Anastasia's POV:
After a beautiful night with, Christian, and day with the two boys I'm very disappointed we have to go home. Christian tried to talk me into playing hookey, but I can't do that. I just started this job, and they took a significant risk in making me an editor. So after loading up the car, we hit the road. Christian, is looking sexy and casual in his grey jeans, baby blue sports shirt, dark blue fleece pullover and dark brown apron toe boots. I went the more comfortable route with grey sweatpants, a white floral tee and black sneakers.
"You should dress like that more often, Christian," I say, briefly taking my eyes off the road.
"And why is that?"
"Because you look devilishly handsome and less intimidating."
"You find me intimidating?" He asks without a pause.
"Sometimes."
"Hmmm…"
As I'm turning onto the I-5, I notice a dark green Dodge minivan following closely behind Luke. It could be a fluke, but, Ray always taught me to be vigilant and careful. I quickly cut into the furthest lane from me and check the mirror. Luke has followed, and so has the Dodge.
It's most likely just me overreacting. There's an exit coming up, and they're probably just getting off. Christian, nods off most likely due to last night and a very active day today. He doesn't seem like the nap kind of guy. I keep looking back every few seconds trying to figure out if this is my imagination or not. Several exits have come and gone, but he or she is still on our tail. I zig-zag through the lanes, but this unsub is relentless. Finally, just over halfway through our journey to Seattle, I decide we need to make a plan.
"Christian, don't panic, but I need you to call Luke and put him on speakerphone," I say starling him awake.
"What's wrong, Ana?"
"Just do it, please," I say taking full control of this situation. I am behind the wheel, and Christian has to understand that he cannot be in control right now. Quickly, Christian does as he's told and calls, Luke who answers right away.
"Sawyer, are you seeing what I see?"
"Yes, mam."
"Don't call me mam," I shout. "This is what we're going to do, once we pass the next exit I'm going to gun it and try and get ahead. What you have to do is try and get behind the van. I know it sounds stupid, but we need to figure out what's going on. Call Taylor and tell him to wait outside the parking lot by Sea-Tac we can get off at that exit. I know he's more qualified than I am. You and Taylor can follow the unsub."
"Holy shit! Where did that come from?" Christian says in shock.
"Sounds good to me, Ana," Luke says keeping his cool. "That seems like the only option for now. I'm going to call Taylor and if things change I'll call you again. Drive safe Ana."
"Be careful, Luke." Just like that Christian puts away his phone and buckles his seatbelt.
"Anastasia, can you handle this?" He asks in a worried voice. Oh my, fifty.
"That seems like a silly question to ask Christian," I say with a smirk. "There is nothing I can do if I can't handle this, but yes. My father is paranoid and has trained me for these types of situations."
"Well, I'll have to send him a thank you letter when we get home." Scarily enough the only thing I care about right now is Christian's safety. Why is someone following us? It's not me someone would be after. I'm a nobody, but Christian is one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in America.
Get it together, Ana. I try to shake all evil thoughts from my head. Remember what, Ray taught you. 'It's the panic that's going to kill you or get you seriously hurt.' Right, I practice my deep breathing. 'Trust your instincts and stay focused, Annie.' Rays words of wisdom are ringing in my ears. We pass the exit, and I floor it. The car lurches forward slamming me back against my seat. I swerve through the lanes trying to get ahead. I glance into my rearview mirror and watch Luke smoothly move sideways into the next lane slow down enough for the Dodge to get ahead before smoothly pulling up behind the unsub.
"Good job, Ana."
I'm calm and focused, and I can't risk distraction by taking to, Christian. Cars are honking at me as I continue to cut them off. Traffic starts to slow making it easier for the Dodge to get closer. Every so often I glance back, and the unsub is gaining on us. With fewer chances to move in and out of lanes the situation gets more tricky, but at a certain point, the Dodge can't get ahead either. Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic with someone following me is very unsettling. What if he has a gun? I see sirens up ahead, which explains the traffic an accident must have caused this heavy traffic. The lights are reassuring if the unsub has a gun they won't be likely to shoot at us with police so close.
"After we pass the traffic, I'm going to floor it again, but hopefully because of this accident a cop might follow us."
"Alright, be careful you are doing wonderfully." Christian, reassures me. The unsub seems to be more careful with the risks of cops stopping him, which is a mistake because it gives me a good advantage. I hit one hundred and ten and glance back as I see a black Escalade pull up from behind, Luke and gun it.
"Call Luke again."
"Is everything alright?" Luke asks when he answers.
"What's the situation?"
"Well the license plates are fake, so there is no way to track the car to its owner. I also can't see into the car, so we don't have much to go on right now."
"We might have a problem," I say looking into my mirror again. The black Escalade is gaining on us faster than the Dodge now. "Have you noticed an Escalade following you?"
"Quite frankly no. I've been trying to figure out what was going on with the Dodge."
"Well this might just be me being paranoid, but it seems pretty sketchy."
"It does. I'll have Welch run the plates. Can you read it to me? I can't see past the Dodge."
"Christian?"
"Bravo, Echo, Sierra, Hotel, One, Seven, Nine." Christian replies.
"I'll get back to you." Adrenaline is coursing through my body right now, and I don't think anyone wants to be around for my comedown. I'm delighted that Kate comes in tonight because I need her right now more than ever. She is not going to believe what my life has been like since she's been gone.
Luke calls back almost right away with Taylor on the line.
"Sir, I'm waiting outside the parking garage, and I'm going to try and pull up between you and the Dodge. It seems like the Escalade is on your tail as well. So I've called in a third man. Annie, it's Ray. He's the best man I know and will do anything to make sure you're safe." Taylor says in his protection mode.
"That's rather comforting. One mile to the exit get ready."
"Annie, please be safe," Ray says scaring me.
"I will daddy. You guys be safe as well. I'm about to pull onto the off-ramp." The light is green, so I shoot right through the intersection and slow down as I pass the parking garage.
"I see you," Taylor says making a U-turn between the Escalade and us. Shortly after that Ray pulls in between the Escalade and the Dodge.
"What's the plan, Taylor," Christian asks.
"The safest place to go is Escala. Ana try and lose them and get back on the I-5." Halfway through an intersection, I slow down and turn right. The Escalade has no warning so continues straight, but Ray is able to follow. I can't manage to lose them on the way to the I-5, but Ray manages to slow them down on the ramp while I speed ahead. I lurch back into my seat again, and I can feel my adrenaline fading. I have to get home before I crash. I go through the same process swerving in between cars. I don't slow down even when I lose Ray and the Dodge. I force myself to stay focused. I don't see them again until I get onto the exit for Seattle. A few turns before I finally see the comforting building I have spent the past two weeks. I turn on to the side street I often run along during my morning jog. I find a spot and park and quickly grab the overnight back from the back seat. I jump out and don't bother to lock my door. I take Christian's hand in mine and run.
My legs feel like JELL-O and can barely keep myself up, but following my route, we find our way to the entrance of Escala. I don't know if they followed us, but I need to get upstairs, now. My body only keeps itself up long enough for the elevators doors to close. I crumple to the floor, and the dam breaks loose, tears running down my face. Christian scoops me up into his arms and holds me close.
"I've got you. Everything is going to be okay." It is the last thing I hear before the world goes black.
Christian's POV:
Anastasia crashes to the floor as the elevators close which is followed by hacking sobs. Instantly I pick her up and hold her close to my chest and whisper that everything is going to be okay. Shortly after I feel her go limp, fuck. Gail is pacing in the foyer as I walk in with Ana and she gasps.
"Is she okay?" She rushes towards me.
"I think so." I continue walking past her into the living room, and she follows me. "I think it was the stress of what happened."
"I'll go make some tea and get some water." She glances at Ana before running into the kitchen. I place Ana gently on the sofa and place a throw blanket on her. I am in awe of her right now. I don't know if I could have handled that situation and she more then did. She took charge, and it was a marvel to see. She knew exactly what to do. I grab my phone and begin making calls to try and find out exactly what the fuck happened. I sit beside Ana not wanting to leave her side.
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