Thank you all for your reviews on the last chapter. I had some people who wanted to know if Jose paid the fortune teller. No, he did not. It was a legitimate reading (as far as fiction legitimacy goes, lol). Thank you to the reviewer, who caught the misuse of the word courier in chapter 13. I know there are mistakes in my story. I acknowledge it ahead of time ;-) Courier (a messenger who transports goods or documents)/Currier (a specialist in the leather processing industry) slipped by me, even after proofreading :-) All characters belong to E. L. James and all mistakes are mine.
CPOV
I am about to lose my shit when Sawyer contacts me and tells me Ana's in danger. I knew it, I knew her going to New Orleans was a terrible idea. I told Sawyer to get her home tonight, by any means necessary.
"Taylor, why didn't Sawyer and Reynolds notice someone following Ana? They are trained to spot this kind of thing." I'm losing my shit right now.
"Sir, Sawyer, and Reynolds never reported anyone following them. This leads me to believe these pictures were taken from someone who works at the hotel where Miss Steele and Mr. Rodriguez were staying."
This only calms me for about a second until I think of what could have happened. What could still happen if she does not get her stubborn ass on that plane. Knowing Ana, the way I do, she's going to fight me on this.
"Any word from Sawyer or Reynolds regarding flights leaving New Orleans, tonight?"
"Not yet, sir. Sawyer informs me that Miss Steele is a bit… hesitant."
This makes me laugh as I know Ana is doing everything in her power to not have to comply with my order.
"I need to go speak with my father. Have Stephan ready the jet for New Orleans. I'm not taking any chances of Anastasia thinking she knows what's best for her case." I say as I watch Frankie and Elliot playing in the pool.
"I'm going next door. Make sure my idiot brother doesn't drown, or worse injure my son."
"Sir." Is all I receive from Taylor as he tries to hide his smile.
Once I make it next door and enter my parents' house I go to my dad's office where I find him reading over some papers.
"Dad?"
"Christian, what's wrong son?"
"It's Ana, she's in danger in New Orleans."
"I knew it! I knew I should have tried harder to get her not to go there! She is too stubborn for her own good. What happened?"
I relay to my father about the package that was waiting for her when she returned to her hotel room. I see a bunch of emotions going through my father, but the major emotion is fear. My dad has always been fond of Ana. He's always thought she was good for me and often voiced it.
"I told Sawyer to tell her she needs to get home, tonight."
Sighing, dad sits back at his desk, "Have you heard from her since you relayed your orders to Sawyer?"
"No. Knowing her, she's probably throwing a fit and probably telling Sawyer to tell me where I can stick my order." I smile as I think about Ana, her stubbornness, and her smart mouth.
"So, what are you going to do?"
"I'm taking my jet and going to New Orleans to get her."
"Smart man. I know she won't be happy, but it's for her own good. The more I dig into this case, the more I wish Ana would drop it." These words send a shiver down my spine.
APOV
"I swear Christian sticks his nose in at the wrong time. This is my career. He…"
"This is your life! Mine too!" Jose says.
"Ana, some hired gun has pictures of us, from today! Even worse, there are pictures of your son, Zeus and Apollo."
"Who the hell is Apollo?" I ask.
"The blond god who was at the zoo with Christian and Frankie." He says as he fans himself thinking of Elliot.
"That's Elliot and can you focus, please!"
"I am focused, sugar. You're the one who's not focused. Look, I know you're my boss and you can fire me after I've said this." He takes a breath before continuing.
"You are turning into one of those bitter, I don't need a man, hags. Do you know what happens to them? They end up alone with a house full of dogs and cats. Stop trying to prove a point. We all know you're a boss bitch. Stop trying to show Christian that you don't need him. You keep that up and he may start believing you and walk away for good."
"I'm not…"
"Yes, you are. I get it, you're hurt. You want to show him what you've made of yourself without him, and his presence. That's fine, but do you have to constantly be that woman?"
"What woman?"
"A mega bitch."
I can only stand and stare at him as my mouth continues to open and close.
"Get yourself together, we need to change our flight plan. Um, Kevin Costner? Have you checked to see when the next flight leaves tonight?"
"Not, yet," Sawyer grumbles as he rolls his eyes at Jose, "I'm going to go check flight schedules. Reynolds will be outside your door, Miss Steele."
"Thank you, Sawyer."
"I guess I better call Christian." I say dialing his number. It goes to voicemail.
"Hi, it's me. Um, I'm coming home tonight, but I guess you already know that. I guess I'll see you when I get home. Bye."
"So, you really can be nice, huh?"
"Shut up."
"I'm going to my room to pack. I'll be back."
I try calling Christian while I'm packing my clothes, but I get his voicemail, again.
I finish packing as Sawyer and Jose make it back to my room.
"Oh good, you're done packing. Let's get out of this city before more than the humidity kills me."
Sawyer checks us out as Reynolds takes us to the car.
Once we're on the road to the airport, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"We have a visitor." Reynolds says while he's driving.
"Yep, I spotted them as we pull off from the hotel." Sawyer agrees.
"What's going on?" I ask as my palms begin to sweat.
"It appears we have someone following us." Sawyer responds.
"Luke, we have another player in the game." Reynolds advises.
"I think I'm going to pass out." Jose says.
As Reynolds increases his speed, I see the second car increase their speed as well.
"How far are we from the airport?" Reynolds asks.
"About 15 minutes." Luke says, "Hold it steady. I don't think these are real gamers. They just want to make sure we are leaving town."
"Mother of Cher, this is not how my life is supposed to end." Jose cries while squeezing my hand.
"Jose, we'll be fine." I try to convince him, but the entire time I'm thinking of Frankie and him living without me. How will Christian adjust to being a single father? Maybe I am too stubborn for my own good.
As I see the sign for the airport, my phone rings but it's a blocked number. Reluctantly, I answer it as I put it on speaker.
"H-Hello?"
"Tell your guys there's no need to try to outrun us. We just want to give you a proper escort out of town."
"W-who is this?"
"No need to worry about me, Anastasia. However, you should be worried about who's going to raise your son if you don't stop sticking your nose in business that does not concern you. You have been warned."
The line goes dead as we get off the exit to the airport and the two cars following are no longer in sight.
"You all ok?" Luke asks as he turns to look at us.
I can only nod my head, as I have no clue where my voice went. I glance at Jose who is trying to even his breathing.
Reynolds stops the car and opens my door. Sawyer leads me around a corner and what I see makes the tears, I've been fighting, break free.
Standing near the stairs, of the GEH jet, is Christian. He's a blur as I'm blinded by my tears, but I can make out that he's walking towards me. I finally get my legs to work and start walking.
"Need a lift?" He whispers as he stands in front of me.
These past few hours have been so harrowing all I can do is throw myself into his arms and cry.
"Ssshhh. It's ok. You're ok." He reassures me as he caresses my hair with one hand, but holds me tighter with his other arm.
"AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUUUUUU, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUUUUU!"
I turn around and look at Jose which causes him to shut up.
"It just seemed like the perfect moment for Whitney," He shrugs, "This is just so romantic."
Christian leads us to the Jet. Once we're settled and prepared for take-off, I'm feeling a little better.
"Are you ok?" Christian asks.
"I am now. Thank you, Christian."
"Shh, no need to thank me. I'd do anything to keep you and Frankie safe, Ana." I see so many emotions as I look in his eyes.
When we get in the air, and the seatbelt sign goes off. Christian goes into his office with Reynolds and Sawyer. He promises me he won't be long.
"Ana?" Jose calls my name causing me to look up, "Zeus' lightning bolt." He says as he watches Christian walk down the aisle of the plane, causing me to burst out laughing.
CPOV
I hated leaving Ana to go speak with Sawyer and Reynolds. I didn't want to let her go when she was in my arms. I could tell she was afraid because she was still trembling as I was holding her. I sensed her relaxing once we were on the jet.
"Do we have any idea who took the pictures?" I ask as soon as I enter my office.
"No, sir." Sawyer says.
"Whoever it was had to be someone who works in the hotel, or another guest staying there." Reynolds states.
"The bastard had two cars following us as we left the hotel, too."
"He also called Miss Steele as we were on our way to the airport." Sawyer tells me.
"What! How did the fucker get her number?" I'm livid and all I want to do is kill that bastard with my bare hands.
"We don't know, sir. He told Miss Steele she should be worried about who was going to raise your son if she didn't stop sticking her nose in business that didn't concern her. He further told her she was warned." Sawyer informs me.
This fucker mentioning my son causes me to see red. I will make it a personal project of mine to hunt this asshole down, find him and torture him until he begs for death.
"We will relay everything to Welch once we're back in Seattle. I need those pictures handed over to Barney. We'll see what he can find." I tell them as I head back to Ana.
I make it back to my seat and see that Ana is asleep. She's so beautiful. I would move heaven and earth for her. She's always had my heart. Randi never occupied my mind, body, and soul the way Ana does.
"She still loves you, you know?" I'm broken from my thoughts as I look up at Jose.
"She does…she has built a moat around her and her heart. You hurt her and she's afraid you'll do it, again. She hides in her work and her tough girl exterior, but she really wants to open up and trust you, again."
"She wants to put on this brave girl act, but really she's scared." He says.
"You think so, huh?"
"Oh, I know so. Just give her time. What you did tonight, showing up in your jet to rescue her? Whooo, honey! Major points. Trust me on this. I know of what I speak." He says as he places this weird thing over his eyes and leans back.
I must have dozed because when I wake, Stephan is announcing that we're back in Seattle. I wake Ana and let her know we're home.
Once we've touched down and unloaded the plane, we head back to my parents' house to get Frankie. Reynolds and Sawyer had the pleasure of taking Jose home, which Jose absolutely loved.
It's not that late, as we pull into the driveway. Taylor opens my door and I go around and open Ana's door.
"I can't wait to see my little guy. I've missed him so much." Ana says bouncing on her feet.
"I know he'll be excited to see you, too." I say as I open the door.
Frankie is standing by the front door waiting for us and immediately throws himself at Ana.
"Mommy! I missed you so much. Dad, Uncle Elliot and I had so much fun. Did you know I was a babe magnet? I'm not sure what that means, but Uncle Elliot told me I was."
"Uh huh." She says as she looks at me. Fucking Elliot.
"I missed you too buddy. I think you've gotten taller."
"Young lady, I'd like a word with you." Dad says as he and mom walk out of the kitchen.
"I know and I'm sorry. I should have listened to you, Carrick." Ana tells him as she hugs him.
"We're glad you're home safe, Ana." Mom tells her.
"Oh, uh, thank you." At this moment, the doorbell rings.
"Who can that be?" Mom wonders as she goes over to answer the door.
"Oh, Elena! What are you doing here?"
"Hi Grace, I came to speak with my future son-in-law." She says as she locks her eyes on Ana and Frankie.