Chapter 25

CPOV

I ran full-out for eight blocks and couldn't find Ana. I don't know where she got to. My chest is burning from the run but I can't let Ana slip through my fingers. I have to tell her the truth. I love her. "Taylor, escort Miss Williams out of Grey House and tell her if she ever even thinks about getting near me again she will regret it for the rest of her life."

"Yes, Sir. Mr. Grey, Andrea asked me to remind you about your meetings starting in a half hour."

"Tell her to fucking cancel my meetings! I need to find Ana. I need to explain to her."

"Is there anything I can do to help, Sir?"

"No. I think you've done enough." I hang up the phone. I know it's not Taylor's fault, but anger is the only thing stopping me from breaking down and crying. I check the time on my watch, it's been almost an hour since she ran out of my office. She has had enough time to get home by now. I'll just go and explain to her what really happened. Then we'll be OK. I hope.

I get to Ana and Kate's apartment and am banging on the door and yelling her name like the building is on fire. "Ana! Ana! Open the door!"

The door opens and it's Kate. She looks confused, "Christian, what are you doing here? What's going on?"

"I need to speak with Ana. It's important."

"She's not here. She left a couple hours ago to surprise you with lunch. What happened, Christian? What did you do to her?"

"It's complicated. I need to talk to her." I don't have time to explain what happened and I know Kate won't understand.

"You are talking about my best friend. If you want my help at all you better tell me what happened or you can leave now." The look on her face tells me that she means it and she's angry.

I sigh, realizing that if I want to have any chance of finding Ana I need to tell Kate what happened. "An ex of mine came to see me at work without being invited. I was telling her that I love Ana and she needs to leave when she kissed me. I didn't kiss her back, I swear. But that's when Ana walked into my office. She thinks I cheated on her but I didn't." I can feel tears welling in my eyes. I don't want to cry, especially not in front of someone.

"You love Ana?" I look at Kate, I guess I should be up front now.

"Yes, I do. But now she thinks I cheated on her. I swear Kate, I wouldn't do something like that. Ana is like no one else I've ever met. I've never felt for anyone else how I feel for her. Please, help me. I can't lose her."

Kate gives me a kind smile. "OK, let me see if she'll talk to me." She picks up her cell and calls Ana. It goes to voice mail. Shit. "Maybe she went to the dance studio. She wouldn't ignore that phone, I know that for sure." Next, Kate calls the dance studio but there is no answer there. Kate looks at me and now I can tell she is getting concerned for her friend. "Did you see her leave?"

"Barely, by the time I got down the elevator and to the doors, she was already at least halfway down the block. I ran eight blocks and couldn't find her." I can hear my voice starting to crack and I think Kate takes pity on me.

"Do you want some water?" Unable to speak, I just nod. "OK, let's think, where could she have gone? Ana is terrible at confrontation so she would have gone somewhere she feels safe."

"What about her father's place?"

"No, she doesn't have a car and she wouldn't want to upset her dad." We stand silently for a while when Kate's phone rings. It's their friend, Deidre. Kate answers it on speaker so I can hear too.

"Kate, have you spoken with Ana?"

"No, Deedee, actually, we were just looking for her."

Deidre sighs, "She called me about a half hour ago and was hysterically crying. She asked me if she still could take the position with the company and if she could stay with me."

Kate looks at me and her eyes are huge. "What did you tell her?"

"Kate, I told her she could. I can't turn my back on her when she's always been there for me. She sounded so distraught. The only other time I've seen her like this is when she found out about Julian's wife."

I know Diedre is still on the line but I look at Kate, "I'm taking my jet and going to find Ana."

Kate holds her finger up to me telling me to wait, "Dee, did she tell you how she was getting there?"

"She's driving. I think she rented a car. She told me she was going to drive straight through."

"Oh…" I can tell Kate is shocked about how upset Ana seems. "Dee, is it OK if we come to you? You know this isn't like Ana. I don't want her to do something stupid."

"That's why I called you."

"OK, we'll see you soon. Thanks for calling."

"See you soon, Katie."

Kate hangs up her phone. "Let me pack a bag and I'll be ready to go."

"What makes you think you're coming with me?" She looks at me like I am the biggest idiot on earth. Right now, I would agree with that statement.

"Look, Christian, Ana is my best friend. If you think I am not going with you to help her, you are sorely mistaken. And, Elliot is coming with us."

"Elliot? Why does he have to come along?"

"Because he's my boyfriend and your brother and we may need his help."

"This isn't a fucking party! I have to get to Ana."

Instantly, Kate's face contorts into anger, "You listen to me, Christian. I know you are good looking and rich, but you are the one who upset Ana. She is sweet and innocent even after all that happened. This is on you. So you have no right to tell me how and who is helping. Got it?"

Properly chastised, I just nod in agreement. She calls Elliot and he can be here ready to go in twenty minutes. I call Taylor to apprise him of the situation and he also insists on coming with us. I don't argue, I know he appreciates Ana for all she's done for Sophie and, we may be able to use his extensive resources.

Once everyone is at the apartment, which is operating like a base camp, we start with our plan. "Taylor, can you find out the last place Ana used her debit card?" Kate gives me a dirty look and I don't care. I'm going to use whatever I can to get to Ana regardless of how morally appropriate or inappropriate it is.

While we wait for Taylor to get the information, Kate texts Ana in a last-ditch effort to see if she will talk to her. She doesn't. "Sir, Miss Steele last used her debit card at Enterprise Car Rental downtown. She is scheduled to return the car to Las Vegas."

Now we know where she is going for sure and how she is getting there. "Can you track her phone, Taylor?"

"I tried. She's turned it off completely." I run my hands through my hair in frustration.

"Listen, bro. Don't worry just yet. Let's just get on the plane. We can have a plan in Vegas. You'll find her and work this out." Elliot tries to calm me down.

About three hours later Taylor, Kate, Elliot, and I touch down in Las Vegas, Nevada.