A/N: Sorry it's been so long. Got a wonderful present from my daughter and my son-in-law. They gave me enough money to make the trip to visit my disabled sister. I haven't seen her in about 2 years. We talk weekly but seeing and talking in person is so much better. Since everyone had other places to go and I'd be alone I spent Christmas with her. Just got back late Friday afternoon.

Think I edited this but if you find mistakes please overlook them and quietly let me know about them. Thanks for all who are reading and reviewing. You have been a blessing in my time of need. So glad I can share what my mind creates. Love, peace and happiness to all in the New Year. Yep, I jumped the gun.

Chapter Twenty-eight

Desperate Times Desperate Measures

Sonja's Pov

Two days after learning about the murder of Rebecca Sanders Ana called to invite me to go shopping with her. She wanted to take me to a few shops Christian had invested in. Since she dressed like a woman who knew fashion I am willing to take her advice. Jokingly or maybe not, she corrected me when I made a comment about her dress sense.

"Oh, I'd love to take credit for my elegant look but it's all due to Christian. Well Christian and his personal shopper. I expect between the two of us we can manage to find something that won't look like you're headed to a Goth concert instead of going to a wedding where you'll be marrying one of the richest men in the country."

Of course he couldn't give over complete control so gave very explicit orders what he preferred. Maybe I should consult Christian although I think Marcus might have something to say about that. Lord, my face heats up just imagining what sort of things Marcus would like for me to wear. The things he already picked out are just short of being indecent. He has made comments to the effect perhaps I should only wear certain items around the apartment for his pleasure alone.

My heart takes a nosedive as I take in the words about how rich Marcus is. I'm not stupid so I knew on some level he had money, lots of money. Now I'm faced with the reality. How can I come close to being worthy of him? What do I have to offer other than some damn hot sex? Will that be enough to hold him? My mind goes to a baby. That would hold him or at least give me a permanent connection to him. No, I can't get pregnant just so I'll have a weapon to use so Marcus will be forced to keep in contact with me. That wouldn't be fair to any of us. We've dodged that bullet so far by the grace of God.

Damn it! I'm letting my insecurities get the best of me. Marcus loves me. He's shown me over and over and told me many times how much I mean to him. Thinking about how far we've come I can't help but feel the warmth of his love surrounding me like a warm embrace. I feel better already.

So what if what I buy today will be paid for by my lover and future fiancé? What difference does it make? He isn't buying me, I'm giving myself to him, of my own free will just as he is giving himself to me. What he has is mine and what I have belongs to him too. I don't have much but it's enough. Love doesn't need material trappings to flourish. Sure material things make life easier but only love, respecting and staying true to the bond we have will get us through anything.

Now, I'm ready to shop until we drop. "Lead the way Madame. Let's set Marcus's card on fire. He gave me one with no spending limit. Does that mean I could buy a yacht?"

Ana laughed with me. "Yeah, you could buy a yacht, whatever your heart desires. I have a similar card. So far I've only been brave enough to buy clothing, shoes and purses. I even buy things for Phoebe and Teddy. The things I buy for Christian I buy using the money I earn from working. Silly I suppose but it seems odd to buy a present or anything for him when it's his own money."

"I know how you feel. I was just thinking along those lines. It's hard to believe someone like Marcus can be happy with someone like me. I'm nothing special."

"Hello, wife of billionaire Christian Grey. Him rich, me, not so much. Money is irrelevant to how we feel. It's only a side benefit. I don't know about you but Christian and I are like gas and a match whenever we're in the same room. I know over time the sex will taper off but not anytime soon. Our love on the other hand will last on into the afterlife."

Ana links arms with me and we continue on down the street with our shadows following a few steps behind. Ana picked me up in her car. Calling ahead we arranged for our Donald and her bodyguard to drive in the same car. Arrangements have been made to park in one of the downtown garages near the shopping district.

"We're here to have a good time and find you the perfect wedding dress and all that goes with being a bride. Let's get to it."

With arms linked we say in unison, "Charge it." Laughing, my mood is lighter as we begin a marathon day of shopping.

We are lunching at an outdoor café when a young woman approaches us. I don't know her but Ana seems to know her.

"Hey Ana. Long time no see. How long has it been, a year? Man, it seems like only a few days ago I was hustling to meet a deadline. I don't regret quitting when I married Roger. I like helping in his sporting goods store. We're doing pretty good. How are things going with you and that sexy warm from the oven ginger snap?"

Ana laughs as she replies, "Sarah, he's gone from warm ginger snap to smoking hot caramel poured over vanilla ice cream." Ana's eyes take on a secretive look. I think I know why. It's the vanilla ice cream. I get the meaning even if Sarah doesn't. That description pretty well describes me and Marcus only he's melted chocolate fudge poured over his vanilla ice cream.

Our conversation turns to everyday things. Ana is sure the topics are those that will include me. If something is mentioned that happened before we met she takes the time to fill me in. When the conversation turns to my shopping for a wedding dress Sarah mentions a shop a couple blocks down. Ana hasn't ever been there but Sarah assures us it's an up and coming hot spot for the elite.

Getting the address we leave Sarah and decide to walk the short distance to the shop. I tell Donald where we're going and Ana does the same with her own bodyguard just in case we get separated in the crowd. Ana shivered when she told me how upset Christian can get when his orders aren't followed to the letter. I can relate to that. My butt was tender for days after Marcus took his anger out on my behind. Of course it did help that Marcus felt so quilty he had to kiss both cheeks every night before going to bed.

The boutique is very elegant. When we go in there doesn't seem to be anyone around. Ana goes to a rack of dresses and I go to another. They're all so beautiful it will be hard to pick one. Now I wish I'd asked Libby to come along. I didn't want to push her on Ana since this was Ana's suggestion we go shopping. Well, there will be other days I'm sure as there is so much that goes into planning a wedding. Marcus put his foot down when I suggested we only have our immediate friends and do something simple. Arrangements are already in the works to have the ceremony and reception at Christian and Ana's. Christian's parents offered their home but Marcus spoke to Christian and he and Ana were insistent about opening their house to us.

With Donald and Ana's man, Robert, sitting close by we feel able to relax. A door opening in the back draws our attention. At first I don't recognize the woman coming out but as she got closer I could see she is one of Marcus's old Ponies.

Ready to stand my ground and ask 'What the hell is the meaning of this', I'm shocked as she raises her arm and shoots both Donald and Robert. She didn't blink, hesitate or even act as if this was not something normal. The silencer on the gun prevents any sound that could alert someone on the street. She rummages in their pockets until she finds their phones. She opens them up and takes out a tiny object. I suppose it is one of Marcus's and Christian's tracking devices. I hear the crunch as she grinds them under her feet. Turning to us she puts her hand out waiting for us to hand over our phones. Her supercilious smile is enough to make me want to smack that smile right off her face. The tracking devices in our phones suffer a similar fate as Donald's and Robert's phones.

"It's done," she shouts over her shoulder as she goes to the front of the store and pulls the blinds down then turns the sign on the door to closed. The clicking of the lock sounds as sharp and loud as a gunshot thanks to my rising fear and near hysteria.

The door in the back opens again and out comes Mrs. Lincoln and a big burly man. He's carrying a gun too. Mrs. Lincoln looks a bit green when she sees the two men with blood all over their chests. The stains are spreading. Blood is still being pumped out so that means they are still alive. Risking being shot I go to Donald and press on his wound. Grabbing a garment from a rack I roll it into a tight ball then push it under his suit jacket. It's then I feel his gun. Slowly I put my hand beneath his jacket. His eyes open filled with pain but he still conveys with a look encouragement to chance getting the gun in my hands.

His eyes focus on something behind me just before I feel a crack to my skull. My lights go out. How long I was out and what happened during my forced nap remained a mystery only for a few seconds after my head cleared. We are now in the back of the store.

Moving my head slowly I find Ana. The look on her face is one of terror and something else. It is only when I see the two tiny bodies lying on the floor that my heart plummets to my stomach. I feel sick. Little Teddy and Phoebe are lying so still they look…I can't even think such a horrible thing.

"Ah, so the little whore is awake. Good. Wouldn't want you to miss anything. In case you don't know who I am I'll introduce myself. I'm Cassandra Templeton or better known as Honey, one of Marcus's goodtime fucks."

"Why…" I have to stop and swallow then clear my throat so my voice isn't a low rough sound. "Why are you doing this? I know you asked for money but why not just take it then go? Marcus and Christian were ready to pay and let you go."

"Hmmm, let me think. It could be because some little tramp came along and whored her way into Marcus's bed. It could be because he humiliated me and took everything from me without so much as a twinge of regret when he brushed me off."

She comes to squat down in front of me leaning in to say venomously, "It could be because I hate you but I hate him more and want to see you both suffer. This thing with Christian isn't my deal. It's the old broads and her ex's thing. Funny how two like men found one another in a city with hundreds of thousands of people. Fate is a nasty bitch sometimes. Christian fucked poor old Linc's wife and took his company then gutted it a piece at a time. That Elena, now there's a piece of work. You know she hates Ana's guts. That I can relate to. Ana stole Christian from her, you stole Marcus from me. Now it's payback time."

"Why bring the children into this? They have nothing to do with any of this," I asked with a plea in my voice.

"Insurance. Plain and simple. They're drugged so they'll be easily managed. The two of you won't try anything stupid if you know one of us will put a bullet in them just as easily as if they were an animal we were hunting," she says coldly. Her eyes are a soulless black pit. There's nothing but hatred there. No mercy, no pity and certainly no motherly instinct to protect the young.

"What is it you want us to do?" Ana asks her eyes never leaving her children's bodies lying so still. I can see her hands gripping tightly with the urge to go to her young and tend to them just as any normal woman would. This woman, Honey had no such instincts.

Cassandra laughs, "What do I want? Why, I want everything. I'd have settled for Marcus but I finally got that idiotic notion out of my head. I'll settle for $100,000,000. I've already sent the account number to my offshore bank. Once I confirm it's been sent then I'll decide who gets to go home and who doesn't."

"I say we fucking kill them all. We can't leave any witnesses. Right now all they have is speculation, no real proof we committed any crime. I'd like to keep it that way," Linc says as he stands over Ana's children with his gun pointed down at them. I hear Ana's quick intake of air. I'm not their mother and I want to attack that fucker. Ana has to keep a clear head. If she moves now she and her children will end up dead for sure.

"Ana," I call softly. She looks at me. I shake my head almost imperceptibly. I hope she knows what I'm trying to convey to her. When she settles back down I relax, or as much as one can relax when crazy people are pointing guns and threatening to kill small innocent children just to protect their identity.

Thinking hard I try to come up with something that will give us time to find a way out of this or maybe give Marcus and Christian time to find us.

"That woman, Sarah, is she in on this?" I ask the person I now know as Cassandra.

"Sarah? No, she's just an unwitting pawn. I'm so clever it scares me. Everyone, including Marcus thinks I'm some brainless blond airhead. I worked hard to dumb down. Would you believe me if I told you I'm a member of Mensa? It's true. From an early age my I.Q. has tested off the charts. What did that get me? Nothing. My looks on the other hand got me a lot. No one pays attention to what they say around a pretty blond. Little did they know I soaked up all that information like a sponge," she ends gloatingly.

"If I'd had more time with Marcus I could have owned him. Shit, I still could. I had fun messing with him and that Grey stiff dick. A few strokes of the keys and I could have wiped them out, destroyed them in a few seconds. This way though, hits them harder. They'll feel this loss a lot longer than losing their money. I might even go in for mass marketing the programs I created to worm my way into supposedly two of the best guarded systems in the world. Shit, after that it was a cakewalk to input the information that allowed me to send the message to the detail watching over the little kiddies. They brought them right to my door. I don't know if those two men are dead. Who knows, it may be their lucky day and someone will find them before their ticket gets punched." She has the look of how I imagine pure evil looks.

No matter what she says I believe she has no intention of letting any of us go. Already she's shot and possibly killed four men. That's not even counting kidnapping four people, two of them small children. I am praying that either or both Marcus and Christian made use of their controlling tendencies and placed tracking devices on Ana and me. I want to check my shoes and purse but can't draw attention like that. Our only other option is if one of us can somehow overpower one of our captors which is highly unlikely. Damn it, now I wish I had made use of those self defense classes I bargained for in the contract.

I'm looking down at my shoes willing them to contain a tracking device. As if Cassandra is reading my thoughts, I see a pair of women's boots come into my line of sight. "In case you're counting on one of your heroes to come and rescue you by tracking you put that out of your mind. I'm sure both of you have something. I'm counting on that. By the time either of your white knights gets here, we'll be gone." There is a crazed look in her eye that is disturbing.

"If Marcus had only taken the time to get to really know me we could have set the world on fire. As it is the technology I invented to jam what I am sure is the newest and most efficient of devices on the market will now be used to temporarily disable whatever it is you have on you." My heart is sinking further as hope of rescue is beginning to fade while despair is creeping in.

"To up the ante I'm sending a photo of the little kiddies. I'll include a message to the effect that if they want to see them alive again they shouldn't alert the authorities. I might as well send them a photo of the two of you. Maybe we should make it a group photo, the two of you naked and shackled with Linc towering over you about to unzip his pants. Wouldn't those too horny control freaks have a coronary?"

At her suggestion Ana and I cast fearful glances at each other. Being raped is every woman's nightmare. I suffered too much at the hands of my father to allow another man to touch me without my consent. He'll have to kill me.

Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln haven't said too much but Linc is steadily keeping his eyes glued to me and Ana, more on Ana than me. The hatred is almost a tangible thing. Even though I get his anger he's directing it at the wrong people and in an inappropriate way. He's too blinded by his need for vengeance to see that. That Bitch Troll is plain and simple jealous as hell that Christian is totally devoted to Ana. From the looks of her wrinkled forehead I'd say she's gotten in over her head. She's worried. That could work to our advantage.

After taking the picture of the unconscious children and sending it on with a message Cassandra says, "Up on your feet. Each of you grab a kid. Carry them out the back door. Put them in the back of the van parked there. Inside there are handcuffs connected to the wall. Put them on and make sure they lock. I'll be checking so no funny business. Both of you should feel right at home in cuffs. Maybe Linc will oblige one of you by giving you a quick fuck. Wouldn't want the handcuff thing to be a wasted opportunity."

Linc goes over to where Ana is standing and goes behind her. Wrapping his arm around from behind he pushes his hand down beneath the waistband of her jeans. When he touches a very personal spot Ana stomps on his foot.

Howling a loud, "Fuck you bitch. I was only going to touch now I think I will fuck you. You might even find you like it."

Ana and I are about to scoop up the children when Cassandra says, "Hold up. I've changed my mind. Can't have the two of you getting any ideas about running to try and save the ankle biters. Better to keep you away from them. Easier to control you if you know they'll be the first to take a bullet."

I swear this woman has ESP or something. Maybe it's having such a high intelligence quotient that gives her this edge over us.

"Remember, fight back and one of your mutts will pay."

"Linc, get them in the back of the van first. After we're on our way you can fuck her all you want. Shit, I'll even give you an extra hundred grand to fuck Marcus's whore," Cassandra says eyeing me in a way that sends shivers up and down my spine and not in a good way.

"Elena, help Linc keep an eye on the bitches. Be useful for once. I'm starting to think you're excess baggage. You know how I deal with things I don't need," Cassandra threatens.

Elena hustles to lift the smaller Phoebe into her arms. Linc carries Teddy. Ana bits her lip in an effort not to scream for them to get their filthy hands off her children. I could see the toll this is taking on her. Seeing your child in danger and not be able to do a damn thing to protect them has to be one of the most horrible things a parent can suffer other than watching your child die. I don't like thinking about them dying but it is in the forefront of my mind as I am sure it is in Ana's.

True to her word Cassandra checked to make sure we couldn't escape our cuffs. The floor in the back doesn't have any covering to prevent the ridged metal digging into us. We suffer being tossed around banging against the sides with bruising force. Linc sits on a milk crate so Elena could sit in the passenger seat with Cassandra driving.

Perhaps fifteen to twenty minutes passes before our speed slows then we stop altogether. First the children are taken out. I am sure Ana died a thousand deaths to see her children in the arms of these people then lose sight even if it is only for a minute. The only way I can imagine how she is feeling is to put Marcus or one of my friends in the place of the children. My heart stills then begins to hammer in my chest. It hurts just thinking about anything happening to them. I don't want to know it firsthand.

Linc is getting antsy after half an hour. His quick pacing is worrisome. Every so often he stops in front of Ana. The flush on his cheeks as well as the tightening at the fly of his jeans is evidence he is aroused and getting more so with each passing second.

Frantically I begin looking around for something to use as a weapon. We are saved by Cassandra cursing loudly, incensed by something she is reading on her phone.

"Those fuckers. They want to play games? Well, I'll play along and I'll play dirty. They think because I'm a woman I won't harm children? They don't know who the fuck they're dealing with." She fires off a couple rounds in the air. Everyone jumps at the sudden noise.

Shoving the phone in Ana's face Cassandra angrily grits out, "You see how little they care? Those assholes are refusing to transfer my money. I'll teach those bastards not to fuck with me. Elena, shoot the cunts offspring. Linc, you can fuck one or both of them. I'll even take pictures to foreward on so everyone will have a keepsake of this glorious day when Christian Grey and Marcus Devlin chose money over the safety of their loved ones."

"No," Elena whispers as the gun in her hand shakes with the trembling of her hand.

"What the fuck do you mean no?" Cassandra is holding her weapon with both hands as if trying hard not to use it. I don't think that's the case. I think she is just trying to calm herself so if she does fire she won't miss.

"I…I didn't sign on to kill children. I may be a lot of things but I haven't sunk that low yet." She's backing away as Cassandra looks from her to Ana's children.

"Fuck Cassandra, I'll do it. I'm not squeamish about doing them. Serves that fucker Christian's right for taking everything from me. Now it's payback." Linc goes over to stand by the small inert forms.

Gauging the distance I pray I can make it. Rising to my feet I lunge forward tackling Linc from behind. He rolls to the side then is standing over me before I can catch my breath. With a diabolical smile he moves his gun from my direction to point it at Teddy and Phoebe again. If he's going down he's taking Christian's children with him. I guess his hatred is so strong it doesn't bother him the children are the only innocents in all of this.

Lunging over I throw myself across the two small bodies trying to cover as much of them as I can. God in his mercy has kept them out of this living hell in peaceful sleep. Whatever drug they used is something very strong. I worry it might be too strong since they have been out for so long.

The last things I see before all hell breaks loose are Linc pointing the gun at me, a flash, then I hear gunfire coming from everywhere. I feel a burning in my side. A moan escapes my mouth as I press my hand to my side. Feeling the wetness coating my hand I raise it up to see red, blood, my blood. Am I going to die?