't be alive and I'll do with Ana as I please. Jose Rodriguez is just another pawn.

"Jose, who else would she turn to? You tried to tell her after she got out of the hospital, but she wasn't willing to listen. You gave her a choice and she chose wrong. He probably is beating her and forcing himself on her to impregnate her. This is why he needs to be stopped," I tell him, reinforcing the idea she is a damsel in distress even though she is a cock tease bitch that should end up six feet under with Christian Grey. Not until I'm done with her, I tell myself.

"Yeah. I better get going. I reserved an office in the name of Robert Ward in a building with a perfect view of Grey House for you. Here is your identification and the key to the office. It should work for your purpose."

"Thanks Jose. I'll be in touch." I say to him as he gets into his car and leaves.

I decide to drive around for a bit before heading to the office building and getting set up. I don't want to go there during the day time and attract unwanted attention. When I arrive at the office I'm pleased with what I see. Since this building was build last year, it towers Grey House. The office I am in gives me a nice view into the office of Christian Grey. It is going to be a long shot, but I've practiced with a similar rifle before and have no doubt that I will hit my target. I smile at the thought that soon Christian Grey will only be a memory. Once the rifle is set up I make sure the door is locked and make myself comfortable on the couch that is in there. Now that everything is in place, I plan on staying until I finish the job.

~~~ Author's Note ~~~

Sorry for the delay in updating.

I know this is a short chapter, but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.

Thank you again to everyone reading and following this story.

I do love to hear from all of you, so feel free to leave a review or send me a message.

If you are looking for a Beta Reader, let me know. I am available for any editing or exchanging of ideas!

xoxo

calicutie77