Chapter Thirty Six

Anna whispered as she spoke. Even though she was alone at the moment, she was still at work. Her mind was racing in confusion. Why would Jack show up at Christian's office before coming back to work? She hadn't even received a notice that he was back in town. Anna could tell he was trying to keep it together. Jack had just openly challenged Christian on his own turf. If Jack had confronted him properly, Christian would have resolved this Jack nonsense properly, but Jack was a coward. He proved his cowardice today when he decided to face him as a human, instead of as a wolf. No matter, Christian would be ready next time; he had a good whiff of Jack's scent. Since Jack liked games so much, Christian planned to lure Jack into following him somewhere secluded and he would take care of the rest.

"Christian, breathe," said Anna desperately.

Christian blinked and remembered he was on his cell phone. He was right to call his mate; Anna was already taming his other half. Christian the man was angry as well, but he could handle that. His wolf wanted to tear out of him and chase Jack down the hallway until it got ahold of Jack's jugular vein. She heard Christian inhale and exhale. When he spoke again, she heard his normal intimidating no-nonsense tone. She gave him a few more seconds to calm down before she spoke. She asked him what happened. He didn't really know what Jack was doing there himself so he decided to stick to the facts. Jack showed up at his office unannounced and had a verbal pissing contest in Christian's office. Christian was getting angry again.

"You can't lose it there; stay calm. He isn't worth it."

Christian wiped his forehead. His wolf was too close to the surface and he began to perspire. He hoped Anna had had a few more minutes to spare on the phone; he really needed her right now.

"I can assume by your surprise that he hadn't said anything to you about coming back yet."

"No, he hasn't. He's playing with both of us. He had to have known you would have told me he came to see you."

"You're right. He's up to something."

"Well if he is; we'll be ready for him."

Now Christian was nervous. Her tone had become deadly. He didn't want her near this Jack. He may not be able to physically hurt her, but he was clearly affecting her emotionally. Christian had to convince her that if Jack needed to be dealt with, he should do it. Christian may have never killed anyone, but he was more accustomed to violence. He had lived with his aggressive nature for years now. Who knew what could have happened if he attacked someone earlier in his life? He may not have come back from it. She couldn't kill Jack, no matter what.

"Anna, breathe."

He heard her inhale and exhale. They were now more similar than ever.

"We both have to get back to work. Can you come over tonight, please? I know, it's early, but I'll give up Friday."

He heard silence on the other end of the phone. Did she really not want to see him? They needed to discuss Jack further and now was not the time or place to do it.

"Yeah, I'll call Kate. I think she might be a little tired of me anyway. Be warned, she may plan something for Friday out of spite."

He smirked. Of course she would, but Christian counted on his brother Elliot to distract Kate. From what he heard, Kate and Elliot were usually locked in a hotel room somewhere during the weekend. They'd find out on Friday if Kate decided to 'plan something' for them to do.

"That's fine," he said.

She smiled. Anna knew Christian was counting on Elliot to ask Kate out on Friday, but Kate may decline. Christian had no idea what Kate was capable of when she was pissed. Well, he might find out this Friday.

"Okay, love you," she said.

"Love you too," he said.

Jack listened to his favorite female vocalist as he drove to his destination. It was an eighteen hour drive; since he didn't need sleep, he would get there by midmorning tomorrow. The only suspicious thing he did was take out a few hundred dollars from his bank account. He didn't want his bank account to list his purchase. He doubted anything would come of it. He had kidnapped a number of women and he hadn't been caught yet. Since he knew Anna, he needed to be more careful. Questions were bound to happen, but he would handle them easily.

Jack walked into the artisan's store and looked around. The man had an entire wall of blades on display. The blades that were in glass cases had signs that read not for sale. He smiled at that; if he was in a playing mood, maybe he would try to bargain for one of the elusive blades, but now was not the time. George, the owner walked toward the front of the store. He wore a worn polo shirt and brown cargo pants. His work boots were scuffed in the front. Jack was not impressed with the man's look. Even if he was a craftsman, he could still dress nice when he worked in the store.

"Hi, I heard a lot about your work; I'm a big fan," said Jack.

George eyed Jack for a moment and shook his hand. Jack could already tell, he and George were not going to be friends.

"Hello, I'm George. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you could turn this into a blade. My girlfriend and I thought since it's broken, why not do something with it."

George made no expression, but he was confused. They could have the stopwatch fixed.

"Okay…so you want me to melt it down and make it into a blade."

"Yes."

Jack knew George would do anything for the right price. George was just protecting himself to make sure Jack was trustworthy.

"Alright," said George. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"It's Simon, Simon Peterson," said Jack.

Anna was dreading her call to Kate; she could tell Kate was a little needy at the moment. She sighed and dialed Kate's cell phone number as she stood outside of the office building. Christian and Taylor would be there soon to pick her up. Kate answered on the first ring.

"Anna."

Did Kate already know what Anna was about to say?

"Hey, Kate."

"Uh huh, are you staying over at Christian's tonight?"

"Yeah, something came up and he really needs to talk."

Which was true; she just didn't give her friend the specific supernatural details about the talk.

"It's fine, he bribed me earlier today."

"What?!"

Christian had no right to interfere with her friendship like that. Now they would have another issue to talk about. Anna closed her eyes and calmed down.

"I mean, what did he give you?"

"He bought me an $800 in season Michael Kors purse!"

Anna pulled the phone away when she heard Kate scream. She also heard Kate's heels clicking on the tile in excitement. She probably looked insane.

"You should be ashamed of yourself."

"I should not. You're the one who couldn't last a week without seeing him."

Anna closed her mouth. Kate was right, but Anna did have a good reason.

"You're right…"

Kate sighed.

"Don't be upset. If you want me to give it back I will. I was just surprised; it was delivered to my desk. He also wrote the cutest note."

Anna had to know about the note.

"What did it say?"

Kate read the note to her:

Kate,

Anna cares about you so much and I am sorry that I am taking her away from you again. I hope you can accept this gift. I am truly grateful that Anna has a great friend like you in her life.

Sincerely,

Christian Grey

"Seriously, I can give it back."

"No it's fine."

It was kind of weird, thought Anna, but it was something Christian Grey would do. The note showed that he listened to Anna and respected her friendship. He just could have showed it without buying her friend a crazy expensive gift.

"No of course not, keep it and I want to see it tomorrow."

"Of course."

"Okay, well, see ya."

"Bye; just try not to make this a habit, okay."

Anna put her phone in her purse. Christian's car parked in front of her shortly after. Taylor stepped out of the car and opened the passenger door. Anna gave Taylor a 'how is he look.' Taylor responded with dread in his eyes; it was that bad. She immediately saw why Taylor looked worried. Christian's tie was off and he had unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt. He was not himself.

Christian looked over at Anna for a moment. He didn't want to speak. He just wanted her beside him. She saw his hands on his knees. She timidly reached for the hand closest to her and held it. He squeezed her hand and remained silent. She refused to read him and allowed him to sit in silence for as long as he needed. He looked over at her again.

"I let him get inside my head."

She used her other hand to rub his back to comfort him. He closed his eyes for a moment to savor her touch. She had the power to calm him down way before she discovered she was part Fae.

"Not then, but after. I let him go. Why did I do that?"

"You didn't have a choice. You were in a public place."

He shook his head. No, he could have done something. He could have had security hold him or at least embarrass him. Why did Christian listen to anything Jack had to say? Christian felt played; he did everything Jack wanted him to do and Jack knew it. Christian replayed the moment in his head over and over again throughout the day and became more agitated. If he hadn't called Anna, he would have been lost.

"It's alright. He can't hurt me, remember?"

"That's not the point."

He looked at her.

"He challenged me. I can't even shift because if I do…"

"You might hunt him down and kill him."

Christian nodded his head in agreement. The only thing that held him back was Anna. She wanted to give Jack a chance and Christian planned to honor her decision. No matter how potentially foolish it may be.

"I need you tonight. I'll be fine in the morning."

She laid her head on his shoulder and exhaled. He turned his head toward her.

"I didn't know it was this bad," she said.

"I know, I just didn't want you to worry. I'm worried more about tonight than anything else."

His urge to shift was stronger at night; especially, if his wolf was agitated. He needed to be with her tonight. His wolf needed to be reminded that she was okay and he was close enough to protect her. Anna, safe, asked his wolf? Yes, he said to his wolf. He felt his wolf lay on its side; it was at peace for now. Christian on the other hand was not. He still had to convince her of his contingency plan. She was hopeful, but he was not. Sooner or later, Jack would need to be put down.

"I know you think Jack should die, but everyone deserves a chance."

He kissed her forehead. He loved her spirit and wished the world was as beautiful as she imagined it to be. Only, this was not a fairy tale. Jack did not want redemption; he wanted Anna. He felt his wolf stir inside him. She moved her hand from his back and placed it on his chest; his wolf became calm again. He hoped she was his remedy for tonight or he might lose control.

Thanks for reading! Christian wasn't as immune as he thought to Jack's games. Anna should be his remedy, but there may be a bit of a struggle. Jack's plan is coming together, even though it's a complete waste of time. His time is coming soon.

As always, I appreciate your reviews, comments and constructive criticism.