The Color Grey by Mary Pseudonym


Chapter Twenty-Eight - Loaded Gun

Upon Christian's insistence, I find myself on the way up to his penthouse. I loathed to leave him alone in the hospital, but he said he wouldn't hear of me spending another night in there with him. When he said that he wanted to imagine me waiting at home for him, that the mental image of me sleeping in his bed would make him recover quicker, I reluctantly acquiesced to his request. The man does not play fair, and I have no issues with that.

Honestly though I cannot wait to jump into a nice steaming hot shower. The clothes I have been wearing since yesterday morning are starting to feel gross, and my hair doesn't bear talking about. As I step out of the elevator as it opens, I take in the absolute quiet and calm of the great room. I thought I would feel weird being in this apartment alone, without Christian, yet it doesn't feel strange at all.

Instead of feeling out of place, I feel like I have just gotten home. Even though he hasn't been here since yesterday, I can smell his scent as I walk into his bedroom. A smile captures my face as I strip off my clothes and tuck them into the dirty clothes hamper; I can see where some of my clothes have been neatly hung in his closet. With the unashamed air Christian has given me, I stride through his master suite completely nude.

Turning the shower to hot, I let the water get to temperature before I step under. A long sigh escapes my lips, the final bit of tension leaving my body. Now that I know Christian is going to be okay, now that I can finally see him letting go of Mrs. Robinson completely, I feel something akin to contented. The only thing that would make this shower perfect would be Christian being in here to enjoy it with me.

I don't know how I will be able to spend the entire night in luxury when I know he is all alone back at the hospital. Yet I know that is not the real reason I don't want to spend the night away from him if I am being perfectly honest with myself. I can feel a itch building, one that I know only Christian can scratch. The further I get away from Monday morning, especially after the stress of Christian in danger, and our last spectacular fuck the hornier I get. Despite this I don't let my hand linger too long between my legs as I wash myself, as this orgasm definitely belongs to Christian when he is up for it.

Once the past twenty-four hours have been washed away, I step from the shower completely refreshed; I surprisingly don't even feel tired, only unsatisfied. I wrap one of the oversized fluffy towels around my body, but leave my soaked hair to dangle down my back. When I am no longer dripping I walk out of Christian's room and head into the kitchen. A sudden wave of hunger has hit me, and I realize that it has been some time since I have eaten anything proper; I can only imagine Christian's displeasure.

As I stand in front of the fridge, examining its contents, I suppress a shiver. The cool air from the fridge and my wet hair ensure I don't think twice about the unexpected chill I feel. I spy some meals that Gail has prepared, pulling out an exquisite looking pesto pasta dish and placing it into the microwave. The delicious smell wafts through the kitchen as I wring my hair out a little into the sink.

When another involuntary shiver runs through my body, I turn to head back into the bedroom to put some clothes on. That is when I see it. The balcony door is wide open, and I know for certain that I didn't open it. There is no way that Gail, Jason, or any member of the staff left it open. Instantly I am on high alert. Alas I am not quite quickly enough.

My hand is just about to grab the apartment phone when an arm snakes around my waist and pulls me backwards into a hard chest. In a flash I should have been fast enough to prevent, another arm pins my own arms down. My heart is beating rapidly in my chest, my mind trying to think of a way out of this stronghold. That is when I hear a sickening snigger right by my ear.

"And to think I didn't even know you would be here," says an immediately recognizable voice in my ear. Jack Hyde has me completely at his mercy, and he knows it. "Just another thing that should have been mine that Grey has taken from me." Jack leans in close and takes a long sniff, his nose grazing along my neck.

I don't let panic set in, not quite yet. Jack doesn't know I have skills, knowledge of how to get myself out of tricky situations. However I am not sure if he knows just how well he has trapped my body with his hold. With luck he will loosen his grip if he thinks I am stupid with fear. I release a manufactured sob from my mouth, let my body shake and reveal my genuine horror.

"Please, I can get you anything you want." He laughs at my stressed out voice, and I am just glad he cannot see the look of pure hate on my face as it would only spur him on.

"Oh, believe me Miss Steele you are going to give me everything I want." He pulls me tighter against him, pushing his lower body harder against my behind. "Starting with that whoring pussy of yours and finishing with Christian's life."

With a tug from one of his hands, my towel drops to the ground beneath us. I feel the first grips of real and absolute fear. If I cannot get away, nothing good is going to happen to me tonight. I have to play this one hundred percent perfectly. My eyes dart around the kitchen, trying to formulate a plan before it is too late.

"What do you mean Christian's life?" I don't have to ask what his plans are in regards to me; I know he plans on finishing what he began in the bar that night.

"When I started down this road I thought I would be okay just talking his money and his possessions." Jack's left hand moves from my waist and begins to run across my stomach as he talks. "However after the intense joy I felt seeing him in the hospital, I think killing him would be the absolute goal here." I feel the erection growing against my back, yet all I can seem to focus on is that Jack Fucking Hyde just said he wanted to murder Christian.

"You can have me, do anything to me." I feel a tear fall from my eye, glad that Jack isn't able to see it. "Please, just don't hurt Christian."

"Save it Steele," he says with his lips pressed against my ear. His breath is hot and reeks of bourbon; yet he doesn't appear impaired at all. "I know you are only after his money too. That is what all you whores are after."

His hands slip lower on my body, and I cannot help but try to squirm away from him. This only causes him to throw his head back and laugh; all the while tightening his slimy grip on my body even harder. I feel him thrust his lower body against my ass, a groan of pleasure escaping his lips as he does so. My mind is starting to panic, and I cannot let that happen or I will really be in trouble.

"Now, I think I want to take my time with you." As Jack speaks, I feel him push me forward. "Make sure you know who is in charge."

While Jack begins to walk me towards the lounge, the microwave beeps to signal it is finished. The loud unexpected sound allows me to make my move. As he turns towards the sound, I push all my weight downwards with a sudden maneuver. The double movement allows me to break free. This freedom is short lived however, as his hand grips onto my hair that is trailing behind me.

He spins my body around, slamming me hard against the wall. It completely knocks the wind out of me, my lungs struggle to take in air for a moment. One of his hands goes around my neck, squeezing with obvious intent. His other hand is twisting my right wrist painfully. However I won't give him the satisfaction of showing him my pain or fear. Instead I look straight into the face of my captor, hate billowing from my fixed stare.

"I knew you were the type of bitch to play games," his eyes burn into mine as he talks. Then his gaze moves lower, my naked body on display and he drinks it in. "You are going to spread those legs for me tonight, and I will make you scream like he never could."

Jack increases the pressure of his grasp around my neck, the pleasure on his face increases as I gasp for air. I recognize the look in his eyes, it is one of danger and malevolent intent. As I hear him moan straight from his chest, I know exactly what he is thinking about. Suddenly I realize I can play this one of two ways, and I think I know the right one to go with.

With all the strength I can muster and letting my most seductive smile capture my features, I bring my hand lightly up to his chest. His hold decreases in power ever so faintly. I tilt my head slightly to the side and watch the expression on his face change from one of control to one of skepticism. He isn't buying it, not quite yet. I have to really sell this performance and pray that I do not lose the dangerous game I am engaging in. At great personal cost I make a purring sound low in my throat, vibrating the hand still wrapped around it.

"If only you knew how rough I need it, Mr. Hyde." As he releases my neck and caresses the side of my face, he meets my gaze; there is a sparkle within his eyes. "You wouldn't be so quick to claim the ability to make me scream." I arch my back off of the wall, pressing my breasts into his chest. His eyes don't leave mine, not yet.

"Show me," he says as he lets go of my wrist, his now free hand moves along my thigh. His hands are no longer holding me, I could break free. However, I know that I won't be able to reach the phone in time.

Taking his hand off my thigh, I begin to lead him towards the kitchen bench. I can still feel his gaze on me, watching me from behind, the urge to vomit overwhelming. As I near the knife block though, he tugs me against his back and runs his hands all over me. I can feel him shaking his head from behind me.

"Do you really think I am that stupid Miss Steele?" He uses one foot to widen the opening between my legs as he talks, one hand now cupping my right breast as the other gets nauseatingly close to my pussy.

"So you don't want to bend me over the counter and fuck me hard?" I lean back against him, smiling up at him with innocence. "It is what Christian would do," I add after I few seconds. I can see him recognize the challenge of my statement, his baser urge to dominate Christian so clearly obvious.

"How about I claim all of your holes Miss Steele, and leave you dirty and used like the whore you truly are?" His face is mad with the power he is feeling in this moment. I feel a glimmer of hope bloom within me; I just might have him.

"So are you just going to keep teasing me, or are you going to do it already?" He surprises me by pushing me forward, my torso laying across the counter. My ass is pressed against him and both his hands are gripping my hips, but I am ready. I have cooked in this kitchen a bunch of times, and I know where everything is.

"When I am done with you, Christian is going to be distant memory." As he leans back and I hear the tell tale sign of a zipper descending, I spring into action for the second time tonight.

I lean down hard and bring my legs suddenly upwards. Jack lets out a surprised swear word, his hands already clambering for me as I reach for the drawer next to me. The first thing I lay my hand on is my goal, the heavy rolling pin I rolled pastry out with last week. Swinging it powerfully behind me as Jack grabs my hair, I connect it with his head.

He falls down with a hard thud, and I sprint to the phone next to the kitchen. I dial what I think I remember being security's number, I hear Jason's gruff voice as Jack grips my ankle from the ground. As he tugs my leg, I land on the floor beside him. The phone is still clasped in one hand, the rolling pin in the other.

"Jack is in the apartment," I say as quickly as I can before trying to hit Jack again. He sees it coming this time though, grabbing my arm before I can make it slam into the side of his face. With a twist the rolling pin clangs loudly on the kitchen tiles, spinning across the ground and out of my reach.

"You are going to wish you were dead after I am done with you bitch," he says as his whole face transforms into hatred. "You will certainly never walk the same again."

I kick out randomly, making contact with his nether regions. This earns me a punch to the side of the head, plus a few jabs to my midsection. I start to see stars and taste blood in my mouth, Jack's strength surprisingly intense. One of his hands goes around my neck once more, squeezing. I hear his zipper again. An evil expression is looking down at me as Jack leans back.

Something primal snaps inside of me, and my hands grab at Jack's face. He screams as I gouge my thumb into his right eye socket, releasing me to pull my hands from him. As he cradles his now bloodied face, I scramble towards the counter. Pulling myself shakily up, I grab the biggest and sharpest knife I can reach before collapsing back on the floor.

"You fucking bitch," Jack's visceral tone reaches my ears as I look back towards him. His left hand is pressed against his right eye, his body crawling across the ground towards me. "You fucking whore."

As he reaches me, as he goes to grab at my pussy, I thrust the knife upwards and into his stomach. His eyes look at me in disbelief before they register the pain. He drops the hand from his face, punching me in the head before grabbing for the knife. I twist the blade in my hand, causing him to squeal in pain.

Both our hands are intertwined on the knife, both of us trying to gain control of the blade. With all the power left in my rapidly declining reserve I push down on the end of the handle, causing the blade to pivot upwards inside of Jack. His scream is animalistic, and I know that I have done real damage. When his hands abandon the knife they move instead to grip each side of my face.

With decreased strength, but still powerful force, Jack thrusts my head into the kitchen cabinet. My hands lose their grip on the knife, my entire body going limp. I watch as Jack withdraws the knife from inside himself, while trying to blink away the haze from my eyes. Black oozes from Jack's wound, his hand clapping over the top of the opening.

"Black blood, not a good sign Hyde." My voice is croaky, and I sound impaired even to my own ears. However I am not trying to be intimidating, my only goal is to distract for now, so I don't care how pathetic I come across.

As he looks up from his wound, his eyes are wild. Already as he points the knife towards me I can feel my struggle to keep my eyes open. There is black descending from all corners of my vision, my body feels too heavy even though I am not moving. The blade is almost upon me when suddenly I hear something coming from behind me.

The pain stricken gaze on Jack's face momentary changes to a look of horror, then an impossibly loud noise ends it all. Jack's head explodes, his body falling beside me immobile. I want to scream, yell, do anything really but my head hurts too much to do any of that. Before everything blacks out completely, I think I hear my name.

The sweet release of the darkness lasts but a mere moment. Jason Taylor, now my savior as well as Christian's, appears in front of my eyes. The concern I see contained within makes me instantly want to tell him everything is okay. Yet when I go to speak, nothing comes out. Instead Jason pulls out a wash cloth from under the sink and wipes something from my face.

"Ana, look at me," his voice comes through load and clear. I try to make eye contact, but my eyes so desperately want to close again. "Stay with me."

Despite the layer of sweat that now covers my body which implies exhaustion, I feel eerily cold and horribly still. I can hear Jason barking orders to someone, feel him covering me up with his jacket. My body begins to shake uncontrollably, the need to vomit unbearably oppressive. Pain seems to be shooting to any and all parts of my body, the worst of it stemming from the left side of my head and my throat.

I cannot tell if Jason holds onto me the entire time because eventually not even his gentle words can keep my eyes open. Vaguely I am aware of being loading onto something, the soft mummers of other people just making it through the thick fog of my hazy brain. It is almost like I am not even there with my body, but somewhere far off past this point in time. I think I am trying to speak again, as I hear someone shush me soothingly.

"How long before you got here?" The voice sounds clinical, detached.

"I suspect moments before the injuries occurred," Jason's uncharacteristically shaken voice says. "I have no idea how long he was here with her though."

"And that was?" I feel as though we are moving, like I am being led somewhere.

"Just before I called 911, about twenty minutes ago." As I try to open my eyes, I feel someone squeeze my arm firmly yet kindly.

"Just after you killed the man on the kitchen floor back there," says another voice. This voice is strong, intimidating. Even through the haze of my brain it basically announces him as a police officer.

"Please, you can interrogate him all you like once I get the patient to the hospital." It is the clinical voice again, but now with a severer tone. "Any sexual assault?" The voice softens, but somehow remains detached.

"I have no idea," Taylor's voice cracks as he answers. "I hope to whatever higher power is listening that I got here in time."

They are all quiet for a few moments, no one noticing as I open my eyes ever so slightly. I can tell we are in the elevator, going down from Christian's penthouse. That is about all I can tell before the struggle to keep my eyes open becomes too much. I want to speak, to thank Jason for being there and saving me.

I wonder if this is how Christian felt as he was taken to the hospital, wonder if he felt as helpless as I do now. After everything that Ray taught me as a young girl, I still ended up a defenseless woman. With all my training, my skills, Jack Hyde could still have taken whatever he wanted from me. At least Gail keeps her knives nice and sharp, and Jason had a loaded gun.

We start to move forward again, the lobby of Christian's building hush silent as I am wheeled through it. The sirens are still blaring outside as they load me up and into the back of the ambulance. I still cannot manage to reopen my eyes, but once I hear the ambulance doors close I no longer try. Instead I submit to the darkness, submit to being powerless.


Author's Note:

I had a debate with myself about putting a trigger warning on this chapter, still on the fence about it. If anyone has a strong feeling that I should, please let me know. Sorry that this is the chapter I returned with after the delay.

I wish I could explain why there was such a massive delay, but it was a number of things to be honest; a number of not very fun things.

The most trivial reason is that I am hesitant to finish this story at the moment, as I have enjoyed writing it so much and it is giving me something to focus on when I need it. Alas there are only Thirty Chapters planned, which if everything goes to plan will only see us through until the end of March.

All elements of the book remain the property of E. L. James.

~ M.P.