As soon as the FBI and Carrick left, Christian started strategizing about Elena, immediately calling Ros, as well as several members of his legal and accounting teams. I knew he didn't want to leave me, so instead of going into Grey House, he asked them to meet with him here at Escala. The rest of Sunday afternoon Christian was busy with the team in his office. I would have been happy to go to the library and spend my time there, however, Christian wanted me to stay close. Accordingly, I fetched my laptop and set myself up on the sofa in front of the windows in Christian's office. Looking for job openings, I occupied myself customizing cover letters and my resume before scheduling emails for tomorrow morning. I was fairly confident I'd get an offer from Random House and hopefully SIP, too. But until I had a job, I'd continue to apply for positions.

Thinking about SIP, I came to a decision. While I hated the idea of using Christian's influence, if I got an offer at SIP, I was going to ask Christian to make sure that I wouldn't be Jack Hyde's assistant if he also got a position. The guy seriously creeped me out, and if the whole Van Ryn situation had proven nothing, it had shown me I needed to trust my instincts.

Finished with my job applications, I lounged on the sofa, watching Netflix with headphones. I could see Christian's staff glance at me curiously from time to time, however, I ignored them, instead focussing on a drama I'd selected at random and was now interested in. I was getting hungry when Christian finally farewelled his company, coming over to the sofa to suggest dinner.

"Baby? I'm sorry for neglecting you. With what the FBI told us, time is of the essence. First thing tomorrow, my representatives and an independent team are going to the salons to instigate a thorough audit. I need to do this before the FBI charges her to prove she's not just been falsifying her tax records, but she's also stolen from me. I have to get in first, so it's clear I wasn't part of her theft."

"You'll be ok?" I asked, worried now about my man.

"I'll be fine," he assured me. "Worst case, if the FBI moves first, it will mean a long, drawn-out audit where Elena and I are both under suspicion. It is cleaner, and quicker, for all concerned if I instigate the audit. By the time the FBI move on their findings, I'll have enough evidence to bury Elena."

"That sounds like a good thing," I remarked. Anything that harmed that bitch was good, in my opinion.

"It is," Christian confirmed. "As part of the whole investigating Elena thing, it is critical she has no access to me or my family. That includes you, baby."

"I won't let her up again. I promise."

Christian gave me a small smile. "I know you won't. Security is going to be super tight the next week or so. I want you to travel to and from work with me. I'd also like to move you to the executive level until the Elena situation is under control."

"Because me sharing your office with you will help keep things on the down-low," I said, raising my eyebrow at Christian. Not that it mattered, I guess. I mean, people had seen me here today.

"Tempting as it is to have you next to me all the time, I thought you could work in an office near the security office."

"You want someone watching over me all day?" I joked, the laughter dying on my lips when I saw Christian's face. "What do you think she's going to do?" I asked.

"I don't know. That's the problem. She could try to hurt you or expose my former lifestyle. I don't know what Elena is going to try. I just need you protected, baby. That's why I want you somewhere close. I… I love you, Ana. I can't risk anything happening to you."

"You love me?" I knew I was there, but I hadn't been certain he was.

"So, so much," he replied, moving closer to me and cupping my face. "You're clever, beautiful, and kind. How could I not love you?"

With Christian leaning in to kiss me, I wrapped my arms around his neck. Our lips met—sweet and tender, my fingertips stroking the soft curls at his nape. Being in this man's arms felt like home. Waiting until his lips released mine, but staying close, his forehead resting against mine, I opened my eyes to share my truth.

"And how could I not love you? You're everything I've ever dreamed of, rolled into one man. I love you, too, Christian. Not for all this," I explained, gesturing to his office and everything it contained, "but for this." I carefully placed my hand on his chest, directly over Christian's heart.

"Say it again," he crooned, his eyes closing and crinkling in pleasure.

"I love you," I whispered. "I love love love love love you!"

Christian's resulting smile was almost shy. "I'm never going to get sick of hearing that."

"Good. Because I intend on telling you often! Now, how about we eat, and then I think we need to reconnect."

"Again?" Christian commented, looking delighted by the concept.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get over wanting that," I admitted, blushing furiously.

"An egg white omelet, Mr. Grey?" Gail asked as Christian and I emerged from our bedroom into the great room already dressed the next morning.

"Not today, Gail," Christian replied with a grin. "I'm hungry! Any chance of a cooked breakfast?"

"Of course. Poached eggs? Mushroom? Bacon? Tomato? Hash browns?"

"Yes, to all the above. Some spinach and sausages too, if you have them."

Christian was in a cheeky mood, and I knew why. We'd spent half the night making love and if the ache between my legs was anything to go by, we could consider ourselves well and truly reconnected.

"A cooked breakfast for you, too?" Gail asked me a little stiffly. While she had said nothing, Gail had been different with me since I'd allowed Elena into the apartment. Christian may have forgiven me, but his housekeeper was a different story. It probably didn't help that I'd also moved my things into Christian's room. With very little warning, I'd gone from temporary house guest to Christian's live-in girlfriend. It wasn't just the change of rooms, it was the change of status, and I could tell Gail was struggling with how to interact with me.

Before Elena's visit, I'd thought Gail and I were forming a genuine friendship. We'd cooked and eaten together, and I appreciated her almost motherly concern. By letting Elena in, I'd broken her trust, so I needed to put time into rebuilding that.

"Just some bacon and toast, please," trying to tell her through my smile that I was sorry. A brief nod, then a pot of boiling water and a teabag acknowledged my apology, but it would be some time before we were back to where we had been.

While it elated Christian that I'd agreed to officially live with him, we'd yet to have a conversation about what exactly that looked like. I loved when he claimed me as his when we were fucking, yet dominance wasn't something I would tolerate in all areas of my life. Given Christian's non-existent relationship history, it was something we needed to address. We couldn't hash out in front of the staff, so I tabled it for tonight or tomorrow night when we were alone.

"Do you have any interviews this week?" Christian asked.

"Not so far. I have applications scheduled to send this morning, so I may have interviews later in the week."

"You might have an offer from Random or SIP by then," he said, grasping my hand and bringing it to his lips, kissing each fingertip. From the corner of my eye, I saw Gail sporting an approving smile. If she mothered me, she was even worse with Christian.

"I wanted to speak with you about that. I know I asked you not to use your influence, so I'm being completely hypocritical, but if I get a job offer at SIP, there's one potential editor I don't want to work for. He's the editor I'd be administrative support to at Random House, and I saw him again on Thursday at SIP where he was interviewing for an editor. Both times he creeped me out. It was the way he looked at me, and he stood way too close. At Random I'd be supporting his assistant, so hopefully wouldn't have to work too closely with him. If I get an editor's assistant offer from SIP, and he an editorial role, I'd prefer not to work for him if it can be helped."

"Done," Christian replied, rubbing the side of his face against my hand.

"Just like that?"

"Yes. Baby, I won't have you working with anyone you're uncomfortable with. If you get an offer from SIP, you'll never have to work with him. What's his name?"

"Jack Hyde. I'm probably being silly. Just with Van Ryn…"

"Say no more, baby. I promised not to interfere in your career, but if you ask me, it's an entirely different story."

"Ms. Steele? Anastasia Steele?"

At Christian's insistence, I'd kept my cell on today. Mostly because he worried about what might happen with Elena at the salons and wanted to reach me at a moment's notice. He'd also argued I might get a phone call about my most recent job applications. Since I was working alone in a small but lovely spare office just near the security suite on the twentieth floor, I was happy to oblige his wishes.

"This is Ana."

"This is Dorothy Rankin from Seattle Independent Press. You interviewed for a position last Thursday?"

"Yes, that's right. I interviewed for two positions."

I could hear papers rustling as Dorothy turned her papers. "Oh. Yes. So you did. Anyhow, I am ringing to offer you a position as an editorial assistant. I'm afraid your editor has not yet been decided, however…"

For the rest of the conversation, I was jotting down dates, times, and names. Dorothy mentioned because of my relevant education I would start toward the higher end of the advertised pay bracket. More than I'd expected earning as a graduate, I was almost giddy with excitement. While she offered me the opportunity to think it over, I accepted the offer immediately, assuring her I was ready to start at SIP's convenience. The moment the call ended, I bolted out the office door headed toward Christian.

"Is he free?"

"He is for you—go right in," Andrea said before turning back to the tall, handsome African-American man who she appeared to be talking through the elaborate hierarchy of who and how to book Christian's diary. Andrea's new assistant, I hoped this one wasn't of the eye-lash batting variety.

I opened Christian's door and launched myself into his office before pulling up short. He sat at the head of his new conference table. Sitting alongside him was Ros, and at least a dozen other people. I stammered out an apology when Christian held up a hand to stop me.

"Ros, take over," he ordered before standing sinuously and walking toward me. Here, at Grey House, Christian was in his element. Strong—dominant—he exuded power. A place where his word was law, it was a different side to Christian, and his take no prisoners approach was sexy as hell. Taking me by my elbow, he steered me out of his office and toward a small conference room near the entry to his office. Not bothering to flick on the lights, he had the door closed, me pushed against it in seconds.

"You look so good," he moaned, pinning me against the door with his body. Clad in a suit with the tie I'd picked out for him this morning, he looked like sex on legs. "Thank you for interrupting my meeting, baby. It was so boring." Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, and he was pushing the bulge in his pants against me. "I want you so badly," he growled.

"Down tiger," I said with a sigh. I would not let him take me in a conference room while a bunch of people were waiting for him next door! Besides, my downtown was off-limits until at least this evening. As much as I hated to admit it, it was possible to have too much of a good thing. "I came to tell you I've had a job offer! An editorial assistant at SIP."

Almost immediately, his demeanor changed. Gone was the master of his universe, replaced by a supportive and encouraging boyfriend, although he still had me pinned against the door, nuzzling my neck.

"That's wonderful, baby. I'm proud of you. Do you know who you'll be working with yet?"

"Not yet. I think they're still hiring new editors. I won't start for two weeks."

"Yes. Ros said they're going to bring the new hires in under Grey Publishing. Most people have to give at least two weeks' notice, and it saves doing one set of paperwork for SIP, only to redo it a week or two later for GP." Christian was speaking close to my ear, kissing my neck. Almost enough to reverse my earlier decision, a knock at the door interrupted us. Christian pulled back, adjusting himself before checking I looked ok.

"Yes?" he said, opening the door to Andrea.

"My Grey? I have the team at Esclava Salons for you on line two."

Christian nodded, shutting the door and sitting, patting his lap for me to join him. I should be back in my temporary office editing, however since I knew this was a big thing for Christian, I sat across his lap, my fingers playing with the hair at his nape.

"Grey," he barked as he connected the call to speaker.

"Good morning, Sir. We've attended each salon, and the independent auditors have cloned the computers, including the ones in Mrs. Lincoln's offices. That means even if she deletes or changes anything, we have an original copy to compare it to. Mrs. Lincoln arrived at the primary salon some fifteen minutes ago and had her laptop with her. Since she purchased it through the salons, it is salon property and can be audited. I'm cloning that also, now."

"Excellent," Christian commented as he twirled the hair of my ponytail around his fingers. It was Barney he was speaking with. I could tell by his voice. "How is Mrs. Lincoln handling things?"

"She's as mad as a cut snake," Barney said. "We've seen her try to call you at least half a dozen times, on your cell and at Grey House. She's also attempted to call your parents. Both of them."

In the background, we could hear a shrill female voice demanding none of her records could be touched without her lawyer present. The voice became louder and more shrill. "Is that him? You tell that ungrateful asshole to get himself down here. I don't know what's going on, but if he thinks he can do this to me, he has another thing coming!"

"Sorry, boss. Gotta go."

The line went dead.

"Well, now she knows," I said with a shrug.

"I guess she does," Christian replied.

"Are you ok?"

"I am. This needs to happen. I'll get a lot of satisfaction seeing her charged with fraud and tax evasion. She might never pay for the other stuff. But this way she pays for something."

"I love you. I'm proud of you!"

"I feel the same way about you. Now, sadly, I have an office full of people waiting for me…"

"And I have editing to do," I groaned, enjoying a moment of peace sitting on my man's lap.

"Mrs. Jones has packed us BLTs for lunch. Come see me at 1:00?"

"You got it," I promised, standing from Christian's lap and smoothing out my skirt.

"You look so beautiful," Christian said, standing and pulling me tight against him once more. I let him kiss me once before I pushed him away.

"GO! You have a meeting. People are waiting!"

"Sometimes being the boss sucks," he grumbled, a petulant pout on his beautiful lips.

If we'd hoped for a quiet night at home, we were sorely disappointed. Carrick and Grace dropped by to tell Christian that Elena had attempted to contact them several times throughout the day. Since they arrived before dinner, Christian invited them to join us. We were only minutes from eating when Elliot showed up—ostensibly to update Christian on the SIP/Grey Publishing renovations, he was unsurprised to see his parents there.

"Lazy fucker probably rang Bellevue and found out our parents weren't home," Christian grumbled into my ear with his arms wrapped around my waist. "He's there every second night for a feed."

"If I'd known he was coming, I would have made chocolate cake," I replied.

"Nope. Your chocolate cakes all belong to me, now. El can find his own woman if he wants chocolate cake!"

I giggled, mostly at the resolute expression on Christian's face. My man meant business. I marveled as Gail rose to the occasion, effortlessly stretching a simple dinner for two into an impromptu meal for five. Starting with a soup course she'd whipped out of the freezer, the addition of fresh heated rolls, a large salad, sides, plus a generous cheese board for dessert meant everyone was replete.

"Have you heard anything, son?" Carrick asked Christian once we settled in the great room after dinner.

"She was screaming in the background when I spoke to Barney. She said if I thought I could do that to her, I had another thing coming."

"Do you have any inkling of what she has planned?" Grace asked Christian. Like me, she'd spent most of the evening listening. As per last time we'd met, she looked tired and drawn.

"None. It could well be bluster. It's hard to know."

"I could call her and see what she says," Grace suggested. "I've not spoken to her since the gala. How about I dial her, see what she has to say, and set up a lunch in a week or two? She'll already be suspicious I have not answered her calls. Grandma and Grandpa want to head to Montana next week. Your father and I intend to go with them. It's the perfect excuse not to meet sooner."

Carrick, Elliot, and Christian debated the merits of a call. Grace had a point. Radio silence, at this stage, would only panic Elena further. After twenty minutes explaining to Grace about my meeting with Elena, and promising her anything she said would not offend me, Grace dialed Elena's cell.

"Finally!" Elena said when the call connected. "It's been weeks! I thought you were avoiding me!" Mrs. Lincoln scolded, clearly having enjoyed more than one or two drinks.

"Elena," Grace said, sounding positive and interested. "I'm sorry I missed your calls. I was in a training session today about measles. There's been another outbreak. It beggars belief that people are still scared to vaccinate thanks to that crazy article in the Lancet years ago, but there you go. You sounded upset in your messages? What's going on?"

"Your son is what's going on! He's auditing the salons! I mean, can you believe it? He's known me almost since you adopted him. We've always had such a close relationship, yet now this?"

"I wouldn't be alarmed," Grace soothed, her voice sounding entirely sincere. "In the past, he's done the same at Coping Together, and with Carrick's firm. His accountants do a quick look through the books from time to time with any contract. It's some sort of legislative requirement. Cary tried to explain it to me, but I never understood it. They come in, and it's all buzz for a morning, then we never hear from them again."

"Oh. Well, I wish he'd told me that. I got a horrible fright when so many people were at the salon this morning." Elena sounded at least partially appeased. "Still—Christian's refusing to take my calls… I dropped by Escala on Saturday, and you won't believe what I found…"

"Let me guess? Ana staying in his home? Oh, Elena! It's shameful! She's been a friend of the family since forever. My parents know her grandparents from Montana. The children played together whenever we visited. When they mentioned she was moving to Seattle, Christian kindly offered her a place to stay at Escala. Well now, she's trying to ingratiate her way into his life! She's implied they're together and a couple. Christian is horrified. He told me in no uncertain terms she wasn't the sort of partner he wanted, and he thinks of her only as an old friend. He mentioned he'd shared confidences with her he's now worried she'll share. You know Cary and I aren't homophobic, yet perhaps this is the impetus he needs to finally tell us…?"

I sat nestled under Christian's arm as we listened to Grace's conversation with Elena. In less than ten minutes, Grace had convinced Elena she was still part of the family.

"Make sure he gets the gold digger to sign a non-disclosure agreement," Elena counseled, sounding more confident. "Christian is very private. I can't imagine he'd like anything about his lifestyle made public."

"I think that's wise," Grace agreed, sounding solemn yet rolling her eyes as we watched her performance. "Cary and I are off to Montana with my parents to sort the issue. I'm hoping to convince Christian to come along, too. I'm not expecting to be back for at least a week, but as soon as I am we'll lunch. It's been too long."

We were sitting back on the sofas with drinks when Taylor appeared. He'd been absent since he'd dropped Christian and me back home.

"Mr. Grey? A minute?"

"What is it, Taylor?" Christian grumbled.

"There is someone downstairs seeking admittance. Ms. Susannah Milford?"