Chapter 34 ~~ November
Thanksgiving, November 24
The first tendrils of daylight wound their way through the curtains. What was the point of fighting for slumber any longer? Sleep taunted and teased, but never settled in place. Last night's dreams haunted Bee…visions of all she wanted to leave behind…and visions of all she anticipated going forward. Her past was ghastly in so many spots…but it led her to Ray. For that, she would be eternally grateful. She lingered in bed for a few moment. She would love a morning walk with Ray…but the moment she left Rod's guest bedroom…it would be all hands on deck. She pretended not to hear the conversation of six men going on in the kitchen, and snuggled down into the sheets. Quiet and reflection would be a luxury today.
~X~
"Skiing was glorious," An emerald and black ski clothed Kate hugged Ana hello. "Are you sure you don't want to learn to ski?"
"No…no…no. Prescott and Sawyer don't need broken bones trying to save me from snow bunny harm." Ana laughed.
"So what did you do today?" Mia asked.
"Cooked with Grace and Grandma Frannie. Listened to Christian play the piano. Laughed at Theo and Carrick playing pool." Ana lit the candles on the dining room table.
"We'll freshen up and change for dinner," Kate hugged her roommate. "You look lovely."
"I wanted to wear the plum dress, but Gwen talked me into buying this mulberry cashmere sweater dress." Ana laughed. "I need to take a selfie later and send it to Carla. Since I didn't go to Savannah; Bob and Carla went to one of his sisters."
"Well, I think the new dress, the curled hair, the modest pearl earrings, and black ankle boots will make Critical Carla happy." Kate laughed.
"She's already upset that Christian and I didn't go skiing with you and Elliot, and Mia and Ethan. She gave me grief about cooking for the crowd. Since she didn't give me the obligatory compliments before she started complaining…I'm waiting to tell her I'm moving in with Christian. I thought I'd tell her our Christmas plans…and let her figure it out for herself." Ana teased.
~X~
"I liked the solitude and quiet of my life until I realized it was dark and empty. You brought light, and reason to my existence," Christian told Ana.
"I don't know how I did that," Ana said. "I'm just a quiet lit student turned beta reader for a publishing company. I like my quiet and solitude also."
Air backed up into her lungs as she looked into his startling grey eyes. She had always considered grey a rather flat and lifeless color, but mysterious and vibrant more aptly described this man's eyes. A world of secrets swirled in their depths. "I should go back to the condo tonight, to finish packing. I promised to go Black Friday shopping with Mia and Kate tomorrow. Ray and Bee are in Portland with the Rodriguez men."
"You were busy all day, cooking with Mom and Grandma. You have to be up early tomorrow to shop. I think we should have an early night," Christian held the door to the R8 open for her. "Kate and Mia can pick you up at Escala."
"I'd like that…laying in your bed, watching the lights of Seattle outside the window. Do they change as Christmas approaches?" Ana asked, peering out into the darkness of Bellevue.
"I wouldn't know. We'll have to ask. Where do you want to put the tree?"
"I thought we'd close that one door to your home office and put the tree in that corner by the fireplace." Ana suggested.
"Fake tree? Not real one to dry out and be a fire hazard?"
"Fake – a really good fake. I haven't figured out the rest. Perhaps all white to coordinate with your white main room. Maybe white, gold and chocolate? Maybe gold, hunter green and burgundy to introduce color to the place."
"Perhaps blue for your eyes and grey for mine." Christian teased.
"I don't think those are Christmas colors, but I can research for ideas," Ana smiled. "Maybe silvery grey, to match your eyes when you are full of mischief."
"We're in Aspen for Christmas. I will invite Ray and Bee if you would like."
"I would, but I can't without inviting Carla and Bob." Ana sighed.
"The more the merrier! The Kavanaghs are invited…especially since Ethan and Mia are still seeing one another when they have time. I'll ask Mom to send a formal written invitation to have Carla and Bob come to Aspen by the Friday before Christmas and leave the Friday after. Normally everyone hangs out until after the New Year; but we have to be back in Seattle for New Year's Eve. We will be invited to Andrea and Adrian's wedding. Ros and Gwen are going to Hawaii for Christmas. They will return for the wedding also."
"I'll be prepared to explain to Carla about the ugly Christmas presents. She might have something in mind to craft." Ana made notes on her phone.
Black Friday, November 25
"What the hell are you doing here?" Elena screeched at Ana as she exited her vehicle in the parking garage at Escala.
Ana promised to go Black Friday shopping with Mia and Kate. It was early afternoon and she was exhausted. "I'm going to our double closet in the penthouse to put my purchases away. Then if I'm lucky…I can take a nap. Then, before dinner, Christian and I might christen my new home office with sex on the desk."
"I heard Seattle Nooz comment you're moving in with Christian. I'm here to make him realize he has dark secrets which you cannot understand." Elena ordered; attempting to bar Ana from entering the elevator to the penthouse. "Christian is out of your league! He's had prettier and better than you. Go fuck a frat boy,"
"Go fuck yourself," Ana countered. "I'm sure you have plenty of battery operated boyfriends to service you since your Christian Grey Doppelganger Boy Toy was killed. You probably can't pay a teenage boy enough money to fuck you since you're in your fifties."
Elena backhanded Ana.
"BITCH!" Ana landed a furious fist in Elena's face…grinning when she heard a satisfying crunch of bone and cartilage. Blood spirted everywhere. Ana may have suspected it, but her punch confirmed Gothica's previously patrician nose was the result of a talented plastic surgeon.
The blow knocked Elena on her ass. Her hands flew to her face, attempting to use the sleeves of her leopard print coat to staunch the flow of blood. "BITH," she snarled at Ana. "I wilf hade you charthed wit assaulth!"
"Self-defense, bitch! I have been pushed to the limit by bastards stalking me, assaulting me or trying to kill me! If you come near me again, I will shot first and answer police questions later!" Ana took a picture of Gothica on her ass, with a broken nose.
Prescott parked and ran to the elevator when she saw Elena. She turned off her audio/visual disrupter and caught pictures of Elena Lincoln's broken nose.
"Take me home Prescott. I'm exhausted from shopping and I'm hungry. You better let Taylor know there is a wounded animal print stalking the elevator; seeking a way to get in."
~X~
"What the hell was that?" Christian snapped at Taylor. They were taking when Taylor abandoned the penthouse. "I thought we were discussing security needs for the holidays." Taylor showed Christian a picture with a red mark on Ana's face. "What the fuck?"
"Mrs. Lincoln backhanded Ana…luckily, she wasn't wearing all those diamond rings she normally wears." Taylor announced. "Ana didn't hesitate…she punched broke Mrs. Lincoln's nose. Prescott called to say there was a wounded animal print trying to get into the penthouse elevator. Mrs. Lincoln is headed for Dr. Julian's office. I don't know if her nose can be repaired."
Christian groaned and looked guilty. "What the hell was Elena doing here?"
"It's national news you and your family remained in Seattle for Thanksgiving. Seattle Nooz outed you and Ana moving in together. Elliot, Kate, Mia and Ethan were photographed skiing on Mt. Baker yesterday. Mia, Kate and Ana were photographed shopping today."
"Why didn't Ana come up?"
"She told Prescott to take her home. She's tired from shopping. Remember she's packing to move in with you. Quit wallowing in your guilt. You didn't know Elena planned to show up here."
"What if Ana doesn't want me after this. Imagine what she's thinking…she leaves and Elena shows up?"
"Send Ana an email and tell her how proud you are that she survived shopping with Mia and Kate. Offer to bring dinner to her tonight. Offer to help her move on Sunday. Don't freak out if she doesn't answer right away."
~X~
Ana entered the penthouse at Escala, with a rolling footlocker of items.
Christian knelt and assumed the submissive pose.
"What are you doing?" Ana shrieked in astonishment.
Christian ignored her.
"Look at me…"
He continued to ignore her.
Ana knelt and clasped his hands. "Look at me." Her voice softened. "What are you doing?"
"Surrendering my body, my heart, my life to you." Christian's head was still bowed, his voice as soft as Ana's voice.
"I don't want your surrender. I want you to open up to me, to share yourself, to share your life with me." Ana repositioned herself, mirroring his pose.
"If I share my darkest secret with you…you will leave me." Christian still avoided looking at her.
"My deepest, darkest secret is I set up my stepfather, Steve Morton. He came to my room. He was drunk; he threatened me. He removed his belt and hit me once. I turned on my back, pulled my knees to my chest; and kicked him. He hit the dresser and passed out on the floor. I didn't want anyone to know he hit me. I did not want to drop my panties for unknown medical staff or police to photograph my ass. So I yanked his jeans down to his ankles and took a picture of him. The picture of him, half undressed, lying next to my bed, ensured my mother would let me live with Ray. So there it is…I was sixteen and manipulated the situation so I would not have to live with my mother or be assaulted by my stepfather. Now it is your turn. Enlighten me."
"I'm not a Dominant…I'm a sadist. I like to punish petite brunette women because they remind me of Ella. I know that's fifty shades of fucked up. Flynn and I are dealing with it." Christian still hung his head.
"I'm not leaving; but I am asking hard questions. When did you start punishing petite brunettes?"
"When I was learning to be a Dominant." Christian admitted.
"Were petite brunettes the only young ladies included in your training? No leggy blondes or buxom redheads?"
Christian considered Ana's question for the longest time. "No, it's always been dark-haired, pale, petite brunettes."
"Elena was unhappy because you would not continue the BDSM lifestyle with her. She was jealous you wanted someone else. Why not pick women who remind you of your birth mother? She brainwashed you into believing the only sexual relationship you could have was with someone who couldn't see you, touch you or talk to you. That excessive list of rules gave you a reason to punish your submissives…which she twisted into you being angry with Ella. Controlling yourself is one thing…attempting to control another person's thoughts, actions, or needs…yeah, it's psycho."
"Elena is the mistake I will regret for the rest of my life. While I'm coming to terms with the effect she had on me, and on my relationship with my family…the past will not go away. Flynn is helping me undo the damage Elena caused in my life, both physically and mentally."
"I understand you had a traumatic past…but it doesn't give you a pass to hide your real emotions or your real weaknesses from me. Other than Flynn, did you ever discuss your emotions with someone?"
Christian shook his head no. "I wasn't sure you would return. You're not going to leave me?" Christian's little boy lost voice melted Ana's heart.
"I can put up with the publicity. I can put up with security forces. I cannot and I will not put up with delusional, demented bitches. Either Mrs. Robinson departs…or I do."
~X~
"I'm starving," Elliot growled. "Can I order…it's faster."
"Go for it," Kate agreed, busy with something blowing up her phone.
"A basket of onion rings, and the hot crab dip for starters. Two six-ounce fillet mignons, medium, with bordelaise sauce; two six-ounce lobster tails with lemon butter; asparagus spears; and twice baked potatoes. Toffee chip crème brulée for dessert. We'll also take a bottle of the 1999 Napa Valley Petite Sirah."
"I'm starving, so thank you for ordering a hearty meal." Kate commented as she turned off her cell and dropped it in her purse.
"Busy day?"
"Ana went Black Friday shopping with Mia and me. We suggested she drop her shopping bags at Escala rather than taking them home to pack later. She ran into Elena in the garage at Escala. Elena planned to tell Christian to break it off with Ana and not let her move in. They had words. Elena backhanded Ana. Ana punched Elena, breaking her nose."
Elliot signaled for the wait staff. "I knew I should have ordered a second bottle of wine." He forwarded the email Kate sent him about Elena and Ana assaulting one another in the Escala garage to his parents and Ray Steele.
"Celeste wants to know when you are moving in?" Kate observed Elliot.
"A.S.A.P.; because I want my place cleaned and refurbished and ready to rent to someone come January first. You realize we have to find a housekeeper/cook person. Ana won't have time to feed the freezer for us on a monthly basis." Elliot's attitude brightened when the server brought the wine. "You realize I need a week to remove Ana's access to the bathroom and make some adjustments in the condo."
"José and Bee are coming over on Sunday to pick up Ana's furniture. She's donating her furniture to the Montesano American Legion. Ana's room is an empty palette come Sunday night. We're all invited to Grey Manor for dinner."
"Three of my guys went over today to move the pool table and equipment from the library to the media room. Christian had office equipment installed in the library for her."
~X~
"Where are the books you read?" Ana asked, looking at shelves and shelves of pristine book covers.
"Here," Christian gestured to the books in the room.
"You don't read these; they are like an exhibition of first edition books." Ana protested. "Books with tattered and worn covers are the books best loved and read most. These look like they've never had their covers opened."
"Most of them are first editions," Christian argued. "I take care of my things."
"Yeah, but you don't love these books. Books are like the Velveteen Rabbit…tattered, worn and old. The best books are scruffy and they've become real through their use. These are just a photo shoot. I need two of these book sections to house my collection of books."
~X~
Ana ran her hands down his chest. Amazed she could touch him. Amazed at the softness of his skin over his muscles. Her fingers explored the few chest hairs he had. Her hand travelled from the center of his chest; past his stomach to his happy trail which peeked out of the jeans hanging off his hips. He let her undo his jeans and push them and his boxers off his ass to his ankles. Ana saw how ready he was…he was very large. He emitted a low groan when she stroked his penis. "Did you lock the door?"
"Yes." Christian laid Ana down on the desk in her home office, destroyed her panties and entered her in one hard thrust. Ana arched her back; meeting him movement for movement. This was a hard and fast fuck…and so necessary to quietly satisfy both. "Thank you," he stage whispered. "I'm thrilled to know that we won't be limited to expressing ourselves in the master bedroom."
"I'm not ready for the red room," Ana blushed. "However, as you can tell from the tub last night; the shower this morning, and now your desk…I'm willing to christen every room in the penthouse with you."
Kissing Ana, Christian let his thoughts wander. 'Ana is my perfect woman and lover. I will introduce new positions and toys slowly to our love life, to increase both our pleasure. There's a marvelous table in the foyer…and the elevator…and before the fireplace…and on the balcony…and on top of the piano…and the breakfast bar…the pool table…the soft leather couch in the media room.' He groaned in anticipation.
"Let's have dinner in the moonlight… while I play the piano," Christian offered. "Gail left us an antipasti platter: salami, cheeses, cherry tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, olives, bruschetta, Basil Jelly…"
"Basil Jelly?" Ana's nose wrinkled.
"Gail calls it Basil Jelly, but it is minced fresh basil mixed with roasted garlic. It's very good on bruschetta," Christian explained.
"I made a lasagna for us." Ana grinned. "I like making it for housewarming celebrations. It will go well with Gail's antipasti platter."
Saturday, November 26
"I know we're only half way through the holiday season," Grace informed Carrick. "I have seven more months of consulting for Doctors without Borders and then I can move from consulting to the North American board. It will be much easier for us. I have to go to Rio; there is a little girl in need of a heart transplant. Dr. Garcia-Riviera is reaching out to Doctors without Borders to get her a new heart."
"Is there a problem with the transplant system in Rio?" Carrick asked.
"They need help networking with transplant systems around the world. I will scrub in on the heart transplant for the little girl." Grace said. "I leave Monday; Christian's loaning me the GEH jet. I'll be back by Saturday."
"Just be careful," Carrick kissed her neck. "I can't go with you; I have to file the mediation request for the SIP/GP plaintiffs."
"I'm taking security with me," Grace assured him. 'I'm taking more than security with me. Elena and I need a serious conversation with one another. I cannot imagine her turning down a free trip to Rio.'
Sunday, November 27
"We're talking about that closet!" Ana threw her hair over her shoulders and glared at Christian. 'I'm not wearing $2,500 Louboutins or carrying $12,000 alligator satchels by Michael Kors. And don't get me started on those damned Monique Lhullier gowns!'
"Set what you want aside. Then let Mrs. Jones know to contact Caroline Acton. Caroline can call you and ask you need. I will have Andrea fax a list of events we have to attend in the next ninety days."
"List first…Caroline Acton second. That blue silk faille dress with all the layers of petals is going." Ana narrowed her eyes at him. "It's not appropriate for work."
"How about lunch or dinner at the Mile High Club?" Christian countered.
"It's not appropriate for lunch anywhere except at home. I don't like clothes that begin mid-bosom and end mid-thigh. Dinner requires an LBD…and there's twelve of them in that closet!"
"You need to understand quality clothes last longer and are more comfortable. I know it sounds like $100 is a lot to spend for a bra. But if the bra retains its shape after washing and you can wear it weekly for over a year before it has to be replaced – that is like spending $2 a week on comfort. You had to replace your seven bras from Wal-Mart or Target at least three times a year. When you have to wear something twelve or more hours a day, it ought to fit properly, feel comfortable and make you feel pretty."
"Whatever," Ana refrained from rolling her eyes. "I be in that closet…probably until the New Year." Ana did not understand Christian's fondness for melancholy music. She wasn't always the happiest person, but she tried not to wreck anyone's good mood with her dark thoughts.
"Hold me now…warm my heart…stay with me…let loving start…" Christian's voice drifted out of the great room to her. She half listened to him while putting her clothes away.
November 27
"Get over yourself," Bee counseled José. "If Annie loved you; she would be with you. Five years is plenty of time for her to know whether she loves you or not. You will always be Annie's college friend. You will always be Ray's best friend's son. Moving in together is a natural progression of their feelings for one another. You don't want to give her a picture for her home office as a congratulations gift. You want to give her a picture which is supposed to make her think of you. Maybe gifts are how Carla chooses her next man…but Annie isn't like that. She's not with Christian because of his money. She's with Christian because she's in love with him and deserves to explore her feelings with him."
"Do you know how much I hate that guy? What was Ray thinking – giving her permission to move in with Christian?" Jose ranted.
"Oh José, you need to grow up. Ray didn't ask Annie for permission for me to move in with him…he doesn't have the right to give Annie permission to move in with Christian. Only Annie can make the decisions about her future. If she lets Christian make those decisions with her…that's part of having a relationship. Maybe she'll ask for advice from Carla or me…but I don't see her discussing her life with anyone but Christian any time soon. We're here at Grey Manor…have a cold one and wipe that scowl off your face. After dinner, I'm dropping you at your condo. I will drive to Montesano. Ray should be back from Portland. Tomorrow we'll put her furniture in storage for the American Legion Fourth Memorial Day Weekend sale."
Jose scowled even more when Bee drove through the security gates at Grey Manor.
"You know…if you spend less time disapproving of Annie and Christian…you'll have time to realize Kate and Elliot are moving in together. He's two years older than Christian and Kate is Annie's age. If you use age difference to determine how you feel about a couple – I'd like to remind you of Bob and Carla, Ray and me, Christian and Annie, Ethan and Mia."
"What exactly are you trying to say to me?" Jose demanded.
"Jose…it is not your task to approve or disapprove of anyone's love life except your own. I suggest you cease wasting your time worrying about Annie's love life…and get one for yourself."
November 28
Ana woke with a very warm Christian wrapped around her, making slow, sweet love in their bed. "Good morning…" he kissed her sleepy eyelids.
"Lovely way to wake up; but I don't have to go to work until eleven," Ana almost protested. She didn't sleep long enough; and early morning sex was too short.
"I know, but I thought you should hear the news from me and not from Seattle Nooz or any other tabloid. My mom left early this morning for Rio on the GEH jet. She took Elena with her."
"Why?" Ana demanded to know.
"Dad said they needed a private conversation with one another. It's 20 hours from Seattle to Rio. Unless they are both sleeping, I imagine it's a cat fight at 30,000 feet. I'm waiting to talk to the flight crew and Mom's security."
~X~
Carrick set his coffee aside and selected the briefcase with the mediation paperwork for Jane Does versus Seattle Independent Publishers/Grey Publishing. Today he would appear at King County Superior Court. He carefully prepared the list of judges he knew out of the roster of four dozen for the court. After deleting twenty judges; he needed three who had four or five days free at the same time to create an arbitration board to hear the evidence. As there would be no rebuttal from SIP/GP; Carrick hoped to be done in four days.
Carrick could not believe his luck. Eight judges were available the week after Martin Luther King's birthday; January 17-20. The clerk offered February 21-24 when six judges were available; or May 29 though June first when four judges were available. One hour later; Carrick left three sets of depositions with the clerk, and had a three-judge arbitration panel for January 17-20. Back at his office, his associate prepared letters of notice to the Jane Does, Grey Publishing HR and Jerald Roach, and Grey House HR.
His associate set up a block of rooms at the Bellevue Hilton. The plaintiffs could bring a family member with them. Plaintiffs would call the Bellevue Hilton and reserve their room from Monday evening through Saturday morning. His associate arranged for two shuttles to transport Jane Does to the courthouse. Carrick sent a dress code to the ladies. He wanted them to dress in clothes they normally wore to work. He wanted them to appear to be average, normal young women who were importuned by a serial rapist.
~X~
Ana sighed.
"What's up?" Prescott asked. She wondered if Ana should have taken the day off. It was a busy weekend, moving Ana.
"I just read THE worst young adult manuscript. I think the author has the hots for Supernatural. There's a beautiful banshee, a wisecracking witch; a tree-hugging troll, a kleptomaniac knight; a pyromaniac pixie; a morphing magician; a narcoleptic nymph; and an angel with Alzheimer's!"
"Argh," Prescott made a disgusting noise while faux strangling herself. "Can I order some tea and goodies for us?" She went to speak to Hannah when Trisha came in.
"Ana, can you give me all day Friday in the office?" Trisha considered her planner. "I would like you to join me when I talk to a new author, Boyce Fox. You read his work. I'd like you there while I discuss his book cover artwork, and marketing and distribution strategies. I really want to publish him…for I foresee this novel spawning a sequel or two." She paused. "Legal looked over his contract. He's in talks with them Friday morning regarding E-publishing and hard copy publishing."
"I don't know anything about illustrations and cover art, or marketing and distribution strategies. All I've ever done is read manuscripts and make corrections and recommendations. It is time to expand my E-publishing KSAs." Ana admitted.
"Boyce is very proud of his first book. He should, because it is well written and an interesting plot. The downside is pride sometimes stonewalls negotiations." Trisha explained. "I'll tell you a secret…someone taught Boyce about contract negotiations and standard lines offered by publishing companies. The good thing is he came to GP first. We're not in a bidding war for his novel."
November 29
Monday, Grace slipped Elena a mickey in her champagne onboard the GEH jet. It was enough to quell her achy face and keep her unconscious for the flight. She was awake when they checked into the hotel. They ordered from room service and just chatted about the salon and spa offerings at the hotel. Grace offered Elena another mickey to help her sleep. Tuesday, Grace would be at the offices of a new transplant center in Rio. Grace would participate in a heart transplant case for a young Brazilian girl. Elena could swim, or take tours anywhere she wanted. Tuesday night they would attend a cocktail party to celebrate the opening of the new transplant center.
"Sodium pentothal in and working," Diego Garcia-Rivera informed Grace. "I must warn you…sometimes you hear things you wish you could unhear. Are you certain you need to interrogate your friend?" Grace nodded. "Are you Elena Lincoln?" Diego asked.
"Yes," Elena's voice was a bit slurry, like she was drunk.
"Are you in Arizona?" Diego asked.
"No, I am in Rio," Elena answered.
"She's all yours," Diego motioned for Grace to begin questioning. "I'll stay to monitor your questioning her. I guarantee, no one saw her enter the room with me. We have no observers and nothing is being taped."
"Why have you pretended to be my friend?" Grace asked.
"Because you're such a stupid bitch. You have money, power, prestige and a dedicated husband. I tried to seduce Carrick…but he was in love with you and refused me. I tried to seduce Elliot when he was seventeen, but he was drunk and combative. He hurt my wrist. I was a hot forty-year-old…every boy and man in our social circle wanted me…except Carrick and Elliot."
"Did you touch Christian?" Grace was unsure why that question popped into her head. She remembered Elena's sprained wrist.
"I taught that beautiful boy how to fuck when he was fifteen. I knew how to touch him. I taught him self-control. If it wasn't for me, he would be dead or in jail and he would tell you the same thing. I loaned him the money to start his business when you didn't approve of him dropping out of Harvard." Elena said proudly.
"Why did Christian give you the money for the salons?" Grace asked.
"Christian felt guilty because he couldn't touch me after Linc assaulted me. I couldn't lose my control over him. I trained him to be a Dominant. I found young women who he would fuck and fund." Elena's voice grew hard.
"What do you mean you found him young women?" Grace asked.
"He paid me a quarter of a million per submissive I found for him. They liked being blindfolded and restrained. He couldn't have sex with anyone who saw his scars, or who would touch him. I made sure they were medically clean, on birth control, and discreet. I made sure he was happy with the girl or I found him a new one. When he's done with Anastasia; I have more girls waiting for him. They all want him you know…they want his body and everything he can provide."
"He loves Ana!" Grace cried.
"People like us…we don't do love," Elena cackled. "He can't be the son you want because he's embarrassed about his sexual desires. He likes beating and fucking little girls that remind him of his crack whore mother."
"You taught him that," Grace said.
"Of course…he was so easy to manipulate. He learned to hate his crack whore mother. He was a perfect submissive."
"Was he the only teenager you touched?" Grace asked.
"No," Elena laughed like a drunk. "I had two boys before him and two after. I ordered him to go to UDub so we could continue our relationship. He went away to Harvard because he was worried you would find out about us." Elena said, a sickening sweet look on her Botoxed face.
"He was your submissive for six years, and then your client for another seven?" Grace asked.
"He would still be my client…but he met that damned Anastasia Steele." Elena sounded bitter.
"Did you order Isaac to hurt Ana?" Grace asked.
"Yes, Anastasia was supposed to critically injured that night, the victim of a botched robbery. Somehow, she got his gun and shot my Isaac. Then her bodyguard attacked him and broke his arm. Then Leila broke his nose. Injuries I gave him were one thing…I couldn't stand him being beaten by other people." Elena shuddered.
Dr. Garcia-Rivera checked Elena's vitals. "You might have ten more minutes before she becomes unconscious."
"What else have you done to my family?" Grace asked.
"Athena Allerton was supposed to get pregnant by Elliot. She was supposed to cause a breach between Elliot and your family. Only that stupid little bitch fucked it up." Elena sighed. "That bitchy little daughter of yours never showed me the respect I deserved. Christian loved her. I tried to teach both of them a lesson."
"How?"
"Lily James… Mia was supposed to be roofied and raped. But Christian arrived in Paris ahead of schedule. He and that goon Taylor saved Mia's ass."
"Do you have sex pictures of Christian?" Grace felt ill.
"Yes," Elena slurred the word.
"Where?" Grace asked.
"Fire safe in my closet at my house."
"What is the combination?"
- "Christian's birthdate: 06-18-83."
"I wish to god I never met you. I wish to god I could beat you to death for touching Christian," Grace sobbed. "I want to kill you for trying to ruin Elliot's life. I want to kill you for trying to hurt Mia. I want to hurt you for having Isaac hurt Ana." She slapped Elena…but it didn't matter…Elena had lost consciousness.
"What now?" Diego asked his friend and mentor. "The woman tried to hurt your family four times because she's jealous of you."
"I don't suppose you know how to make her disappear?" Grace fumed. She wanted to break Elena's nose!
"Grace…" Diego motioned to the room around him. "I can make her disappear; and I don't feel guilty about doing so. The money we raise from black market organs, and selling her limbs to medical schools for dissection can be an anonymous donation to the center. It gives her life a chance to be meaningful; instead of hateful and ruinous."
Grace turned to Garcia. "I attended a reception at your clinic. My friend met a man here and left with him. I'm going back to the hotel. Call me on her cell phone in one hour. Then destroy the phone." She shook Diego's hand. "Best of luck to Lucia and her family."
"You will never see or hear from Mrs. Lincoln again. Mrs. Lincoln's phone will go dead tonight and will not be activated again. You need to call her number, starting tomorrow morning, and continue to call it at least three times a day for the next week. When you leave the hotel in three days to fly home to the U.S., you will pack her luggage and take it with you. You will leave her passport and funds at the front desk. When you get home, insist on taking her things to her room. Retrieve the pictures of your son. Destroy anything in her private safe which might ruin another family's life."
Grace understood.
"Happy Holidays, Grace," he escorted her to the front door of his clinic and put her in a car back to her hotel.
November 30
Grace wore comfortable clothes for the Christ The Redeemer tour. She explained her guest was not attending the tour to the tour guide. The tour guide wrote 'credit' on Elena's ticket. Grace called Elena's phone and explained she was at the tour. She wished Elena would return her call and let her know if she would be available to fly home on December second. Grace enjoyed the tour and took once-in-a-lifetime panoramic pictures of Rio de Janeiro.
Grace stopped at the desk and picked up messages for their room. She put two messages for Elena and the tour credit ticket in her travel portfolio. She called Elena to say she was ordering room service and staying in for the rest of the evening. She asked Elena to please call and let her know she was safe. Grace took a cool, refreshing shower and ordered room service. She ate dinner on the balcony and watched the sun set over the ocean. She perused the list of salon/spa services offered by the hotel. Tomorrow morning, she would take a swim and eat breakfast by the pool. Tomorrow afternoon she booked a massage and salon services. She unpacked every article from Elena's luggage and repacked it. Elena did not bring anything untoward with her.
December 1
Ana sat down at the breakfast bar, and suspiciously eyed a wrapped white box with a gold gossamer bow. "What's this?"
"Read the gift tag," Christian sipped his coffee and ate his breakfast.
"Counting down to our first Christmas together…" Ana read the tag before opening the box. Inside was a vintage lapel watch. She admired the painted floral watch front. It would be attached to a jacket or shirt by a gold bow pin. "It's lovely," she attached it to her navy twin set, taking off the gold bead necklace which she put on earlier.
"You're lovely," he kissed her deeply. She tasted apple and pecan waffles, ham, coffee…and restrained desire.
~X~
"Can I adopt you?" A nice-looking man asked Mia. She agreed to attend the grand opening of a luxury pet store and salon with Kate. She and Kate did a lot of things together lately since Ana was so busy with her job and Christian.
"Excuse me?" Mia asked. She wanted to ensure she heard him crudely proposition her.
"I heard getting a pet makes you live longer," the man's eyes barely left Mia's breasts.
"I'm not anyone's pet," Mia sputtered. "Hey…asshole…my eyes are up here, not attached to my nipples."
The man startled, but not from Mia's words, but because Kate tasered him. "Jerk," she snapped. "I have everything I need for my story and I have pictures. We should jet before that guy is coherent."
"What happened to that guy?" One of the pet store staff rushed to him.
"Distraction injury?" Kate suggested. "He was too busy watching my roommate's ass instead of where he was going."
Callahan almost killed himself by holding his breath to prevent dissolving into rounds of hysterical laughter.
December 2
"Mrs. Lincoln didn't return to the hotel with me after the reception on November twenty-ninth. She said she met a man who invited her to a party on his yacht. I must return to the U.S." Grace passed a travel portfolio to them. "Here is her travel portfolio. When Mrs. Lincoln shows up, remind her you have things in the safe for her." Her passport is in there. She'll need it to come home."
Grace paid the hotel bill. The bell captain transported Grace and Elena's luggage to the private car which would take Grace to the private airfield at Rio de Janiero International Airport.
Stephan greeted Grace at the bottom of the stairs to the GEH jet. "Where's Mrs. Lincoln?"
"She met a man," Grace said dismissively; climbing the stairs. "I've been calling her for three days to remind her we were leaving Rio today. We probably won't see her until after the holidays. I hope we're ready to go. I'm ready to see my family."
"Wheels up in fifteen," Stephan said. "We're home in less than 20 hours. We're stopping in Charlotte to refuel. I'll radio ahead when we are inbound. The master suite is made up if you'd like to lay down for a nap."
~X~
Wyatt took Grace to Elena's house. The housekeeper was busy, and directed Grace and Wyatt to drop Elena's luggage in her master suite. "Wyatt, can you talk to the housekeeper and ask her if she's heard from Elena. I apologize, I'll be right down. I need to use the powder room." Grace planned to open that fire safe and remove anything which would cause problems not only for her family; but also for the universe.
"Elena…it's Grace. I'm dropping your luggage at your house. I left your travel information at the hotel in Rio. I understand how exciting it is to meet a man…but I really wish you would return my call. If I don't hear from you by Monday, I'm contacting the American Embassy in Rio."
Once she heard Wyatt go downstairs, Grace pulled on a pair of latex gloves and searched Elena's closet for the fire staff. She was running out of time. Grace left jewelry, two envelopes with law office names on them. She left an obvious will. She stuffed the rest of the paperwork in her travel tote with the latex gloves. She pulled two journals from Elena's private desk in her home office. Two minutes to flush the toilet and wash her hands; Grace reappeared downstairs.
"Is it true Mrs. Lincoln hasn't been in contact with you since Tuesday evening?" The housekeeper fretted.
"She went to a cocktail party with me; met a man; and took off with him. I figure she'll come back home when the champagne runs out." Grace shrugged.
~X~
Grace let Mrs. Rossiter take her luggage to empty it; sending things to the cleaners and to the laundry. She shut herself away in her office with a glass of scotch. She went through Elena's paperwork from her safe. She found an envelope with more envelopes in it. Cameron, Dean, Christian, Harrison and Isaac. She didn't want to see pictures of boys Elena abused…but she had to be sure that was what she retrieved. A peek in each envelope confirmed her suspicions. That bitch treated those teenage boys as sex objects. She fed the contents of the envelope through her diamond cut shredder. Another envelope had polaroids of Elena in bed with various friends. Grace ensured Carrick was not included in any of the pictures. She shredded the polaroids.
Grace shredded the envelope of background checks for Athena, Lily, Kate, Ana and Jessica Jackson. Then she flipped through the journals. Names of girls she introduced to Christian…including Leila Williams who tried to kill Ana. The name of a judge looking for a blonde mistress. Kate's name and Jessica Jackson's names were written beside the judge's information. Fury at Christian meeting Ana. Plan for Isaac to rob Clayton's Hardware and badly hurt or kill Ana. Entries where she fantasized about being with Christian. Grace tore pages out of the journals and shredded them. She put the covers at the bottom of her trash can, and hoped Mrs. Rossiter would not be curious.
Grace drained her scotch and went through the pile of mail on her desk. She filled the trash can with discarded ads, invitations, etc. She emptied her travel tote of notes regarding establishing the transplant center and notes about the transplant surgery she assisted with. She emptied the shredder on top; tied the bag and rang for Mrs. Rossiter. "This needs to be incinerated. I'm going to soak for a while and then take a nap."
~X~
"How was your trip?" Carrick brought a tray of food and drink to their master suite.
"Mostly successful," Grace ate lightly of the dinner Carrick provided. "The transplant center is established. Lucia's heart transplant was successful. The cocktail party was a bit boring, but the center received over half a million in donations."
"Did you talk to Elena?" Carrick broached the difficult subject.
"We were going to talk after the cocktail party; but she met a man and took off." Grace shrugged.
"She what?" Carrick struggled to understand.
"She met a man at the cocktail party, and went to his yacht at sea to party with the beautiful people." Grace shrugged again. "I never heard from her again. I called three or four times a day to tell her what I was doing and when we were departing. She never showed, so I left $2K in her travel portfolio at the hotel. She'll have funds for flying home when it suits her."
Carrick wisely did not bash Elena. He poured more wine for his wife. 'Lord, if I'm asking for too much, I apologize. However, please don't let this Elena and Rio situation bite us in the ass. Amen.'
December 3
Ana found a 7x7x3 white box with a gold gossamer bow. It surprised her. It had to be a collection of watches, because if it just held one…it would be like strapping Big Ben to her wrist. 'Oh, maybe it's his and her watches,' she thought. "Counting down the days to our first Christmas together…"
Ana opened the box to find a desk clock. "It's beautiful," she stroked the floral etched cobalt blue clock surround, with a white, mother-of-pearl and black onyx clock face.
"René Lalique, Art Deco, eight-day movement, signature on the clock base," Christian murmured. "You can put it on your desk at work, or in your home office, or on your bedside table. I had the clockworks cleaned and guarantee they are in excellent working order."
Ana carefully replaced it in the box and crawled into his lap. "I don't dare take it to work," she whispered in his ear. "I won't get anything done."
"Except think of me every minute of the day?" Christian asked, nipping that little hollow under her ear.
"I already do that," Ana whispered. "You are very distracting, Mr. Grey."
"Speaking of which," Christian reached up Ana's robe, snagged his hand around the crotch of Ana's underwear and it was gone instantly. He grinned and stuffed them in his jeans pocket. "Here," he handed her the art deco watch from yesterday, along with a pair of sapphire studs. "You looked a little naked," he winked.
"You spoil me," Ana kissed him. "I just want us to do things together…fun things outside the bedroom!"
"Fair point well made," Christian said. "I have to do a charity dinner and dance tonight. It would mean six hours of fancy food, foofy drinks and feckless dancing. You can wear low heels with one of those gowns in the closet."
"Deal. If you keep me out really late, I won't have to do the Jane Austen Birthday and Holiday Party with Kate tomorrow."
"Sounds like a plan. The tree and decorations are being delivered tomorrow around four. I thank you for letting me call a professional décor company. It's less stressful for us. They wouldn't tell me the color scheme you selected."
Ana smiled and didn't give him a hint…despite his threats to tickle her until she told.