Hi all. I am SO sorry it has taken so long to update. I know I said that Ch 50 was it but I am pleased to inform you that there will be at least two more chapters before the sequel. This story has been a wild ride for me. I wrote and rewrote this chapter twice because I needed it to be perfect so the first part of the story can not only come to an end but pave the way for the sequel. Ending the story like this ALWAYS my intention. I know some of you feel duped because this is labeled as an Ana and Christian story. It is an Ana and Christian story but now it is becoming and Ana and Gideon story which is why I need to start a fresh sequel instead of continue this story.

As I always state, life is not always the happily ever after ending we all wish it to be and if that is what you expect from me you should know by now that is not my style. I will assure you that no more main characters will die. This I promise you. So without further a due, here is chapter 50.

Chapter 50

Surrounded by Hello Kitty and princess shit I lay in the middle of the once guest room, now Charlies' room, contemplating my life and how by this time next week it will never be the same again. Sitting in what was once Eva's room in my New York penthouse I find myself thinking that in four days I will be married to a woman who is not her, it is hard to wrap my head around. When Eva agreed to be my wife it was as if a piece of my soul was handed back to me. When she was taken from me my life had no meaning. There was no reason to get up, to breathe, to live. I find myself thinking of my father a lot. Thinking about what it must have been like for him and how hard he must have struggled with his decision to kill himself and leave my mother and me behind. How would my life have been different? Would we have worked side by side? Would he have been proud of the man I would have been? Is he proud of the man I am now? Would I have met Eva? Would things have gone differently for us? Would she be alive today if I had never met her?

What I had with Eva wasn't love. It was more than that. It was a word that hasn't been created yet. A feeling that no one on the planet has felt. It was a need, a missing piece. When Eva told me she loved me I couldn't say it back because what I felt was nothing like love. It was so much more and truth be told she was right from the start that the desperation and the animatistic need we had for each other was not healthy for either one of us. Maybe that is why when she left me for Brett I let her go. I fought a little but it was nothing like the way I fought for Ana.

I turn my head and see a picture of Ana and Charlie, that I took at Central Park when we were here in the winter, and I smile. Not the forced smile that I use when I am being polite or the smile I use for business, but a full face splitting smile. All the roads to my life have brought me here to Ana and Charlie. Everything I have done and anything that was done to me threw her into my elevator that day. When I saw her trying to make herself small in the corner of the elevator like a scared puppy I just wanted to hold her and never let her go. Looking back at all the shit we managed to get through just to be together makes me hope that it will be smooth sailing from here on out. I can't even believe we are getting married. There was so much we still had to face with Christian's family and our businesses not to mention our family dynamic. My mind wanders back to the day after the Coping Together Gala last summer.

"Oh look, Sawyer decided to join us," says Elliot from the grill where he is helping Carrick grill up some fruit and ham steaks. Carrick smacks Elliot upside the head and points at him with the grill fork with a warning. "What?"

"Enough Elliot," Mia yells to him as she takes Wyatt from his arms.

Luke just stands outside the doorway very uncomfortable with his hand on the back of his neck massaging out the tension in his body. When Grace walks out of the house the poor bastard stiffens and retreats into the house before she notices he is there. Through the patio door I see Kate great Sawyer and they seem to be contemplating something. Before Kate walks outside Sawyer shakes his head and Kate responds with a shrug.

"Anyone seen Ethan since last night? I haven't been able to get in touch with him and he never came back to our house last night," Kate asks as she heads toward us.

"Uh…um, Kate I am sure Ethan is fine," Ana grits through her teeth nervously while opening her eyes wide to Kate to give her one of those girly looks. You know the kind that says 'shut the hell up' without saying the words.

"Yea, well he could have called. She has been worried about him and he can't even pick up the phone to tell his sister he isn't coming home. I mean, if he is shacked up with some broad that's cool and all but seriously rude if you ask me," Elliot says and Ana nearly chokes on her water.

I see movement out of the corner of my eye and I notice that Ireland and Ethan are walking over from the path that connects the Grey's property to ours. It is not so much that the are walking together that bothered me so much, no. It is the fact that he is holding my little sisters fucking hand that makes me lunge to my feet causing the chair to fall behind me. Ana stands next to me with her hands on my biceps trying to calm me down but I don't' even look at her. I am more focused at the dead man walking toward me.

"Gideon, she is an adult," Ana tells me and that alone is enough to tell me that she knew what was going on and she didn't tell me. When I look down at her with what I can only imagine is murderous rage emanating from my pores she blanches and takes a step back.

"What is this? He was with Ireland last night? You knew about this?"

"I heard them this morning in the guest room-"

"Wait…you heard them…what? What the fuck did you hear? Were they? Did he? I am going to fucking kill that little bastard." I shoot past Ana and ran full speed toward Ethan Kavanagh. As I approach Ireland released Ethan's hand and stands in front of him in full protection mode. My instinct to tackle him is thwarted with her reaction to seeing me run so I had to come to a full stop before I took them both down.

"Gideon, no! Stop!" Ireland screams as I reach around her trying to snatch Ethan's head off his shoulders.

"Come here you little fucker. Don't hide behind my sister. What the hell were you thinking sleeping with my sister in my house? She is only nineteen years old."

"I am not hiding Gideon. In case you can't see for yourself your sister is blocking me. I know she is only nineteen and I am twenty-five, so what the hell is your point."

"Everyone stop!" Ana yells as she pulls at my arms. "Cross, back home now. Ireland, please keep an eye on Charlie while I try to get him back under control. We will be right back."

Ana pulls on my arm and leads me back to the path and toward our house. I shrug her off and she stops for a second shocked by my actions before following me back up to the house. A step behind me the entire time. When I get to the house I slam open the patio door not the least bit calmer than I was five minutes ago.

"Why didn't you tell me he was here last night with Ireland? Jesus Christ Ana she is only nineteen years old," I yell as she slowly and calmly closes the patio door. Her face is impassive but there is no mistaking my mood right now. I am fucking pissed that the little fucker was screwing my little sister in my house. I pace the kitchen floor cursing the day Ethan was born. Blaming myself for letting my own needs come before the protection of my baby sister, I yell and scream until there is nothing more to say.

Ana is still standing by the door with her hands on her hips staring at the ceiling, waiting for me to finish ranting. When a few moments of silence passes her head drops to meet my eye line from across the room and a small smirk plays on her mouth. She thinks this is amusing. I don't thing anything about this is funny.

"You done?"

"Don't fuck with me Ana."

She walks further into the room, her smile getting wider as she gets closer to where I am standing near the kitchen island. "I am not fucking with you Gideon. I had no idea Ethan spent the night. When I went to get dressed this morning I heard voices in the guest room. I didn't tell you because it is not my place to tell you who your sister is sleeping with. She is nineteen, as you shouted earlier. An adult. You may not like it but she is. You can't tell her who to be with-"

"I can when she is our house."

"No, you can't. You can tell her you disapprove of her having guests without your knowledge but you cannot tell her who to sleep with. Besides, Ethan is a good guy. He is not going to hurt her. He would never do that."

I lift my eyes to look over her head and let her words sink in. Ireland is an adult. Maybe so but she is still my sister. I will be watching that stupid Kavanagh fucker. He so much as looks at her like he is thinking of touching her I will rip his eyes out of their sockets. Shit. Why couldn't Ana have a boy? I am going to go to jail for murder by the time Charlie is old enough to date. I shake my head of that thought immediately.

"Fine. But I don't want him sleeping here."

Ana kisses my cheek, "fair enough." She turns to walk away and I grab her my her hips and toss her up on the island countertop.

"Where do you think you are going, huh? You kept a secret from me. I don't like secrets. You will pay dearly for that Miss Steele."

My voice is riddled with lustful promises and with the empty house and months and months of fucking to make up for I will seize this moment to fuck my fiancé right here in the kitchen. Ana's eyes go wide as I reach up her sundress and yank the sides of her panties. The granite countertop is doing nothing to cool down her warm skin under my fingers. I slide one hand up her chest and another behind the nape of her neck so I can push her down into a lying position with her legs dangling over the side.

Ana is turned on by my the force and gentleness of my touch. "Slide up baby and put your feet flat on the counter."

My beautiful girl does as she is told, for once, and I nudge her knees apart to reveal her flowering pussy. From this height and angle she is fully exposed and I can better appreciate the beautifulness that is before me.

Last night was the first time I was able to make love to my woman and it was a desperate and emotionally raw evening for us both. Now, in the light of day, I can fully appreciate the prize before me. The dripping, clenching, throbbing prize that is waiting to be pleasured.

"Gideon, I need-"

"Shhh, I know what you need baby. I am going to learn every inch of your body. Every crevice of your pussy. Every place that makes you come undone for me. Just feel me."

I lower my head and run my tongue from her knee to her inner thigh, over her hip bone, across her C-section scar, and do the same in reverse down to her opposite knee. Ana is writhing on the counter trying to urge her hips toward my face. As I start my assault again I stop at the apex of her thighs and allow the tip of my tongue to glide through her glistening slit. When I get to that magical button of indulgence I suck hard causing my girl to moan from deep within her soul.

"You like that baby?" I ask as I slip my finger where my tongue was just seconds ago. "Ummm, you do. Good to know."

I slide one then two fingers into her soft core and finger fuck her until she comes apart in my hand. From this angle I can watch her face tense and relax as she finds her release. I can see the cute little V pop up between her brows and her sweet mouth form a perfect O before she screams my name. While I continue to let her ride out her orgasm on my hand I use my free hand to unbutton my pants and free myself from my signature black boxer briefs. I remove my hand in her clenching core and gently pull her closer to the edge of the counter before sinking into her warmth slowly, savoring every pull from her from within.

"Oh baby, you feel so good."

Although Ana is still panting like a bitch in heat she finds herself enough to open her eyes and look down at me while I admire our joining of flesh. I glance up for a second to wink at her before turning my focus back to my dick playing peek-a-boo with her hot pussy. Ana forces herself into a sitting position and takes a peek at what it is I am admiring. Her moaning is becoming louder and louder with each thrust and as I set her off again I feel a rush of pleasure that I can't control and I cum hard and fast inside her. I don't even know where it came from. There was no buildup or warning. I just felt my dick go off like a shot as if I was an adolescent boy getting his first taste.

Fuck I am getting hard just thinking of her. It has been three long days since I have seen her. I need to get home tomorrow and get back to my life but I have some loose ends to tie up here first.

Checking my watch I realize that I have put this off too long and I need to face this before heading home tomorrow. I call Angus to ready the car and head out of the penthouse. When I reach the lobby I can't help but feel that someone is watching me. I look around but I don't see anyone out of the ordinary. I have had this sinking feeling since the day I got here. Perhaps it is just my nerves getting the best of me. I climb into the Bentley and head in the direction to the last place I ever wanted to visit again.

Ana

"No Kate. I'm exhausted. The wedding is in four days and I have so much to do still. I don't want to go out."

"Come on. Gideon is gone. Elliot is out of town and Ireland is here to watch Charlie. Lets go out."

"It's Tuesday," I tell her exasperated.

"Exactly. It's ladies night at the bar downtown."

"No!"

"Fine. So what shall-"

The ringing of my cell phone cuts Kate off mid sentence. I hold up my index finger to silence her.

"Hi, Ros. How are you?"

"Good Ana, you?"

"Busy. Between a walking toddler and Gideon wanting the wedding of the year I'm exhausted."

"Yeah, I can imaging," Ros's voice trails off as if she is apprehensive to talk to me about something. "Listen, I know this is a bad time but I have to talk to you about something."

"Is everything okay?"

"Um. Well that is part of what I wanted to talk to you about. Gwen and I have decided to start having kids and well…I don't think I will be the best person for the job as CEO at GEH. I want to step down to my old position."

Hearing this from Ros is a shock to say the least. Christian left her in charge because he thought she was more than capable. I don't know what to say. I certainly can't run the company myself. I haven't the slightest idea what that even requires. I was an English major for Christ sakes.

"I won't leave you high and dry. I will stay on until you we can find a replacement."

"Ros, I don't know what to say. I…I just don't know what to do. I wouldn't have the slightest idea who to interview or what to look for," I tell her. I don't want to ruin all of Christian's hard work. He built his company from nothing and I don't want to destroy it.

"Ana, I know this comes as a shock but after Christian died I realized that life is short and if we keep waiting to have kids we may miss our chance."

"I understand. I am not faulting for wanting a family or spending more time with the ones you love I am just…I don't know what to do."

"If I may, you might want to discuss this with Gideon. He may be the answer we're both looking for. I mean I don't know how you feel about it, but he will be your husband soon and I don't see why merging the two entities hasn't been discussed already. It is a sensible solution to the problem and I can't really see how you can be married to the competition without some kind conflict arising eventually. Having Cross Industries and GEH merge would put the company at the top of it's game as well as make you both the richest couple in US. Bar none."

"Thanks Ros. I will talk to Gideon about it, but please don't say anything to anyone yet. I want to wait until after the wedding to bring it up. Gideon has a lot on his plate right now and once this wedding is over we can all breathe a bit easier."

"Sure Ana. No problem. Whatever you need."

"Good night Ros."

"Night, Ana."

When I hang up with Ros I feel like a decision that has weighed on my mind since Gideon and I got engaged is being forced down my throat now. It was Christian's wishes that Ros take over the company and run it with his plan in mind. Gideon has some worries about how that would work going forward but nothing was ever resolved between us. This is a matter that has been a touchy subject and has been the beginning of a few recent arguments. Gideon of course has the same hang ups as Ros about us, as a married couple, owning opposing businesses. Although our paths in business hardly ever cross, we are opening a can of ethical worms that could haunt us down the line.

"What was that about Steele? You look worried all of a sudden." Kates voice startled me from my thoughts.

"It was Ros. She is resigning as CEO."

"Oh," Kate replied with a frown.

"She thinks I should talk it over with Gideon and combine Cross Industries and GEH."

"Really. Wow. That is…wow."

"Yeah." I drop my head into my hands and push my hands into my hair in a very Christian Grey like fashion.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know Kate. GEH is all I have left of Christian-"

"Stop!" Kate holds her hand up in frustration. "Just stop. Jesus Ana, you have to stop thinking what would Christian do. You can't live your life under the thumb of a man who is dead. You are driving yourself crazy. I can see it, all the time."

"I do not think that."

"No. Let me ask you something. What do you drive?"

"What?"

"Your car. What do you drive?"

"An Audi."

"Why? Why did you choose the Audi SUV in the end after you and Gideon were looking at Mercedes SUV's?"

I think about that for a moment and when I come to the conclusion she is driving at I hang my head and refuse to answer.

"Exactly. Christian though the Audi was safer and instead of doing what you wanted to do, you did what Christian wanted. And after you had Charlie, you wanted to cut your hair but you didn't. Why? You said because Christian always liked it long. You do it with everything. The clothes you wear, the food you eat, the workout you do." Kate grabs my hand as my eyes well up with tears. "Honey I love you and I am not trying to make you sad but if you are not careful you are going to talk yourself out of the best thing that ever happened to you and Charlie. Gideon loves you something fierce but he is not going to sit by much longer and live in Christians shadow. It's not fair that you expect him to."

What Kate is saying mirrors what Gideon has told me for some time now. In fact I was worried when he said he was going to New York for a few days to handle some personal business. I didn't really ask what that entailed but I figured he was entitled to some privacy. The stress of the wedding and a very active one year old was taking its toll on both our nerves. Not to mention the added stress of Gideon's work topped non other by his mothers want to be a part of a wedding she was barely invited to.

"You're right. It's not fair. I have to stop, I know I do. It is just that GEH was Christians whole life, and now-"

"It will be part of you and Gideon and Charlie. It's the way it has to be Ana. You have to move on or this thing with Gideon is never going to work."

"You know Kate," I give her a penitent stare. "I hate it when you are right."

"I know. Come on. Let's grab some dinner and Margaritas."

"I don't-"

Kate gives me a stare that can level a city block. Christian never liked me out drinking and did everything in his bag of tricks to stop me. Gideon doesn't like it either but he doesn't refuse me as long as security is with me. This is one of those moments that Kate was talking about and unless I want to continue our little disagreement I am going to have to cave on this one. Drinks it is.

Gideon

Even though it is a beautiful spring day the world seems darker every time I come here. Baring white Calla Lili's, my chest gets tighter the closer I get to Eva's headstone. Her name engraved on the large cold stone causes a deep sob to emanate from my chest as I drop the flowers to the ground. It's been two years since that day and it still hurts like it happened just yesterday.

"Hey baby. Couldn't leave the city without saying good-bye."

I shift nervously, not really knowing what else to say to her. The strain between Ana and I over the last few weeks has me wondering what life would have been like if Eva were still alive. My mind rarely goes there anymore, except when I am here, alone, staring at the grey stone that marks the resting place of my first love.

I take a deep cleansing breath and realize that even though it hurts to be here it is easier to walk away now. There is nothing else that needs to be said. Nothing that I need to get off my chest. No deep dark secrets that I haven't already told her after she died. I have made peace with her death, mostly because of Ana and Charlie. Ana is my love and Charlie is my heart. They have both breathed life into me and in four days we will be a real family.

I kiss my fingers and trace Eva's name one more time before standing to leave. "Bye Angel."

I shove my hands in my pockets and head in the direction of the car with my head down. As I approach my car I stop dead in my tracks when I notice someone is leaning against my car. I think my mind is playing tricks on me. It can't be. Its impossible. There is no way that is who I think it is. NO WAY IN HELL. I stride the last few yards to the car apprehensively. Not blinking at all in fear that the person will disappear before my eyes if I do. Closing the gap between us I am met with a set of eyes I never thought I would see again.

Ana

"Bartender, 'nother round," Kate says causing me to roll my eyes in irritation.

Bobby the bartender approaches and I cover my hand over my wine glass to indicate I have had enough. How do I know his name is Bobby? Because he has been flirting with Kate and I since we got here and Mr. Six foot three, give or take, tattooed and pierced doesn't seem to care that we are both sporting rocks the size of ice rinks. Kate is on her third Mojito and doesn't suggest to be nearly done. I unlike her, have a kid at home and a wedding to get ready for.

"Last one Kate." I shoot her a don't-fuck-with-me look. "I am serious this time."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know."

"I am going to use the restroom. I will be right back."

Kate has brought us to a popular little Irish Pub in the Pike Market district. It is a hopping place for being a Tuesday and I have to maneuver through a lot of bodies to get to the back corner where the ladies room is housed.

As I reach for the handle I hear my name being called from the dark corner near the back of the bar. The voice stills me in my tracks and makes my blood run cold. It is a voice that I never thought I would hear again.

Gideon

I stand frozen in my spot. As I approach the person I thought was long gone my body feels like it is floating. The man who is standing before me is calm and cool like this whole time hid death has been a dream. The stinging of my eyes causes me to blink for the first time.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, son."

"Dad? But how…what…what the fuck is going on. You're dead." I run my hands into my hair and stare at my father, trying to wrap my head around what the fuck is going on. How is it possible that Geoffrey Cross, the man that offed himself when I was a fucking kid is here, leaving against my car? The man who chose the chicken shit way out and killed himself leaving me with a broken woman who didn't give a fuck about me enough to protect me from the fallout of his death.

"Come. I know you have questions but I don't want to talk about this in a cemetery. The irony is not lost on me," my father says as he walks past me and into the passenger side of my car.

I don't move. I stand gaping at the car. Is he a ghost? Am I dreaming? How is any of this shit possible?

My father rolls down the window and pops his head out, "You coming or are you going to stare at me all day?"

Staring was on my agenda. But if I want to know why I am seeing ghosts all of a sudden I need to get in the car and drive. If I can.

Ana

I chose to ignore the calling of my name and instead continue to the restroom as planned. The troll bitch is the last person that I would ever care to talk to again. I don't care if it is rude. I rush into the stall and lock the door behind me. I hear the bathroom door open again and the tell-tale click of a lock tells me I am not getting out of here without a confrontation.

"Can't I pee in peace Elena?"

"Any reason you are ignoring me. I just wanted to say hello."

"Hello. Now can I have some privacy," I say in a cold tone as I fix my panties back in place and flush the toilet.

When I exit the stall I see that Elena's perfect blond hair is neatly done as always. Her clothing is expensive and her makeup is flawless just like every other time I have seen her. I push past her to wash my hands and she throws me a menacing laugh in return.

"Hear you are getting married this weekend. Congratulations."

"Thank you," I spit out without a bit of pleasantness. I can feel her eyes boring into the side of my face as I finish washing up. "What?"

"Huh, just wondering what you have that gets men like Christian Grey and Gideon Cross to come a running."

"Are we done here? I have nothing to say to a child molesting bitch such as yourself and I really don't want to breathe the same oxygen as you, so if you will excuse me." I push past her and as I put my hand on the lock her arm comes from behind me to hold the door shut.

"Try not to kill this one," Elena growls as she yanks the door open and disappears into the crowded bar. Bitch.

Irritation and anger fill me as I race after her but as quick as she appears is as quickly as she is gone.

"Ana, there you are," says Kate with a slight slur to her voice. "You've been gone a while."

"Lets go Kate. We are leaving. Now."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Lets go."

I push through the crowd of people to the bar and settle our bill before texting Taylor to bring the car around. Why I let that bitch get under my skin, I will never know, but she did. And her words stung.

Gideon

Shock. That is what this is. Shock. I am not sure how we got to sitting in my living room but since the cemetery my father and I havn't spoken a word. When we walked out of the elevator I immediately made a V-line to the bottle of scotch that I keep in my office and downed three fingers full of the warm amber liquid before heading back to the living room where I found Geoffrey Cross staring out into the city below.

"You've done very well for yourself Gideon. I am proud of you."

The shock that I am feeling is transformed into anger. Anger for the boy in me who no one would protect, anger for the wife who mourned a husband to the point of nearly breaking apart at the seems, anger for having to live all those years without a man who was obviously alive this whole time.

"You need to start talking," my fury riddled voice does nothing to the man standing before me. "What the fuck is going on?"

"I know you have questions. This must all come as a shock to you. Why don't we sit and I will explain why I am here." He motions to the couch and takes a seat in the chair adjacent from it.

"I am here to…Christ I don't even know where to start. Look son-"

"Don't call me son. You have no right to call me that." Anger and alcohol is making my mind foggy.

"I deserve that. You have questions and I will answer them. All of them but we need to get out of the city and head to Vegas. Tonight."

"Vegas? Why? Tell me what the hell is going on."

"Fine. But we don't have much time so I will tell you what you need to know. When we are on the plane I will answer any other questions you have."

I nod in agreement.

"Your uncle Mario died. There is a big family meeting in Vegas to figure out who his successor should be. Since you are the only male heir, the choice is you, by default, however there has been some…outside issues lately that threaten to take down our operations. We need to get to Vegas and sort this all out before things get messy."

I look at him like he is talking in tongues. What the fuck is he talking about family meeting?

"You have no idea what I am saying do you?" I shake my head. "Fuck. Damn your mother. She should have told you by now."

"Told me what?"

"Told you where you come from. What her family is all about."

"Again I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Your mothers father was a Don. In his prime he ran the biggest organized crime ring in Vegas history. When it was getting near retirement he drew me in to clean his money. He had me set up the Ponzi scheme so when he retired all his money appeared to be legit. When he died your uncle Mario took over and got greedy. He pulled his investment which caused a ripple effect. When we couldn't justify the whereabouts of the money it got ugly. Legitimate investors wanted my head on a plate. I didn't know what to do. I went to the police and tried to get out of it but Mario found out and tried to kill me. Your mother had to intervene on my behalf and make a deal with her kid brother.

"What kind of deal."

"I would pretend to kill myself so this whole mess would go away. The money and the ponzi scheme would die with me. In return I had to stay on as your uncles financial advisor," Geoffrey's voice trails off.

I stare impassively at the man sitting before me. Long gone is the happy-go-lucky father I once build sand castles with. The father that would throw me in the air and tickle me until I couldn't breath. No, that is not the man I see here. The man I see is a broken shell of a guy who looks beaten and worn out. If I didn't feel the anger I do now I might feel sorry for him.

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Mario died. This is my chance to make a clean break. Get my life back." His eyes glass over. "Get to know my son."

"So what is it that I have to do?" I'm confused and irritated that after all this time this man has the nerve to ask me for a favor.

"You need to go to the meeting and stand down as the new head of the family. But Gideon, that means the casino's go with it."

Anger flares up in me again. "What the fuck do you mean? I made my money on my own. I had nothing to do with any of this shit. This is your mess. Not mine."

Geoffrey laughs and stands abruptly. "Come now Gideon, surely you are not that naïve. You think you won that money in Vegas on accident. I set up the games. You won because I allowed you to. It was my way of providing a life for you. For you to get out of your mother's family business and make your own way. I don't want you to end up like me. I missed out on most of my life because I married a woman who thrust me into her family business, like it or not. Now I am asking that you do this for me. Once we are done, you never have to see me again."

I contemplate what he said. He set up the games? My mind is reeling from the information he is telling me. Then as if on cue I am alerted by the front desk that my mother is requesting to come up. Great. One big family reunion.

"There's more Gideon," Geoffrey says as I down another shot of scotch. "Something your mother doesn't know about, yet."

"Of course there is," I snarl as I open the front door.

My mother doesn't even acknowledge me as she strolls into my apartment wearing a dark blue summer dress and white heals. Her long black hair is pulled into a high ponytail and her makeup is neatly done. She has an ora of confidence around her that I have never seen before. The broken woman I am used to seeing is nothing like the woman who just strolled past me on a mission.

"Geoffrey."

"Elizabeth."

"You wanted me here so I am here. I assume to informed Gideon of his place in all of this."

"Sort of. I had no idea you had NEVER told him where he comes from. This conversation would have gone a bit smoother if he had known the back story of your screwed up family. Thank you for allowing me the honor of telling our son he comes from a long line of psychopaths."

I stand between the two of them and face my mother. She cowers a bit under my glare but doesn't back down. "Why didn't you tell me all this shit? How could you make me belive that my father was dead all these years."

She lifts her hand to my cheek and I grab her wrist. Her touch sends icy chills down my spine and right now I don't want any distractions. I want the fucking truth.

"Tell me!"

"I did it to protect you."

"Bullshit," Geoffrey interjects. When we both look toward him he motions for her to continue.

"I did. My brother was an intense man. He would have killed Geoffrey if I hadn't struck a deal. We would have been penniless in the street and my whole family would have shunned me. Us." My mother leans past me to look at Geoffrey. "What the hell was I supposed to do? Let them kill you."

Geoffrey shrugged and my mother slumped into the couch. "You said there is more. Something she doesn't know?"

With that revelation my mother perked up and looks pensively at my father.

"Uh...we can talk about that later Gideon. But for now-"

"No. Tell me. What don't I know?" My mother inquires. I sit back on the couch and throw my head back in irritation.

"It's about Christopher, Gideon."

Those four words cause my head to snap at attention and the need to know dissipates because I know what happened to Christopher. My mother thinks he is on the run but I know better.

"Mother, we have to get going. If you don't mind-"

"NO! I want to know where my son is. I have reached out to all of my contacts and they have come up with nothing."

I nod my head for Geoffrey to continue. If she wants to know the cold hard truth about her sociopath of a son then by all means let's get all this shit out on the table.

"Fine," Geoffrey sighs. "Christopher helped Christian Grey take over Cross industries. After Christian met with the investors he left them with the impression he was going to sell the casinos. That would have been bad for business. Mario reached out to Christopher and put it in his head that offing Christian Grey would be in everyone's best interest."

My heart stops for a second. Christopher knew about my mother's family? He knew and I didn't. Mario reaching out to Christopher means that my family…oh my god. The blood drains from my face and I feel like my heart is now going to beat out of my chest.

"Mario gave Christopher the money to put the hit out," Geoffrey turns to me with apologetic eyes. "Gideon I had no idea that Eva was on board until after it happened. I'm so sorry for that. If I had known she was on board the plane I would have stopped it."

My mother gasps at the realization. I stare at Geoffrey as his words slowly sink in. My family killed my fiancé. Killed Christian, Charlie's father. Turned all of our lives on its axis. Now my father is sitting here expecting me to help him. Help him get out of the life he choose. Fuck that.

"I'm sorry Gideon. I really am."

"Sorry. You're right you are sorry," I point to Geoffrey then to my mother. "I am glad Christopher is dead. You will never find him. People saw to that. People that care about me and Ana and Charlie made sure that fucker that killed my daughters father paid the price. Made sure that Eva's death was avenged. You did this. Your sons blood is on your hands. All of your lies and this bullshit has brought us here." I turn back to Geoffrey. "I will go with you but not until after Saturday. I am getting married on Saturday."

"Can't do it. It has to be tomorrow. The meeting is in place for tomorrow. You will be back in Seattle in time to get married on Saturday. I just need you to tell the family you are not taking the reins."

"Fine. Give me an hour and I will be ready."

I look over to see my mother sobbing into her hands at the loss of her son. It pains me to watch, not because I feel sorry for her but because she never shed a tear for me for all those years I was being tortured and abused. She played the part of the sorrowful victim, which led those fucking doctor right to our front door. I blame her. I blame her for all of it and I will be damned if I feel an ounce of remorse for anyone in this room.