Chapter 37: Katie, pretty Katie

Christian was pacing his bedroom floor. He kept looking at the door to his ensuite bathroom. Ana was in there taking a bath.

They had arrived back to Escala a few hours ago. Kate and Eliott had been waiting for them. Ana and Kate had talked for hours, locking themselves in the bedroom as Christian and Elliott joined Taylor in the security room to review the surveillance footage that had caught Jose Rodriguez outside of Escala. It showed his fixated gaze on the penthouse and entrance to the building, his evil smile and dead eyes. Christian and Elliott were rattled by the looks of this man. It was unnerving.

Kate and Elliott left a few minutes ago. Ana excused herself to go take a bath. She needed some time alone. Christian had followed them out.

Christian stopped pacing and sat down on his bed. His head in his hands as he stifled a scream. Welch had lost Jose. The man had managed to sneak away. Christian felt lost. Hopeless. He wanted nothing more than to get rid of this devil so he and Ana could live peacefully. Not wanting to disturb her, but feeling the urge to sate his need to make sure she was fine he got up from the bed and walked over to the bathroom. Knocking lightly he opened the door and went in. His eyes met hers as she raised her head from the tub.

"Oh Christian" Ana sighed and shook her head. He walked over to her and squatted down to her level. She leaned back in the tub and lightly touched his jaw. With the tips of her fingers she stroked his stubble. Huffing sadly she said
"You were so afraid that your past would ruin us, but it seems mine is a hinder. I am so sorry. I am so sorry"
Her voice cracked as she whispered the last sentence, but before she could say anything else Christian cupped her face and leaned into her. He kissed her. His lips barely touching her. The softest and gentlest kiss they had ever shared. A kiss that conveyed his love better than any they had had to this moment. He pulled back, still holding her face in between his large hands and looked at her. Ana's eyes were still closed. A small smile splayed on her lips, albeit a sad one. She exhaled and opened her eyes. They were filled with tears. She smiled at him, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. They were still etched with pain. A pain Christian silently swore he would wipe away.

Ana lay in bed besides Christian. It was well past midnight and although she was dead tired she could not sleep. She was tossing and turning. Christian kept pulling her towards him in his sleep, trying to soothe her. Nothing helped. The fear was eating her alive. Where was Jose? Was he outside now? Was he in the room watching her? Her eyes widened and she jumped up in bed. Her heart beating fast. Christian woke up startled and pulled her to him. She was shaking. He turned on the bedside lamp and looked down at her as she fell back on the bed. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Ana"

He whispered. She didn't respond so he turned his whole body towards her and spoke again.

"Ana"

"I thought he was in the room"

"Oh baby. Please don't worry. He will not get to you. The security around us has increased massively. Baby I have several men watching outside of the building, by the entrance, on each floor, the staircase, the garage and the penthouse entrance as well as Taylor, Sawyer and Reynolds inside the penthouse. Please don't worry. I swore you would be safe with me and I intend to fullfill that promise"

Ana still didn't look at him. Her eyes were fixated on the roof. He sighed. He was losing her. With each passing minute of this torment she became more distant. Closing him off. He hated that. He layed down next to her and pulled her to him. She nuzzled into his chest and he wrapped his arms protectively around her.

"Sleep baby"

Ana closed her eyes and soon her tired body and mind won the battle against the fear as she drifted off into a restless sleep.

They woke up from the neverending ringing of Christians phone on the nightstand. He reached over and answered without looking at the phone

"Grey"

Ana shifted in bed and looked at the alarm clock on her night stand, it was fairly early. Christian eyes were still shut as if he hoped that by keeping them closed he could continue sleeping after the conversation was done. Suddenly his eyes flew open and he jumped out of bed. Muttering profanities. He was pacing the floor. Ocasionally stopping to grab a fistful of hair with his left hand and tug. His right hand was gripping his phone so hard his knuckles were white. Ana knew better then to interrupt. Something was wrong. She could hear the other person screaming, but she couldn't make out the words. It was a man on the line, she thought. She couldn't be sure. She had no idea whether it was about Jose or work related. Christian ended his conversation and immediately dialed another number.

"Welch! Hold on a second"

He stepped closer to Ana, who was now sitting at the edge of the bed. He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

"I will be right back baby"

He walked out of the room. Once outside Ana could hear him barking into the phone. In seconds she heard several voices outside of the bedroom door. Probably Taylor and Sawyer. This was definetly about Jose. Several minutes later Christian entered the bedroom. His face pale, his eyes showing pure horror as he said

"Jose has Kate"

"You're not what I wanted, but I can get to Ana by having you. Besides you're pretty. Katie, pretty Katie"

Jose whispered as he stroked Kate's cheek. He was definetly getting Ana this time.

"Jose"

A man called out to him from the dark corner of the room. Jose turned around

"Yes master"