35

APOV

With a blink of an eye, I am safe in Christian's arms. "Baby, honey, are you OK? Did he hurt you?" I hear a struggle behind me as Elliot and Taylor subdue Aaron.

I can't hold it in any longer and the tears I was holding back earlier come flooding out. "How, how did you know I was in here?"

Christian hugs me close. "Taylor was reviewing the CCTV footage and spotted someone who looked suspicious. When you didn't come back right away and the bathroom was empty I knew something was wrong. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you again."

"Christian, you have nothing to be sorry about. You saved me from something that was sure to be bad." The adrenaline rush to my body is causing me to shake and sob more.

"Come on, baby." He picks me up like a young child and carries me through what must be a back hallway used at one time by the staff and up to the third floor. He opens a door and inside is what I assume his childhood bedroom. Christian as a moody teenager is so prevalent in here. He sits me on the bed and first removes my mask and then my shoes. He's lightly massaging my feet. "Are you OK? Can I get you anything?"

I shake my head no. "Do you need to go meet up with Taylor?" He looks at me and I know he is torn. He wants to go help Taylor and Elliot but he also doesn't want to leave me.

"No, I don't want to leave you alone."

"Christian, go. It's all right. I won't go anywhere." There's a quiet knock on the door and when it slowly opens, Elliot is standing there.

"Christian, the police have agreed to meet us at the end of the driveway so a scene isn't made. Taylor and I are going to take him out there a while."

"Christian, go. I'll be OK. I promise."

"I'll only be a couple of minutes." He bends down and gives me a kiss. "I love you, Ana."

"Thank you. I love you too, Christian." He leaves and quietly shuts the door. I take deep breaths to try and calm down.

The door slowly opens once again and Grace peeks in. "Ana, dear. Christian told me what happened. How are you doing?"

"I'll be fine, Grace." She walks over to me and sits down on the edge of the bed next to me.

"Anastasia, if raising Christian and Elliot has taught me anything, it's knowing when someone is lying. You just went through something very scary; it's perfectly normal to be upset. How about some tea?"

"Please. That would be lovely." Grace leaves the room heading to the kitchen. What would have happened if Christian hadn't come in? Would Aaron have killed me? I have a hard time reconciling the Aaron from a few minutes ago to the one I knew a year ago or at least thought I knew. I try not to think about it anymore; I don't want to cry more.

Grace comes back with a mug of tea. "Here you go, darling. How are you doing?"

"Thank you. I'm better." I hold onto the mug to warm my fingers and try to stop shaking.

"Ana, I just want to tell you how happy I am for you and Christian. You are so good for him. You know, he consumed himself with his work and I was afraid he would not find happiness."

"Thank you, Grace. But I am the one who should be grateful. Christian may not recognize it but he has a lot of love to give." Grace smiles and gives me a hug.

At that instant, Christian walks into the room. "The police have taken Aaron in for questioning and since this is his second offense the judge won't grant him bail. The investigators want to speak with you to get your statement but I told them they can stop by the apartment tomorrow. Let me take you home."

"Oh, Christian, you don't have to leave the party due to this. I know it's a big event."

"Nonsense, Ana. You should go home with Christian and relax. Everything will be fine here. You guys can leave out of the back and no one will be the wiser."

"Come on, baby. Let's go. I want to get you home."

CPOV

I still feel awful I couldn't protect Ana. She's sleeping in my arms in the back of the SUV. Everything that happened wore her out. And, we didn't even get to announce our engagement. I look down at her left hand and smile. I still can't believe this. There is a part of me who thinks I don't deserve her, but since I am never letting her go it doesn't matter.

The detective is coming by the apartment in the morning and then we're flying to the Napa Valley for a nice overnight trip to help relax and celebrate our engagement. We'll go wine tasting, out to dinner, and have some time at the spa. I invited Elliot, Kate, and Mia with us. I think it will be good for us all to hang out.

We pull up in front of Escala. "Do you need help with Miss Steele, Sir?"

"I'll be fine, thank you, Taylor." I open the back door and scoop Ana into my arms. Her eyes flutter open sleepily.

"Christian, are we home?" She can barely keep her eyes open. She looks tiny in the gown and if the night had gone differently I'd be peeling her out of it. Luckily, I have the rest of my life to do that. I carry her through the foyer and great room to our bedroom.

I set her down on the bed and start to take her shoes off. "Christian, you don't have to do that. I can get it." I look over at her and her eyes are closed once again.

I kiss her forehead, "I got you, baby." Once her shoes are off, I gently take her gown off. It was a bit more complicated because Ana was out cold and unable to help but I managed. I see what she is wearing underneath and I have to adjust myself. She is so fucking sexy. She has on a sheer bustier, a barely-there thong, and alluring thigh-high stockings. Hopefully, I'll be able to experience these another time.

I remove the stockings, garter, and bustier so she is more comfortable and put one of my t-shirts on her. Then I cover her with the duvet. She is sound asleep and hasn't moved. In my closet, I take off my tux, put on a t-shirt and get in bed next to Anastasia. I turn off the light and hold Ana close to me.

Detective Gentry just left and Ana did an amazing job. She told him about everything that happened and held up well considering all she's gone through.

As it turns out Aaron was engaged to be married and found his bride-to-be cheating on him two weeks before the wedding. She left him for the other guy so somehow his mind twisted that he should be with Ana. But when he saw Ana and me together he went a little crazy, thinking Ana was his. The detective said there were pictures of Ana in his apartment, a log of her comings and goings, and an engagement ring he planned to give her. He had been in trouble before for stalking but because he was a minor when it happened it never appeared in his background.

When the detective is gone I go to Ana and engulf her in a hug. And to think not so long ago I wasn't able to have any contact with someone at all. "You did wonderful, Anastasia. You are so strong and brave."

"No I'm not Christian, but I am glad I have you."

I give her a quick kiss. "Why don't you pack an overnight bag? I want to take you somewhere."

"Where?"

"Ah ah, Miss Steele. Patience is a virtue."

She looks up at me with the mischievous look in her eyes. "It's a good thing I am no longer virtuous."

"You little minx. But, yes it is. Go pack. You need casual clothes and maybe some warm things and a nice dress for dinner. OK?"

"Yes." She gives me a big smile and hurries back to the bedroom to pack.