APOV

The light flittered through the room, as I started to wake up from my dream fog. Christian's body was wrapped around me with my head tucked under his chin. It felt amazing to feel his warmth. I couldn't help the smile that crept on my face.

It's Saturday and that meant tomorrow's my birthday, another year older, hopefully, another year wiser. Our fucked up fight last night was emotionally draining. The funny thing about the entire thing was that we didn't even fight each other, just ourselves.

I ran my finger lightly on his bicep; Christian is such a beautiful man. His bullet wound was healing well, but now his hands were a work of art. Swollen, battered, bruised, and cut. I don't know how he can still touch me so softly, I mused. I started to flip my body to face him and began peppering his face with soft kisses.

"Good morning," he moaned, not even pretending to open his eyes.

"Good morning," I sighed contently in his arms, "we should get up, it's almost nine. We have to get groceries and a few things for me."

"Like what," he murmurs, pulling me into his chest.

"A laptop, phone, some actual clothes, you know… personal things."

"I have ordered a phone for you, it's a private number with all the contacts you need in the phone book. It's untraceable and completely secure," he mumbles but turns away from me to grabs something from the bedside table.

"Here, I meant to give this to you earlier," he hands me a phone. "My number is number one and the second is for immediate emergencies, only use this phone during emergencies so I will know how dire it is, but we will still get you an iPhone for regular calls and whatnot. Also, Ros is delivering clothes for you this afternoon," he continued a little too smugly, so I bit his bottom lip. That shut him up; he flipped me over, so I was on my back.

"You're going to pay for that," he growls. He nips my chin, giving me little bites all over my exposed skin. "Before I forget, I was wondering if you're interested in some formal training?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed.

"I want you to be the best equipped," he kisses me deeply, then lets me go and walks away to his closet. "Here."

He hands me a metal case, "What is it?"

"Open it," he gives me a cheeky smile, "it's my early birthday present."

I give him a quizzical look, but take the box from him, nonetheless. The case was a bit heavy; the anticipation was getting to me, so I placed it in between us as we both sat on the couch in his room. I unlatch it and find the most beautiful gun I had ever seen nestled with two magazines. It is customized; my initials were engraved with cornflower blue sapphires and diamonds on the grip; it was beautiful.

"Christian, this is amazing," I said mesmerized.

"I figured you wouldn't be interested in diamond bracelets or necklaces, so I decided on something practical," he laughs, "I guess I was right."

"You were," I lunge at him, giving him wet kisses. It's true; I'm not big on diamonds and jewellery in general. I only wore diamond studs because I never really needed to take them off, but bracelets and necklaces are not my thing. It's like having long nails, everything is just a bit harder to do.

"Good," he laughs, "it's a Sig P238, magazine capacity is seven rounds, and has a .380 calibre. It's a good starter gun-"

"A girl's gun," I waggle my eyebrow at him.

"Sort of like that," he chuckles, kissing my neck, "the sapphire is for your birth month and the diamonds are just because."

I giggle, "Awe aren't you romantic."

I think the two of us fit perfectly together; he understands I don't need the hoopla. "I want to thank you," I say huskily, climbing down from his lap and kneeling in between his legs. I bit my bottom lip as I ran my hands up his strong thighs; just thinking about how hard he makes me start to drip. I clench my thighs for some much-needed friction.

He groans and pulls my head up, which shows me his darkened eyes, "Do you know how much I fucking want you."

"I think I do," I smile slyly at him as I palm his cock, "baby, I want to taste you."

He growls and quickly pulls me up with him, "I'm going to fuck your mouth, baby. I'll be so deep down your throat my balls are going to be right on your face."

I squeal as he throws me onto the bed, and then roughly rip his shirt off me; he quickly takes his boxer briefs off and lets his cock jump out. What a sight that is, I instinctively licked my lips.

"I want your neck on the edge of the bed," he instructs roughly, as he forces me on my back. His roughness only served to make me wetter, my panties were soaked as my slickness flowed down my thighs. He pulls me so my head was dangling off the bed; I grabbed his very hard cock and began jacking him off. He then aligns himself with my mouth and slides his tip-in, then suddenly slams into me. He began thrusting and swivelling his hips in my mouth, he growled as his cock hit the back of my throat. He then bends over and rips my panties off of me, fucking hell…

He buries his face in my pussy and begins to lick my slit.

"Baby, you're so fucking wet," he growls as he laps at all my juices.

He continues to thrust, and as promised his balls were slapping my face and the sound made me gush. His tongue was on my clit, two fingers thrusting in my pussy and his pinkie was playing with my ass.

I started playing with his balls and running my other hand on his stomach and chest. I could feel his balls tense and began thrusting more erratically, and his tongue and fingers worked me harder.

"Fucking come for me Ana," he groans, "I want to drink your fucking juices, baby."

I groan and hum on his cock, meeting him thrust for thrust. Soon we were both coming violently, his cum spilled down my throat and all over my chin. He sucked all my juices that had squirted all over my thighs, and then he fell limp on top of me.

"You are the most amazing woman I have ever known," he sighed on my thigh.

He slipped his softening cock from my mouth and lay next to me. He pulled me towards him and had me lay on his chest. I ran my hand all over his slick skin and began travelling down his stomach; I rubbed my finger over the skin in between his belly button and treasure trail, his cock twitched. I smiled to myself and began flicking his nipples with my tongue.

"I think I'm ready to have sex," I said softly, looking him straight in his eyes.

"Baby, you have no idea how happy and excited that makes me, but we can't right now," he smiled.

"Why?" I looked at him curiously.

"I want it to be special," he explains, "I intend it to be completely memorable and to claim you as mine. I want to be your first and your last."

"I want you to be my only," I whisper, but then grumble, "I can't believe you're making me wait."

He laughs, "Baby, we only have an hour before we have to leave, and I intend to worship your body when I take you."

"Oh, you are such a sweet talker," I laugh, but pull him up to take a shower.

xx

We had already been Apple to get a new MacBook and an iPhone for me. Even though his guards were tailing us the last couple of hours seemed rather normal. We laughed and conversed like a normal couple, but the only thing that put a damper to our day was a phone call that he received earlier. I think it was Ethan or someone from his crew, his mood changed momentarily, but he regained it quickly. Though I knew that it lingered he tried his hardest not to show it.

"Want to grab something to drink before we head home?" Christian asks in my ear.

"Yes," I smiled.

We found a small café on the corner of Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side. We grab a small booth in the middle of the restaurant, part of our security detail was inside in the surrounding booths and the others were waiting out on the street. I can't believe it took all of these men to just take us out for the day.

"What can I get for you?" the tall gangly server asked us.

"I'll take an Americano," Christian answers.

"I'll have an Earl Grey, weak, thank you," I answer.

Our order arrived shortly, but right before Christian could even take his first sip he gets a phone call.

"Shit, sorry baby, I have to take it," Christian apologized profusely.

"It's okay, go," I smiled at him as I took my first sip. He kisses my cheek before he gets up from his seat; he nods to the men at the other tables and quickly walks away. I scan the room, only two other people were sitting inside the café.

The little bell dinged signalling a customer had just come in, a red-headed man walked casually to the bar. He orders at the counter and sits at the table right across from mine, he smiles at me sweetly and returns to his drink. His presence was giving me a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, but I tried to shake it off. Maybe, I'm being paranoid.

After a few minutes, he stands up and looks around, he walks past me and heads to the bathrooms in the back. I don't know why I was holding my breath, but when he finally passed me by I felt a weight being lifted. There was something off with him, I don't know why, but I took my sig out and cocked it. Just in case.

When he entered the main room, I could feel his eyes boring into me and with one fluid movement, he was in Christian's seat smiling at me. Before the men could come to my aid the man had his gun cocked at my head.

"Hello, Anastasia, don't move or I will pull the trigger," he smiled but looked at the guards. "My name is Niall; I've been sent to you as a warning. You can choose to come with me now or I could put a bullet through your head and blow up this entire place."

I keep my body loose, acting like this shit happened every day. I plaster a smile on my face.

He chuckles, "Danny sent me, he sends his regards by the way. He ordered me to tell you that you've had your fun and it's time for you to come back home. If you do so without any trouble, they will spare Christian's life and all of the Gambinos'."

"And if I don't?" I asked, trying to act nonchalant.

"Then I will kill all of you."

"See I don't believe that, if I was so unimportant that you would kill me so easily without so much a thought you wouldn't bother coming here and putting up this stupid show," I laughed, trying to hide my nervousness. "You can't kill me; Danny would have your head."

My anxiety was through the roof, I don't know how long I could keep my cool or I'll end up showing my cards. My legs began to shake, and my pulse quickened.

"I'm right, if you kill me you know that you won't live to see tomorrow," I brought up my sig to his face, so we had our guns aimed at each other. "Drop it."

He laughs, "Not going to happen, Annie."

"I think the ball's in my court, you need me, but they don't need you." I could hear yelling coming from outside, Christian's voice rising an octave. The men around me weren't moving, afraid of what might happen if they do.

"What if I decide to come with you?" I said, quickly forming a plan.

"Then we'll walk out together," he answers.

"Alright," I nod, "but no one gets hurt."

In a rush of movement, Christian was immediately at Niall's side and before there was another intake of breath he had two bullets in his head.

I see the man slumped in the booth completely lifeless. Christian quickly grabs hold of me and pulls me into him tightly, almost painfully. Wordlessly, he walks me through the back and into an awaiting town car.

"What were you thinking!" he yells.

"How the fuck can you get mad at me?"

"I could see you move to go with," he seethes.

"Really?" I quip, "I'm pretty sure that if I had waited I would be back with Danny," I spat back.

"You put your life in danger," he yelled back.

"Fuck you," I said annoyed, "you left, he came, this was no one's fault."

He sat on the other side brooding, fine with me. I didn't want to talk to him either. I crossed my arms and turned away from him to face the window.

"You're impossible," I huff.

"What was that," he says icily.

"Nothing," I mutter. After a very tense few minutes, I could feel the seat dip next to me and an arm wrap around me.

"I'm sorry, I was just worried and angry," he nuzzles my ear.

"You can't get angry with me for doing what I had to do."

"I just never wanted you to have to deal with that," he sighs.

"I know baby, but don't take it out on me."

"Fuck I know, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you," he whispers into my ear.

"It's okay, baby," he kisses me lightly on my lips.

xx

We went home in silence and Christian had to depart from a slew of meetings, and by the time he was able to unwind, we had to ready for dinner at his parents'.

"I want to give you something that will complete your outfit," Christian says from behind me as he straightens his ties. I picked a deep red dress that Roz dropped off.

"Christian, stop buying me things," I furrowed my eyebrows at him through the mirror.

"Nope, you deserve the world," he smirks.

The large red box read Cartier and I knew immediately that this was too much, but before I could protest he had the box opened. Nestled in the black velvet was a pair of earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet.

"It's part of their Trinity Collection, they're all three-gold, pink for love, yellow for fidelity, and white for friendship," he explained as he fastened the necklace around my neck. "This one is 18k pink gold chain, 73 freshwater pearls, and 4 3 gold-fully diamond-paved motifs," my mouth dropped open, this alone must have cost 50 grand.

"Christian, you have to take it back," I pleaded with him.

"No," he says sternly, "I wish to shower you with diamonds."

"I thought that the sig was my present," I huffed.

"It was only part," he smiled mischievously.

"No, Christian, you have to give it back… I wouldn't have anywhere else to wear it to, please?"

"Since you asked so nicely…." He smiled, "but then again I think I misplaced my receipt." I cock an eyebrow at him as he continued to explain the jewellery to me. It was all too much and honestly something I couldn't see myself wearing.

"These are so beautiful, thank you, Christian," I smile at him, finally conceding. I kissed his cheek and he returns it with a kiss on my temple.

"Beautiful things for the most beautiful woman in the world," he says almost blushing.

Wow, this man is much too sweet, "You're spoiling me."

"Nothing less than what you deserve," he stood me up and kissed my lips dead on, leaving his stained by my red lipstick. "God, you're fucking beautiful."

"Christian, let's not start we're already running late," I pulled him away from me, grabbing his hands and dragging him towards the door.

"We have time," he whines.

"No, we don't, your mom expects us to arrive in ten minutes and we aren't even in the car yet!"

He groans playfully and wraps his arm around my waist, then leading us out of the bedroom. Two men from Christian's security team were waiting for us at the elevator, I rub his lips to wipe off the lipstick, but he only nipped my fingers making me giggle.

"Oh, shit I almost forget my clutch," I exclaimed and ran towards the room. Quickly finding my black satin clutch on the bed, I noticed that it was heavier than it was before. I opened it up and found my gun tucked inside, with a black American Express card that had my name with Christian's surname. Anastasia Grey. Holy shit, positive thinking?

"Christian, did you do this?" I asked as ran back to him.

"Yeah, I hope you don't mind," he looks at me sheepishly.

"The gun no, but the card," I quirk my eyebrow at him.

"I just thought you would need something with your name on it that wasn't linked to your family. I could change it back," he said quickly backtracking.

We got into Christian's black Jaguar F-Style convertible. Yes, it was sexy, but I became a bit weary of the fact that it didn't seem very safe… considering our circumstance.

"Don't worry its, six-speed manual transmission, heavy-duty suspension, flat tires, and bulletproof body panels and windows," he says as he opens the door for us, "I would never let you ride in something that couldn't protect you completely."

"Never doubted you for a second."

We drove fast through the busy streets of New York, swerving and dodging the oncoming traffic. He drove like a maniac. And what seemed like only a few minutes we were parking at his parents' home.

"I think we have to have a little fun in this soon," I lasciviously smile at him.

"Great minds think alike," he says as tucks me under him.

"Ana! Christian!" Grace greets us warmly the moment we step through the door.

"Hello," we both greet her, returning her hugs.

"Christian," Carrick says coldly as he enters the room, "Ana." He takes a look at both of us and notices our hands; I tuck mine behind Christian's. "Son, I need to speak with you."

Christian nods curtly, turns to me and whispers, "Baby, are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll just go help your mom," I smile at him reassuringly.

We both detach ourselves and go our separate ways, "How are you, Grace?" I asked as I walked with her into the kitchen.

"I'm doing well," she smiles, "how are you and Christian?"

"We're good," I smiled at her, but she looked at me a little concerned.

"Are you sure?" she looks at me and then down to my hand. I quickly snatch it away and smile at her reassuringly.

Fuck. I don't know how to explain this.

"Honey, Christian called last night, and he seemed rather distraught."

"It was just a misunderstanding," I replied.

"Ana, I saw his hands too, what happened?"

"Nothing, it was all just a misunderstanding," I repeated, "and this," I raised my hand. "Was an accident, I knocked down a lamp last night because I was having a very vivid nightmare."

She looks at me a little worried, but nods.

"Christian would never hurt me, you know that right?" She stayed quiet for a moment, which only worried me more, "What's wrong?"

She looks pensive for a moment, "Christian has been known to blackout, loses all control when he gets really angry," she says quietly. "He hadn't had an episode for a couple of years actually, but I can recall it beginning about seven years ago…"

Around the same time we met? I look at her and somehow we instantaneously follow the same path. Me.

"When exactly?" I asked.

"The summer after you two met as I recall, Christian had just finished with a deal in Mexico when he became so unbelievably angry. It took ten men to subdue him and after the episode, he couldn't remember what had happened, then there was another time a few years later he lost control at a warehouse after receiving a phone call. Elliot had to knock him out, and yet Christian still refuses to get some help…"

The fall after Christian and I met I had my first boyfriend, then when I was eighteen I was hospitalized for two weeks because of a drunk driver… these all fit the pattern. And last night, Christian freaked out because he thought of me with another man.

Grace poured me a glass of champagne as we both sat at the kitchen bar; I run my hands into my hair. I do this to him. I unintentionally push him this far… As my thoughts flowed through my chest felt heavy and full of anxiety.

"Why did you say that I was good for him?"

"You are," she insisted, "you make him happy, that's clear. And I think together with you two will-"

"Ma, Tiny!" Elliot says as she interrupts our conversation.

"Hey, Elliot," I smile at him, glad for the comedic relief, "Tiny?"

"It's 'cus your tiny," he answers me in a duh tone which makes me laugh.

"Hello dear, your brother and father are in the study," she told him while Kate came from behind him, "oh hello Kate."

"Hi Grace," she smiles weakly, "Hi, Ana."

"Hello, Kate," I said as I hugged her.

"How are you?" she asks me.

"I'm really good," I answer honestly.

"I'll take this as my cue to leave," Elliot nods as he exits the room.

"This is the first time I've left the house since getting back," Kate whined, I roll my eyes when we turn around and walk back to the kitchen bar. Grace pours Kate a glass and sits between us.

"It's sort of crucial to stay safe, right?" I said quietly.

"You've been out," Kate deadpans.

"Yeah, but it was a mistake," I confessed, shrugging.

"Oh yes dear, are you okay?" Grace coos.

"Yes, I'm fine," I smile at her reassuringly, "it wasn't so bad."

Grace doesn't seem too pleased that all Kate could talk about was being unable to leave Elliot's.

"Mia is coming home next weekend," Grace exclaims happily, successfully changing the subject, "I haven't seen her since before summer, she's been so busy."

"She's at the Cordon Bleu?" I asked.

"Yes, she is such an amazing cook and baker," she sounds so proud, which only made me beam. Despite the crazy life she leads such a normal family life, I envied her. A loving marriage and family, she acts much more like a mother to me than mine ever did.

"I think she wants to open up a bistro when she finishes."

"Oh, that would be nice," I smiled.

"What a sight," Carrick interrupted us; we instantaneously turned around and saw our men all smiles. I saw Christian on the far right; he gives me a look that tells me that everything is all right. I grin at him and get up from my seat.

"We'll start dinner now, Claire," Grace says to her chef, she nods and returns to her task. "Let's sit at the table."

We all sat at the dinner table, Carrick at the head, Grace to his right with Elliot and Kate next to her, and Christian and I sat to his left. Christian rubs my thigh and nuzzles my hair; I snuggle a bit closer to him and kiss his cheek.

"Oh, no weapons at the table," Grace exclaims, Elliot and Christian both groans, "everything."

"Fine," both men stand up and start taking out their weapons in various places. I try to stifle a laugh at the amount that they had on them, Christian and two guns in holsters under his jacket… which I didn't even feel. One on his leg and a few knives squared away in random places.

"Holy," I whisper.

"Aren't you forgetting yours?" Christian waggles his eyebrow at me.

"Me?" I asked, and then he motions to my clutch. "Mine," I laugh. I grab my clutch from behind my chair and open it up, then take my gun out.

"What a beautiful piece," Grace says excitedly when I place it in the box with the others.

"Thank you, it was a present from Christian," I smile happily; I wrap my arm around his neck and kiss it. "You're perfect," I whisper into his ear. He smiles at me and slinks his arm around my waist.

Claire walks in and we all settle in our seat, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, for dinner tonight will start with a vegetarian antipasto and an Antipasto Italiano. The second course is Fusilli with Mussels and prawns in a cream sauce and Conchiglie pasta with spicy sausage. The third course is a locally sourced Pork tenderloin with a Dolcelatte sauce and roasted baby potatoes, and Pan-fried Halibut filet wrapped in prosciutto," she explains. "For dessert, there is Lemon tart, Tiramisu, and Vanilla pannacotta with red berry pudding. Followed with coffee and biscotti."

Holy shit! That is a lot of food; Italians know how to eat. I got so excited when the bread and olive oil was served with our antipasti; everything was amazing.

Dinner went by with a comfortable flow of conversation until it steered to my birthday. Christian tensed when Grace started talking about a trip; Christian cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes.

"Mom," he warned.

"Sorry, darling," she blushes, I turn to Christian and give him a puzzled look.

"What does she mean?" I asked.

He sighs deeply; "We're going away for a few days for your birthday."

"Where?" I asked excitedly.

"Nope," he grinned, I playfully scowl and let it go. I know if he sets his mind to it, he won't back down.

An hour or so later Christian and I said our goodbyes so we could catch our flight. He chartered his friend's jet which will take us to Vancouver, where we will catch Christian's plane to take us to our actual destination. It was a safety issue.

"Can I drive?" I smile at him sweetly, "Since you won't tell me where we're going."

"No," he says dismissively.

"Please? It's a short drive," I pled, running my hand over the lapels of his jacket, "I'll make it worthwhile when we get on the plane."

He groans, "Alright, but don't make me regret it."

"Thank you!" I said giddily and get in. I was practically jumping in the seat, "Let's go, baby!"

He laughs, "Alright."

We exited their garage and drove away slowly; we were being tailed by his security, which made my nerves light up. Then after a few minutes of leisurely driving, Christian's phone rang.

"Grey," he barks.

"Sir, we have reason to believe a black sedan has been following you."

"Well, what are you going to do about it?" he said annoyed.

"They had an advantage and somehow got in between us."

"Are you fucking kidding?" he barks, his anger apparent on his face. "Try to take them out, we'll drive to the highway where there's less traffic, don't give away that we know that we're being followed."

"Yes, si-" the man began, but Christian had already hung up on him, he runs his hand through his hair and slowly breathes through his nose

"Baby, did you get that?" he asks.

"Yes," I nod.

"Head to on the highway and you gun it, do you understand?"

"Yes," I nod again.

"But for now, drive the same."

"Okay," I mumbled, concentrating on the task at hand.

Once we got onto the highway, I accelerated and notice a black sedan speeding our way. The security detail in the black SUV was behind us trying to get between the car and us, but suddenly another car from our left swerved into our lane and cut us off. We were sandwiched between the two cars. The car in front started to slow down and the one behind us sped up and bumped into us.

"Ana, control the wheel," Christian said his voice calm, "stay focus, you're doing amazing, baby."

I nod at him in a sort of trance, he rolls his window down and aimed his gun at the car in front of us, and he shot the two right tires easily. The car swerved crashing into the side of the road. We were moving so fast that we didn't have enough time to see the remains, we were pushing 100 and I was surprised that no police came rushing us. Though since my adrenaline is spiking I couldn't pay any mind to the other things happening around us.

We were moving fast through the relatively crowded highway, taking erratic turns I had us weaving around the other cars. The exit was coming our way and at that moment we heard the screeching of tires and a large crash behind us, I snuck a look through the rear-view mirror and saw the first McLaren flipped over onto the other side of the highway, cars were all screeching to a stop due to the blockage on their lane.

Finally, able to breathe again, I relaxed in my seat and drove to the exit.

"Fuck baby, you are amazing," he kisses my temple, "remind me to buy you a car."

"Christian-"

"Just kidding," he smirks, pretty sure he was lying. Our eyes connect and all could see was love and pride, I give him a large smile and pat his leg.

"See baby, I was born for this," I said playfully, but a phone ringing interrupted our moment.

"Grey," Christian barks.

"The two cars have been disabled," one of the security details informed us.

"We're aware," he replies a bit annoyed, then hangs up.

"Christian," I warn, "don't be so grumpy."

"Can you blame me? Their job is to protect you."

"And they did," I grab hold of his hand, "but shit happens, I think we all handled it pretty well."

"That you did," he replies as he rubs my hand. He added coordinates to the GPS, "come on we have to get to this airstrip in twenty.

"I still want to know where we're going."

"It's for me to know and you to find out," he smirks at me.