Chapter 29

The press was abuzz. Richard Kavanagh, the once high-class media mogul was found guilty of domestic abuse and assault on his daughter. He was sentence to twenty-five years in prison and was scheduled to be transported to Shelton, the reception and diagnostic center today. Kate breathed in relief when she was told the verdict. She did not go to court every day, only when she had to testify since it was a security nightmare for the courthouse security force and for the security team that had been assigned to her and Ava by Christian. She sat at her desk at home and stared at her laptop screen while Ava slept peacefully in the Moses bed beside her. She didn't feel like working. She decided to let her assistant editor deal with the daily problems of the newspaper. After all, she was on maternity leave. She smiled as she watched her baby girl sleep without a care in the world then jumped when the phone rang.

"Hello." Kate said.

"Sis…it's Richard. The fucker escaped police custody just an hour ago." Ethan's voice was full of worry and anger. "Sis, I think he's after you. Fuck, please tell me that you have security."

"I do, Bro." She stood up. Her heart raced wildly. "Does Elliot know?"

"Yeah, I called him before I called you. He's on his way to you now." Kate could hear Ethan's vehicle so she knew he was on the road also. "Take Ava and go to the Panic Room. Stay there until we tell you it's all clear. Do you understand, Kate?"

"God, yes, I understand, Ethan. I'm not stupid." She retorted angrily.

"No you are not stupid, just fucking stubborn. Listen, it's just not you now. You have to think about your baby and your husband. If anything happened to either of you, I don't think Elliot could handle it."

"I'm heading to the Panic Room. Call me on my cell. I need to be connected to someone. Ethan, I love you."

"I love you, too, Sis. Now go. Don't waste time."

Ana sat at the island in the kitchen enjoying a cup of tea while Gail sorted out lunch plans and Staci sat in her high chair having a snack and chattering away about going to the office with her Daddy once again. Ana had to laugh knowing that Christian probably let the little girl buy another toy store chain or a candy store. She gently caressed her baby bump and smiled knowingly. She was only three weeks away from delivery of Christian's son. She took a sip of her tea when her eyes went to the television screen where a breaking story was being announced.

"Gail, turn up the sound." Ana said.

"This just in. Richard Kavanagh, the former CEO of Kavanagh Media, has escaped police custody during a routine transfer to Shelton Reception and Diagnostic Center. Kavanagh was found guilty of domestic abuse against his now ex-wife, Denise Kavanagh, and assault against his daughter, Katherine Kavanagh Grey, who is married to Elliot Grey, the brother of Christian Grey. Richard Kavanagh is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. If you see Richard Kavanagh, please contact the police by dialing 911."

"Oh, fuck." Ana breathed as she listened to the report. "Gail, take Staci and go to the Panic Room. It's just a precaution. I have to find my phone." Ana's heart was racing as she went into her office to take her phone off the charger. She stopped and went to the wall cabinet where she kept her gun under lock and key. She knew that Christian hated that she had a firearm in their home, but she felt it was necessary for self-protection. She quickly loaded the gun; made sure the safety was on and grabbed another box of ammo. Being pregnant, it was hard to move quickly and quietly. She could hear the security team scurrying around the compound. She made it to the Panic Room that was just off the Security Suite. She nodded at Reynolds who was monitoring the computers.

"Mrs. Grey, we are secure. I don't think you need to go to the Panic Room."

"It's just a precaution. I would rather be safe than sorry. I'm sure Mr. Grey is on his way home as we speak and he will feel better knowing that I took our safety seriously." She gave Reynolds a gentle smile. "Be careful, Reynolds."

"Yes, Mrs. Grey." He went back to watching over the monitors.

Gail was sitting in the rocking chair holding a sleeping Staci. She was calm as Ana walked in then shut and latched the door. "How's it going out there?"

"It's all good. Reynolds is watching the monitors, the gates are closed and locked, all cameras are on and security is patrolling the grounds. We are just being cautious." Ana sat at the desk where she could watch what going on outside. She laid her gun on the desk. "I'm sure once Christian and Jason get here we will get the all clear."

"It's better to be safe than sorry." Gail said lowly. "Do you think he will come here?"

Ana shrugged. "I have no idea, Gail. Richard hates the Greys, and he threatened that he would get even with Elliot and Christian for taking his company. He will go after either Kate or me. He won't take on Elliot or Christian because he is fucking coward. He can only beat on women."

"And, the gun?"

"Just a little extra protection, Gail. Don't worry, I am very well trained in firearms."

"Mr. Grey will have a fit when he learns that you have a gun in here with Staci."

"Probably, but I wasn't leaving it behind. In here, I know it won't be used against me." She gave Gail a reassuring smile then went back to watching the monitors. She used the mouse to move the outside camera to see the backdoor. "I thought Christian would have called by now."

And, just like that, her phone started to ring. She picked it up. "Are you alright Christian?"

"I'm on my way home. I just heard. Elliot's with Kate, Ava, and Ethan."

"We went to the Panic Room…just for precaution." Ana said hoping that this information would calm Christian's fears. She could hear the worry in his voice.

"Thank god." He sighed in relief. "Are you alright, baby? Do I need to call an ambulance to the compound to take you to the hospital?"

"Christian, I am sitting here in the Panic Room with Gail and Staci. Why would I need an ambulance?"

"Just in case you go into labor. Fuck, baby…you are three weeks from delivery. All this stress could send you into premature labor." He was getting nervous again.

"Sweetheart, I am fine. Baby Grey is sleeping now. Just get home to me. I miss you." Her voice dropped lower and she purred the last three words.

"Taylor, drive faster!" Christian yelled making Ana laugh. Her eyes were still scanning the monitors and moving from camera to camera.

"Fuck." She breathed. "Christian, tell Taylor not to bring you to the front gate. Go around."

"Ana! What is it?"

"It's Richard Kavanagh. He's at the front gate. Shit, he has a gun and he just shot Martin." Ana knew that Reynolds was seeing this also and had already notified the police and asked for an ambulance. "Christian, please do not come here. Have Taylor take you anywhere safe…do not come home until the police get here."

"I'm not going to run away and leave you there."

"Christian, I am in the Panic Room. He can't get to me in here and we can stay here for days if we need to." She looked over to Gail who was as white as a ghost. "Please, baby…back off and let the police do their jobs…that's why we pay taxes."

Richard had to laugh. "Fucking Greys and all their fucking money! Still can't buy you decent help!" He stepped over the still body of Robert Martin who he shot at point blank range. Richard started to press any and all buttons to get the heavy iron gate open. His smile just grew as the gate slowly opened. "Yes." He didn't bother to hide as he walked boldly up the drive as if he owned the place. He couldn't believe that there were no other security officers. He frowned. Maybe the little bitch's friend wasn't in residence. He shrugged his shoulders. He could still fuck up the house leaving a message that the Grey family was not safe in their own home. It was too easy to take out that gatekeeper. Richard stood in the middle of the white granite parking area in front of the beautiful house that Christian bought for his beloved wife. He had to give Christian credit for having good taste. This house was more than beautiful, it was a fucking palace, fit for a Queen. "Yes, his Queen, the lovely Anastasia." He was about to take a step onto the massive wraparound porch when he heard the click of a cocking gun. He raised his hands.

"Get down on the ground. On your stomach." A deep voice commanded. "Now!"

"Now, let's not got get trigger happy. I just want to see Mrs. Grey." Richard said.

"Get down!"

"Fuck you!" Richard came around with his gun drawn and shot wildly toward the voice. The bullet struck a window sending glass through the air. Another shot was heard. Richard stood with his mouth wide open, and a pain racing through his chest. He looked down to see a red stain spread across his denim shirt. He dropped his gun and fell to his knees. Reynolds raced from his vantage point and kicked the abandoned gun out of Richard's reach. The convict looked up at the security officer with surprise. "You shot me."

Reynolds kept his gun trained on the man. "No, you bastard, I fucking killed you." Richard fell forward onto the step bleeding out as sirens filled the air. Reynolds still kept his gun trained on the fallen man as a dozen of police cruisers and ambulances raced up the drive.

"Sir, put the gun down." A young officer bellowed as he drew his gun. "Put the gun down."

"My name is Reynolds, I am a member of Christian Grey's security team."

The officer holstered his sidearm and approached Reynolds and the unresponsive body. "You can stand down now, Sir. All is well."

"I don't think so."Reynolds fell to his knees. He dropped his gun and pulled open his suit jacket to show that he had a stomach wound. "The asshole fucking shot me."

"Crap! I need an ambulance, now! Officer down." The young cop went to Reynolds. "It's alright. We got you. You did good, sir."

Reynolds reached out and gripped the policeman's arm. "Tell Mrs. Grey it's alright to come out of the Panic Room, but not before this trash is removed from her home. Tell her I did my best not to get hurt…she's going to be pissed when she finds out I went and got myself shot!" He laughed. "Fuck, that hurts! I wish the bastard was still alive so I could kill him again." Reynolds passed out as the paramedics made their way to him.

Red and blue lights greeted Taylor and Christian as they turned onto the street that led to the Grey Compound. They were stopped and not allowed to proceed until they showed proof of their identities. Christian had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep his temper in check.
All he wanted was to find his wife and child and make sure that they were safe.

"I apologize, Mr. Grey." An officer said. "We have to make sure. The Press has already arrived." He pointed toward the news satellite trucks and reporters. "I will get you an escort."

A police cruiser led the black Audi with blacked out windows down the street and onto the Grey Compound. Reporters were yelling questions and photographers were taking pictures of the Audi.

"Fucking parasites." Taylor growled.

"Can't we go faster?" Christian nearly screamed. His heart was pounding. He felt sick. Ana had to be safe. She just had to be.

Christian shot out of the Audi even before Taylor hit the brakes. He stopped, his face turning white when he saw Reynolds on the gurney being loaded into the back of an ambulance. "Ana? Where's Ana?"

"Mrs. Grey, Mrs. Taylor, and Miss Staci are still in the Panic Room. I swear, Mr. Grey, they were never in danger. He never got into the house…never."

"It's alright, Reynolds. You did well." Christian took the man's hand. "Thank you, for keeping my family safe."

Reynolds smiled even though he was in great pain with his stomach burning. "Just doing my job, Sir."

"We have to go." A paramedic declared. "He's lost a lot of blood." Christian only nodded. Taylor stood with him as their attention went to the dead man laying on the drive.

"Stupid fucker." Taylor whispered. "What made him think he could get through?"

"Delusions of greatness." Christian replied with a sneer. "Where is the rest of the team?"

"Doing their job, sir…patrolling the parameter as they should in case Kavanagh wasn't alone and to keep the Press at bay."

"Mr. Grey?" Christian turned to see Sergeant Clark in his usual badly fitted suit. "I will need a statement from you sir."

Christian had to laugh. There was a dead man on his driveway, one of his men wounded, and his wife was hidden away in the Panic Room and this asshole wanted a statement. "You know more than I do. I just got here. You tell me how this piece of shit escaped police custody and broke into my home."

Taylor reached out and touched Christian's arm. "Sir, we need to see to Mrs. Grey and Gail. They must be worried."

"Clark, I will give you statement after I check on my wife and child. Get this piece of crap off my property."

"The body can't be moved until the…"

"Do you think I give a fuck? I don't want my child or my pregnant wife seeing this!"

"Sir, please…we will keep them in the house. They won't see this. I'll have this cleaned up before evening." Taylor moved his boss towards the house before Christian did something to get himself arrested. "It's cold, Sir…you don't need to get sick with a baby on the way."