Wounds to Bind

by Mother of Pearl Fetish

After being punished in the Red Room of Pain, Ana realizes she needs to deal with her issues; and Christian needs to deal with his. Before they reconcile, real life sidetracks them. I do not own FSOG. Pinterest updated: /jtspraggins/wounds-to-bind-fsog-fanfiction/

35. Chapter 35

Wounds to Bind Chapter 35 – someone's getting coal in their stocking

December 25 - APOV

Christmas morning started with breakfast made by Dad and Laura. Dad built a fire in the fireplace and after everyone was stuffed with French toast, bacon, juices and coffee or tea, we opened presents. I love my Dad's tree. It's an artificial one, but it looks like the real thing. I love the white lights and the wooden ornaments. Some are vintage from his grandparents and parents. Some are vintage ornaments he found at various antique stores in Washington and Oregon. Some are ones he handcrafted. All the ornaments have red satin ribbons to hold them on the tree. The tree skirt was made by his Grandmother Steele. It is patchwork of red, white and green squares. It has a bisque angel tree topper Dad's grandfather brought home from Germany while he was stationed there.

The gift exchange was so much easier than I thought. I owe Mary a thank-you note and present. I made an 8x10 picture frame in Dad's shop for Laura. He was pleased I wanted to make something for her. She was appreciative I didn't use his existing stash of picture frames, but handcrafted one out of walnut wood scraps for her. I gave her a gift certificate to a national pet store chain. She gave me a pair of black leather low-heel dress boots I can wear to work.

Dad helped Laura purchase the second set of Pomskys she needs for her future business. Laura is moving in with Dad once they get kennels and running yards built for the dogs at his house; which might be spring. It's less than thirty minutes from Montesano to the Grays Harbor Community College.

I bought Dad two chambray shirts and a gift certificate to Home Depot. I sent Mom two nice bottles of Sancerre. Mom sent me a dressy gold watch I can wear to special events. It's spectacular with a mother-of-pearl dial and a diamond chip accent. It's very pretty and her card included a great quote about spending more time with one another.

Shawn and Harley gave me a new pair of red Converse sneakers and white leather ballerina flats. The flats go great with the white sweater and leggings I'm wearing today. I sent Harley and Shawn two nice bottles of Sancerre. Now I need to search for a red purse and a red boyfriend jacket for casual weekend wear.

Dad gave me a receipt and a laser cut wood Christmas ornament. It is a rose made out of cedar wood with a red satin cord hanger. "I love it and I'm going to hang it in my coat closet at the condo." He paid my January, February and March student loan payments. I love him; and I hug him and tell him so.

"When the smell seems to go away," Dad said, "take a piece of fine sand paper and sand the back of it lightly."

José gave me four 12x18 photographs of Lake Sylvia for my office wall. It looks like he cut a photograph in quarters. Hung two across and two down, the overall effect is like looking out a paned window at Lake Sylvia. I can't wait to hang them in my office. I tell him my plans and suggest he give me some business cards because others may want to buy some of his work. I gave him the silk tie and pocket square to wear for graduation. We hug when we exchange presents and it's not uncomfortable.

José Senior gave me an six-inch long oval white wicker basket filled with almonds harvested from his family's trees in California. I gave him a card with a picture of a baked lasagna, letting him know it was in the freezer; ready to take and bake when he and José go home. I got double hugs from the Rodriguez men. Mary is so right; everyone loves consumable gifts.

"Let me show you the vets gift to us," Laura laughed, pointing at a new piece of furniture in the living room. "Mobile laundry station." She spun it around to show three laundry baskets which fit into slots. Each of them was filled with cloth diapers to fold for the workshop. "The vets made one for the workshop which holds two baskets of folded diapers. The top has a space for a basket of dirty ones to bring in and wash. I've taught Ray to bring the full basket in with him at the end of the day. He puts a load of laundry in the washer before he goes to the workshop, puts it in the dryer at lunch, and folds when he's watching sports."

I love Christmas with my Dad, and now I love it because of Laura. She makes him so happy. The lights on the house are simple and clean. The three wood angels in the front yard have a new coat of paint on them this year: white robes, and gold halos. Dad and his three vet friends finished the Christmas projects in the shop by the fifteenth. They spent last weekend delivering to customers and cleaning storage sheds and the workshop. Laura spoiled the vets with packages of homemade Christmas treats. She tells the Rodriguez men there are two covered containers in the refrigerator for them which hold homemade Christmas treats.

I shared my normal Standing Rib Roast Christmas Dinner menu (roast, mashed Yukon gold potatoes, whole green beans, Caesar salad and cherry pie) with Laura. Dad said as long as we served Roast Beast (roast beef); he didn't care what we served with it. We changed the menu to include roasted fingerling potatoes tossed with garlic and olive oil; a salad of spinach, baby kale, tangerines, avocado and baby red onion rings with a lemon vinaigrette; whole green beans; roasted Portobello mushroom slices and a trifle made with white chocolate pound cake, white chocolate pudding and raspberries. I won't think about Christian and his food issues…I won't think about the meals we ate together when we were hungry for more than food…I won't think about our pancake breakfast after soaring…

I loved working in the kitchen with Laura. She's fun and laughs; not dreading being hands on with pots and pans or stressing out whether people will like her cooking. Laura brought two bottles of Pinot Noir to share. Its deep red color looked lovely on our dining room table; matching a low centerpiece of red roses for the table which José Senior brought Laura.

"Yum," Dad said, eating Laura and my Christmas feast. His sentiments are echoed by José and José Senior. We stuffed ourselves silly and then played poker for hours, laughing and talking. José graduates this year and everyone wants to go away for Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate. The guys all have differing ideas of the best places to camp in Washington. I think what Dad loves Laura being an outdoors girl. She loves hunting, fishing and camping as much as he does. She said when Dad goes to Palmer Lake to ice fish to let her know. She wants to scout snowmobiling routes. The guys are excited because she owns a toy hauler and two snowmobiles.

Laura had a list of a half dozen Inuit names. "I can't decide," she said. "Please help me name the new puppies." She passed the list across to me to share with the guys. Dad votes for seeing the dogs before naming them. We all agree that is the best idea.

XX

Before the end of the night, José and I do the dishes and clean the kitchen. The 'adults' are in the living room, chatting. José and I agree; Laura is great and she's good for Dad. José talks about last semester. Because his art exhibit sold out and paid the living expenses for his last year in college; he didn't have to get a part-time job. He was able to take 18 credits and managed Dean's List status. He's looking forward to next semester and graduation.

He and Elliot have been in contact. Elliot offered him a green engineer internship for a year, July 1 to June 30, after he graduates. He's accepted. I'm happy for him. I tell him at least he won't have to worry about Elliot chasing him around a desk, trying to get in his pants. His nose wrinkles in disgust. He asks if there's a chance we will see one another after he gets to Seattle.

I tell him I always have time for my friends. It's not an easy conversation but he understands I'm not dating anyone until I'm over Christian. He points out it's been over six months since Christian and I parted ways. I point out the heart wants what the heart wants…and my heart is a stubborn bitch who won't listen to reason.

To deflect his continued, ill-advised, counseling - I tell him we should Skype Kate, and we do. Elliot gave her new ski clothes in her present under the tree. He gave her a tennis bracelet for Christmas in her stocking. She's disappointed. It wasn't the diamond she wanted. She tells me it was a great Christmas with Elliot's family. Elliot and Mia come on at the end of the conversation and yell "Merry Christmas" to me and to José. Ethan and Elliot thank me for their mufflers. Elliot says Christian is on a personal call with Ros and Gwen, so he's not available to Skype with us. José is relieved… and I guess part of me is relieved also.

I Skyped Mom and we had a sweet, but short conversation with one another. She and Bob entertained five couples for dinner. The Sancerre was a hit. I thanked her for the watch and promised if we didn't spend face to face time together in 2012; I would call, email and Skype as much as I could. Bob came on at the end and they wished me wonderful holidays.

I took two Advil before bed. My cycle is starting and I'm a little achy. I hate having my cycle around holidays. The DP shot makes them lighter and shorter and not too painful. However, I've notice when I'm emotional, it's a rough start.

After a steaming hot shower thanks to the new tank-less hot water heater Dad installed, I put on soft blue flannel pajamas and braided my hair for bed. I fell asleep, happy because Laura made Dad's holiday so wonderful. I'm excited she is moving in with him and they will start a Pomsky breeding business together. Well…as Laura explains, it's technically not breeding because Pomskys are hybrid dogs – two breeds – Husky and Pomeranian. All Laura cares about, and Dad too, are that there will be little Pomsky fur babies in their future.

Tomorrow I promised Dad to deep clean my room. The spare bedroom/guest room will become a sewing/crafting/home office for Laura. I don't object to them using my room for guests; but there are things to clear out to make it less Ana and more generic for guests. Dad's donating the furniture from my room to the VFW rummage sale over the Fourth of July. He's moving the oak furniture from the guest room to mine. He promises to put a locking oak armoire in the room to hold my things and a five drawer oak chest of drawers for guests.

XX

He covered my body with his…his weight pinning me down so I can't move…I don't want to move. I want to be here, being loved and cherished. His mouth captures mine, kissing deeply over and over again. He spread my legs... God, how did he get my clothes off so fast? I moaned as he slipped a couple fingers in me, expertly stroking my G spot. He stroked me faster with his fingers, and I can't help it, I need to climax. I grind against his fingers, feasting on his mouth. His strokes are strong, maintaining an even steady pace as my heart races and my blood roars in my ears. He continued his oral assault on my lips. My legs began twitching and I moaned as my thighs squeezed out an orgasm. A second surge rolled through me.

"Look at me when you come," Christian ordered me. I gazed up at him, but suddenly he wasn't pinning me down, he was behind me, I was on my knees on the floor, my torso rested on the bed, and he was in me, hard and deep and fast, over and over until I came again… gasping and trying to get my heartbeat under control…

…and then I realized…it was Christmas and I was at Dad's house, in my old room, in my old bed…all alone. I covered my face with my comforter and sobbed into my pillow. Damn him…why doesn't he want me to love him? I'm angry with myself because I want that alpha male. Despite his flaws; despite his singular interests… other men pale in comparison. I made it through most of the day trying not to think about him…and then he appears in my dreams. Damn my inner goddess who is a sadistic bitch sometimes. Her slutty attitudes cause me a lot of pain sometimes.

XX - CPOV

I heard Ana and the damned photographer yelling Merry Christmas to Kate, Elliot and Mia while I was on the phone with Ros and Gwen; wishing them Merry Christmas. Ana, all soft and warm in her bed, has been in my head all day. I thought the cognac would keep me asleep, without dreams, but I was wrong.

She came to my bed, discarding her white satin and lace teddy. She slipped her naked body between my sheets. "I know what you need to make you sleep," Anastasia said. "…all you have to do is ask." A breathy moan left her, causing my cock to swell.

"I always sleep better when you are here…" I said. "I feel so safe and loved in your arms." My eyes ate her alive, reveling in the sight of her alabaster skin; just-fucked braided hair; her rosy pouty lips begging to be kissed. I kissed her, nibbling on that lip. My chest tightened… frightened she would leave me and find someone else. "Don't leave me," I begged.

"I am yours, only yours," Anastasia said; pulling the sheet away from her naked body. Her nipples were hard and erect; begging for my mouth, my hand. One of my hands caressed a breast; the other hand moved to her wantonly spread thighs. "I've wanted you for so long; I can't wait baby. I pushed her flat on the bed, covering her body with mine. I reveled when she wrapped her arms and legs around me. I buried my face in her neck, trying to control myself…but her soft skin, her scent aroused me even more. I nibbled from her earlobe to her collarbone to a breast.

She tilted her hips, pressing her hot wet heat against me. With a groan, I positioned myself against her. As always, she was wet and ready for me. I slowly sunk into her velvet heat, pushing into her. Her arms wrapped under arms and held me, her hands caressing my shoulder blades. Her long luscious legs tightened around me, holding me in place. I felt her silky walls ripple with desire, urging me to move faster, harder, deeper into her. The thought of her silky petite body belonging to me, and me alone, make my cock harden further.

"Look at me baby," I growled. Her clear blue eyes gaze up at me, her passion obvious in her eyes, on her face. I tasted her lips again, over and over while plunging into her. We were panting when our lips parted. I picked up the pace, sheathing myself in her over and over; pounding hard. "I told you, I fuck hard…" I moaned against her neck.

Anastasia cried out in delight, arching against me, her hips tilting up to grind against me, taking me deeper into her.

"Oh, fuck!" I groaned, feeling her muscles rippling around me, her orgasm catching me, holding me tight, clenching around me. I felt lightening begin at the base of my neck and race down my spine. I lost control and thrust a few more times before the lightening rushed out of me. My energy evaporated and I collapsed on top of her; pinning her to the mattress. I could not move; laying heavily on her until my breathing slowed and my heartbeat became regular. "I've never felt this way with anyone else, Anastasia. I love you." When I rolled off her…

I woke…and I froze in place. "NO!" My mind and heart cried out, and my body shook with terrible, aching loneliness. I understood what Anastasia meant when she said I always go away. I drag myself into a hot shower and weep hot tears.

My new year's resolution will be to start TTT again, and no matter what…I'm going to finish it. I want Anastasia in my heart, my life, my bed. In order to do that, I was ready and willing to make changes in my life. Granted, the acquisition of twelve new companies this year kept me busy…but I'm so fucking lonely I can't stand it.

Mom wants to go cyber dark starting tomorrow. Once Elliot and Kate are on the plane to Seattle, Mom wants to turn off the TV, radio, phones, papers, etc. and just have a week with Mia and me. Skiing, snowmobiling, cooking together, eating together…she wants just the four of us to have quality family time. I need it also to decompress.

December 29 - APOV

Elliot burst into the condo; dumping his boots and jacket near the door. "You have to turn on the news!" Taylor followed him.

"Which channel?" Kate asked, turning off the stereo and turning on the TV.

"KING5 or KOMO, both are running the story!" Elliot grabs a beer from the refrigerator. "You…." he said, pointing at me, "turn off dinner and get out here."

I felt like I was about to receive a lecture from Raymond Steele, ex-Master Sergeant and father. I turned off the soup and took the sandwiches out of the oven. I took a deep breath and composed myself. I know what's happening. Harley said arrests would happen before the end of the year. I've been trying to maintain calm. I take a seat on the couch. I might as well be comfortable while Elliot vents.

The news report on KING5 announces the arrests of Elena Lincoln and John Hyde, both of Seattle, by the Economic Crimes Unit of the Washington Attorney General's Office. The announcer explains they have been arrested on charges of insider trading. They purchased Seattle Independent Publishing stock just before the merger with Grey Enterprises Holdings. Footage of Elena, arrested at Esclava Salon at Bravern Center and led away in cuffs, comprises most of the news report. John Hyde was arrested outside his home. He is off work all week and was obviously coming home from somewhere. The news coverage shows him being driven away in a police vehicle. The news report concluded with the investigation is ongoing announcement.

"Holy shit!" Kate's shocked face met mine. "Did you know about this?" She muted the TV.

"Did you do this to Christian?" Elliot yelled at me; he's obviously pissed. "Do you hate him that god-damn much?"

I stared at him, dumfounded.

Kate interjected, "Look I don't care for Christian…."

"Zip it, Kate!" I gave her a heart stopping glare…I hope I learned how to do it right from Christian. "Elliot Trevelyan Grey…STFU! I don't want your personal security raiding us because they hear raised voices." I went in search of my Bible. I haven't used it since Christian's crash…God forgive me…but I was using it now.

"Swear, on this Holy Bible, that what I say to you in the next few minutes never leaves this condo. Kate you cannot repeat anything to your parents, your grandparents, the newspaper, any media, your hairdresser, Grace, Mia, Grandma Frannie…did I cover all the bases? Elliot, you and Mia are incapable of keeping a secret while Christian is tight-lipped enough for the three of you. Taylor – you swear no one tells Christian or Grace what is going on until they return from Aspen. I don't want either of them cutting their vacation short and coming to Elena's rescue. It has to be a media blackout - ordered by you and Welch, covering all staff at Grey House and staff at Aspen. Swear!" I held out the Bible. I think I must have scared the three of them. They could not swear fast enough.

"I'm only going to say this once, and I don't intend to repeat myself. Elliot…I did not put up with my Mother's third husband yelling at me. I did not put up with Christian yelling at me. Sheesh! Elliot…unless the condo is on fire or my life is in eminent danger…do not yell at me. If you do; I'm going to put my knee in the boys. Then we'll see if you are able to yell at me. Do you understand?'

He nodded, but it was obvious he just wanted me to explain; not threaten him.

"Good. I will tell you everything I can. There are going to be questions I can't answer because either I don't know or you don't need to know." I said.

Taylor gestures at me to keep talking. I sat down instead.

"Did I do this to your brother, Elliot? NO. I did it for him. No matter how things ended between us; I will not idly stand by and let anyone, let alone asshole Jack Hyde or bitch Elena Lincoln, ruin his reputation or endanger his company." I snap.

"Did I do this to her? HELL YES, I did this to that mangy cur cougar, Elena Lincoln. I did it because she would not keep her fucking hands off Christian. Yes, I'm the reason she's facing a possible sentence of 10 years in prison for her SEC crimes. I can't calculate the number of years she may receive in prison when the Sex Crimes Unit of the SPD find out that bitch has been a madam for at least a decade." I try to keep the smugness out of my voice.

"And hell yes…I did this to Jack Hyde also. Why? Because he's vile …and eye-fucked me every possible chance he had. Because I wouldn't sleep with the bastard; he tried to make my work life a misery." I paused, caught my breath and began again. "I did this to him because he hates Christian…I don't know why."

"Did he ever threaten Christian?" Taylor asked.

"Ever since I began working for Jack Hyde, he's interrogated me about Christian or Grey House. Ethan and I discussed why Jack would do that. Ethan suggested it might be because Hyde used information to purchase stocks in companies before they experienced a change in their company finances. We deliberately fed Hyde four pieces of information which could have been overheard at Coping Together. Once he used the information to buy stocks or to notify his broker to sell stocks; Ethan went to his friend, Harley Harrison. Harley is an investigator for the Securities Exchange Commission."

"Wait," Kate said. "I thought he was a stockbroker?"

"That's his cover; it made Jack anxious to become his friend. Jack hacked my work emails to see if Harley told me information he could use to buy stock. Just after the SIP/GP merger, Jack said he ould support and help me if I needed to rid my life of Christian. I would not let him ruin Christian. He is a good man…"

I was interrupted by a snort from Kate.

"YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM…I will not tolerate you bashing Christian ever again. Never again…I suspect Elliot would appreciate you not harping about his brother." Someday I'm going to look back on this conversation and realize that's when my inner Domme reared her ugly head. The surprise on all their faces tells me that Domme Ana needs to come out to play every now and then.

"Back to the story," Elliot ordered. "I want to know how Elena figures into this."

"She overheard what was supposed to be a private conversation between Sawyer and me at Coping Together. She called me out on it…which was stupid on her part… considering she tried to recruit me to work for her."

"Work for her?" Elliot gasped.

Taylor nodded. Obviously Sawyer told him about the conversation.

"Yes, as a working girl. I don't want to relive that conversation. It would lose too much in the reruns. Anyhow, I thought if she overheard the conversation and knew how to turn it to her advantage …what was stopping her from using information she overheard about Christian's business at lunches, teas, dinners, committee meetings or when Grace, Frannie or Mia used her Bravern Center Salon?"

I paused to let that question sink in. I can see Kate and Elliot are pondering it. I can't tell what Taylor is thinking. "She took the information she overheard and used it to purchase stocks illegally. That's part of the investigation; did Elena use the money she made illegally from stock purchases for salon expansion, or to buy her house, or to hide it in an offshore account?"

"I vote offshore accounts. Christian was a partner in the salons; she couldn't put the money there because his financial people might find it." Elliot said. "I don't think she funneled a penny into the businesses because he paid off the debts in September before gifting the salons to her."

"God, I never considered that. I'll have to tell Harley. I've been seeing Harley for six months, not as a girlfriend, but as a confidential informant," I said. "Once I realized what Jack and Elena might be doing…I had to protect Christian …and part of that was staying away from him."

"Why?" Elliot asked. "Did you think he was doing something illegal?"

"NO…I knew he was innocent. However, Christian would never have let me be friends with Harley, let alone have dinner with him, go to his house, or have a private meeting with him. Christian would have ordered a close protection detail for me who would report back where I was going, what I was doing, who I was seeing, the gist of our conversations, etc. I couldn't take the chance of him finding out what I was doing. He would have started checking into Elena and Jack; affecting Harley's investigation." I looked at Taylor. "I'm right, aren't I?"

Taylor nodded. "We protect those he loves." He looked meaningfully at me.

"Did Christian have a clue about this situation?" Kate asked. "Is that why he gave Elena, Elliot and Mia stocks?"

"I don't know." I said.

Taylor took up the story. "He discussed the situation with Welch and me. He wanted Elena Lincoln out of his life. He brainstormed various scenarios with us. Giving her the stock he owned in Esclava was his way of eliminating her from his professional life faster than any other option. Yes, it cost money to pay off the debts; but once he gifted her the stocks – it opened the door to eliminating her from his personal life. Giving stocks to Elliot and Mia was his vote of confidence in them; not washing his hands of them like Elena. He told Elliot and Mia he will help offset any tax issues with his gift to them. He told her she was on her own. He recommended she consult her own tax professionals. His press release said he was getting rid of personal stock, which he did."

"By the way – I'm not here to keep an eye on you," Taylor informed me. "I came to warn Elliot not to tell his brother what is going on."

"You never said a word…" Kate admonished me.

"Neither did Ethan. You and Elliot were in Barbados when this started. Harley forbade you knowing because you might tell your dad or the media. Elliot might let it slip to Christian or his parents. The long story and the short fuse is Jack and Elena were arrested, it's public knowledge. Once they are arraigned, they can return home. Once they return home…we could be in freefall until the SEC gets them to court…which could be another six months."

"You never said a word," Kate repeated, shaking her head.

"I couldn't. I've been waiting for the investigation to finish and for Hyde and Lincoln to be arrested. It's been over six months since Christian and I split and since both Hyde and Lincoln started fucking with me," I shrugged. "Revenge is a dish best served cold…the minestrone soup's hot, and the oven toasted Italian ham and Asiago cheese hoagies are ready. I feel like a nice bottle of white wine to celebrate the arrests."

"You little minx!" Katherine said, admiration in her voice.

"Is this why you won't have anything to do with Christian?" Elliot asked.

"It didn't start that way, but staying away from Christian allowed Harley and the SEC time to investigate without anyone learning what was going on. Besides; Christian's got issues and I've got issues…and they don't play well together." I shrugged. "I don't like people telling me how to live my life. He has control issues."

"What does that mean in the long run?" Elliot asked.

I shrugged. "Hyde and Lincoln can make bail and make our lives hell. Then there's trials and the media," I turned away. "Come on, I'm starving."

"You watch the news," Kate said. "It will be our pleasure to be your humble minions tonight Miss Steele."

"If you are truly my minions…get me a copy of Elena Lincoln's arrest…not what was cut and shown on TV…but the whole thing from start to finish." The sight of Elena in handcuffs and not enjoying herself really made my day! I turned up the TV to hear her feeble protests as they arrested her.

"I can do that," Taylor said. "I wouldn't mind seeing that myself."

"Remember to keep everyone at Grey House quiet about this," I warned Taylor who nodded solemnly. "It's really important he isn't around. I don't want her trying to use him to get out of this mess." I asked.

We ate dinner, watching the news. Once Barney delivered a flash drive to Taylor; he sat with us for thirty minutes watching it over and over. We ran out of wine continually toasting her arrest.

"I have to run," Taylor said, looking at his phone. "I've got some personal errands." He thanked me for a wonderful dinner and left.

XX – Taylor POV

"Taylor, I know you took the week off to spend time with your daughter, but I need help." Dr. Flynn revealed where Leila had been staying. Her rent was up the first week of January. Flynn asked me to clear out the motel room. He had no clue if there was anything there which might compromise the boss. He asked me to empty her mail box also. He wants to see the computer files Leila had. He had keys for the motel and the mail box which he was willing to give me.

"I gather this is something Mr. Grey does not need to know about until he returns from Aspen?" I asked.

Flynn concurred.

I explained I could take care of the Leila situation first thing tomorrow morning, but right now I needed to handle another situation…

XX

Oh holy Christ…if I thought his playroom was over the top…I didn't count on her dungeon. There's more kink and leather here than any person should be exposed to in a long lifetime. Art work, if you can call it that, is poster-sized black and white pictures of a very blonde young woman in various poses, restraints, furniture and "toys." My skin crawls the way it did just before an explosion while I was on my last tour of duty.

"STOP RIGHT THERE," a voice booms at me.

I freeze in my tracks and am shocked to see Grey's doppelganger. I observe his lean, tall physique, the not quite copper hair and light green eyes. What the fuck is it with these people? The sheer number of doppelgangers in this situation spins my head.

"Who the fuck are you?" He asked.

"Taylor, I work for Grey," I said quietly. This asshole has a damn gun pointed at me. There's too much room between us. I don't dare try to disarm him.

"Thanks for the scare," he snarled. "I thought you were SPD." He put the gun down on a cluttered table inside the dungeon door. "I heard a noise and hid in the viewing room."

"Why would you think I was SPD?" I asked. "Who are you?"

"Elena was arrested today. I thought they heard she was a madam/Dominatrix and were here to raid the place." He said. "I'm Isaac – the soon to be ex-submissive of Mistress Elena," he admitted.

"Why are you cleaning out the dungeon?" I asked. "Why not just let her be arrested for being a madam?"

He walked over to a media box and flipped the lid open, pulling out a picture, handing it to me. I let out a loudly voiced profanity… several of them. "She's got a type doesn't she?" I asked. I'm never going to get that image of the boss out of my head. FUCK.

"Let's just say, I didn't fight her about dyeing my hair or the contacts. I didn't argue about the continuous liposuction for six months that skimmed off fat pockets and left me as lean as Grey. I didn't argue with the personal trainer who put me through my paces for two hours a day for a year to make me into a hard body like Grey. I didn't argue about the designer clothes."

"I didn't argue about being monogamous to her. She always sent me off for classes when she wanted to fuck some testosterone teenager. I took dance lessons, masseuse lessons, sailing lessons, gourmet cooking classes, art appreciation and music appreciation. I learned to walk, talk and dress. I learned to order wine and make a mean martini. She sent me to the best beauty academy in Seattle; I have my cosmetology license. She sent me to business school to get my business degree." His voice was as dark and bitter as two-day old coffee.

He snatched the picture out of my hands and threw it back in the media box and taped it closed. He shoved it inside a large duffel. "I need you to take this duffel out of here. The DVDs need shredded, the media box needs incinerated. Her laptop and the hard drive from the security server are inside. I found two flash drives and one stand-alone hard drive. I put them in the duffel also. Have a tech destroy them – acid, fire, or blunt force trauma… whatever it takes! When Grey returns; you can tell him you destroyed her evidence. She has no physical proof he was ever involved with her." Isaac explained.

"I'm not helping you protect that Botox bitch!" I growled at Isaac. What was with these fucking people? Well, what was with these damn people?

"I'm not doing this to protect her," Isaac said. "I'm done with her. I should have been done with her when I was 21 like Grey, but I was stupid and thought she loved me. I'm doing this to protect the underage boys she's preyed upon. Ninety percent of them left her when they graduated from high school. They moved away and moved on with their lives. They just think they got lucky with a hot kinky older blonde who taught them how to fuck for hours. Ten percent, which includes Grey and me, had that bitch change our lives forever."

"So who are you not protecting?" Taylor asked.

"Anyone of legal age who is connected to her side business; 200 current long-term clients, 25 current working girls. None of them are connected to Grey in any way. The client/ensemble information is in that padded, sealed, addressed envelope beside the media box." Isaac pointed. "When I get to where I'm going, I'm mailing the padded envelope to the SPD. Besides the pictures and info about her clients and girls…it contains a list of every place she has money stashed – I'm sure the IRS will enjoy that."

"Let's get this done," I said. "I want out of here before she flies back on her broom and summons the flying monkeys."

"She's supposed to be arraigned at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning at the King County Courthouse. She called to tell me to bring money and bail her out. The combination to her safe is Grey's birthday by the way. How obsessed is that? I took her available cash in the safe and the house to pay for my relocation. I consider the half a million she had in the house as my severance package. Someone else will have to front bail for her. Make sure it is not your boss. I called Dominick and Louis from Locke and Keyes. They'll be here in the next half hour with a large U-Haul moving truck. We're stripping the dungeon bare. We have to be done and out of here by four in the morning. The housekeeper arrives at six. Once the dungeon is cleared…I'm walking out of here with a clear conscience. I'm not coming back either. I'm looking forward to letting my hair grow back in brown and never wearing grey contacts again."

"Is there a reason you picked Locke and Keyes?" I asked.

"Elena hates Sabine because of him. Sabine hates Elena because of him. Elena's dungeon will be demolished by Dominick and Louis who are protecting him, me and teenage boys in Seattle. It's an Olympic medal win as far as I'm concerned." Isaac explained.

"I need all of you to sign NDAs," I insisted. "No one can know I was here or what we did. Dominick and Louis have to sell everything out of state."

"Dominick is taking the contents of the dungeon to a friend who works at the Velvet Rope in Portland. His friend is purchasing everything for a flat fee from Dominick and Louis. They keep the funds for their help in clearing the place. The friend is transporting the items to a new BDSM club in LA called Crimson Ties." Isaac said. "After we empty the dungeon; I need help to load my rental car. I sold the car she gave me. My cousin rented a car for me. He's waiting for me at a hotel in Spokane."

"What do you want me to do first?" I asked.

"Get the duffel out of here. Come back with the NDAs you need signed, and wear work clothes. I'll start moving toy boxes up to the garage to be loaded on the truck. When Dominick and Louis get here; we'll take furniture apart and load the truck."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but just how many people could fit in this place at one time?" I observed the 80-foot long and 30-feet wide room which was previously a finished basement.

"Two dozen participating, a dozen watching," Grey's doppelganger said.

I shuddered from the thought.

December 30, 2011

******** Seattle Times ********

SEC Charges Seattle Businesswoman and Businessman with Insider Trading in Advance of Merger Announcements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington D.C., December 29, 2011

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Seattle business woman with insider trading. Elena (Magdalena Lorenzo) Lincoln was charged with ten counts of insider trading. One of the counts is for purchasing Seattle Independent Publishers stock in advance of the 2011 announcement of a merger of SIP with Grey Enterprises Holdings. SIP would become Grey Publishing.

The SEC said the case against Elena Lincoln was investigated back to 2006. Lincoln overheard proprietary information in the Carrick Grey household while attending dinners, events or charity committee meetings. She used that information to purchase stocks in various Grey Enterprises Holdings mergers and acquisitions from 2006 to September 2011. The SEC has proof that Lincoln realized a profit of almost $6 million dollars through illegal stock purchases in the last six years. Her stockbroker. Michael McGuire, partner in Dalton McGuire Securities, acted on requests from Lincoln to buy certain stocks, and realized a profit of $3 million in the six-year period.

The SEC's investigation has been conducted by the SEC Regional Office in California; supervised by the Office of the Inspector General. Litigators will be assigned from the SEC Regional Office in California with the assistance of the Washington Attorney General's Office. The IRS has expressed interest in the case because Lincoln has not claimed stock losses and gains on her income tax in over a decade.

###

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Seattle businessman with insider trading. John Thomas Hyde was charged with ten counts of insider trading. One of the counts is for Seattle Independent Publishers stock in advance of the 2011 announcement of a merger of SIP with Grey Enterprises Holdings. Additionally, one of the charges stem from the profits realized when Hyde purchased stock in the Seattle Securities Insurance company which SIP employees would use once the merger took place.

According to the SEC's complaint, John Thomas Hyde illegally traded on news which sent SIP stock price up 60 percent when the merger of SIP with GEH was announced. Hyde, an editor at SIP, learned the merger was eminent from hacking the email of Maxwell Roach, President of SIP. Hyde, acting on the information, purchased SIP stock. He told his stockbroker B.T. Kress of Seven Securities of the merger. Kress purchased additional SIP stock for his company. Once the merger was announced, Hyde and Kress sold the shares they purchased; each realizing approximately $200,000 in illegal profits. Hyde's purchase of stock in Seattle Securities Insurance company prior to the inclusion of SIP employees under the Grey House umbrella, netted Hyde and Kress almost $300,000 in illegal profits.

In a parallel action, the Washington Attorney General's Office announced additional criminal charges were filed against Hyde. "Invasion of privacy; cybercrimes; etc.," said WAG, Tobin Campano. He announced the IRS would investigate Hyde also.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by the SEC Regional Office in California; supervised by the Office of the Inspector General. Litigators will be assigned from the SEC Regional Office in California with the assistance of the Washington Attorney General's Office.

******** Seattle Times ********

XX - APOV

Harley came to GP and insisted on taking me to lunch in the Grey Annex cafeteria. "I have something for you to read while I get us lunch." He hands me a copy of the Seattle Times which carried an SEC press release.

I started reading…and smiled. Most of the GP staff is on vacation this week. Emily, Amber, Claire and I are working. The IT crew is working. They ask me if I know what's going on. I tell them I can't discuss it. No one comes in to gossip about Jack. Grey Annex Security requested Claire forward phone calls regarding Jack Hyde to Communications/PR at Grey House. Jack and Elena made bail late this morning according to a Google alert.

"What?" Harley asked.

"John Thomas," I giggled again

"John Thomas Hyde," Harley nodded. "What about him?"

"John Thomas is an urban dictionary nickname for penis," I giggled again. "It's British."

Harley laughed aloud with me that time. We had a wonderful lunch, gossiping like girls. When he walked me back to my desk; he asked me to go home to Montesano this weekend; just to be safe. He's sure neither Hyde nor Lincoln knows Ethan and I've been helping; but he wants me to be aware and be safe.

XX – 3PPOV

Jake Striker read the Seattle Times article about Elena Lincoln and Jack Hyde. He laughed until his sides hurt. He suspected Anastasia Steele had a hand in their arrest. He didn't have answers to his questions…but he interpreted this news article as a sign from God. He opened his locking file cabinet and shredded everything which mentioned Anastasia Steele, Jack Hyde, Christian Grey and the mysterious brunettes surrounding the Esclava Salons. He shredded the information on Sabine Falco Keyes. He felt continued investigation might cause irreparable damage to Miss Steele. He sent up a prayer she would be safe and happy and have a good life. This was a puzzle he did not need to resolve.