"Show her up to the security suite. Use the staff elevator." The staff elevator opened into the hallway leading to Gail and Taylor's apartment. Using that, Taylor could get Ms. Milford in and out unobserved.

I hadn't seen Susannah in a long time. My best sub, she'd ended our contract when she left town to take a new job. After Susannah, no other sub seemed to measure up. It wasn't that I had feelings for her, or her for me—in fact, it was quite the reverse. Not long out of a relationship that had ended badly, when I contracted Susannah she had been as disinterested in a relationship as I was. When it became clear that she would not become another sub confessing their love for me, it paved the way for a friendship, of sorts. Sometimes, during aftercare, we'd talk about articles from the business pages of the newspaper or trending stocks. Any other sub attempting to visit me at home once our contract ended, I'd have Taylor on them in an instant, booting them to the curb and reminding them of their NDA, yet I couldn't imagine Susannah visiting me without good reason.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said to my parents, Elliot, and Ana, rising from the sofa and heading to the security suite.

"Christian?" Ana said a moment later. She'd followed me to the security room. I really didn't want her coming face to face with a woman I'd slept with—especially since I was unsure why Susannah was here.

"Baby, please return to the great room and sit with Elliot and my parents. I won't be long, I promise."

"Ok. But why is she here?" Ana asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Susannah Milford is from HR at Random House. She's the one who interviewed me for the assistant to an assistant position. Why would she be here?"

Well, fuck me. This was going to go down like a lead balloon.

"I don't know why she is here, and please don't get upset… A long time ago, Susannah was my submissive."

Ana's eyes were as round as saucers as she said, "Oh, I see." Then she turned on her heel and walked out of the security suite, presumably to re-join my family. Fuck! I was going to follow her when I heard the soft ping indicating the staff elevator had arrived. Seconds later, Taylor escorted Susannah in. Her hair was shorter, but otherwise, she hadn't changed a bit. It was a little surreal seeing her again. I wondered whether I would feel something—a pull or some sort of attraction. But I didn't. I regarded her in much the same I would any business associate I'd not seen in a while.

"Mr. Grey? I'm sorry to have to reach out to you. I understand the terms of our contract dictated you wanted no contact once our agreement ceased, however, there are a few things I need to tell you."

"Not a problem, Ms. Milford. Please take a seat."

Taylor remained standing near the door, making it patently clear he wasn't going anywhere. Not that I would have met with her alone in any case.

"First, I'm moving back to Seattle. I've accepted a position in HR at Random House. It is in that capacity I met a… friend of yours. Anastasia Steele?"

I didn't give her any reaction, so she continued.

"At first, I didn't realize she was associated with you, however after her interview, I saw her getting into a black Audi driven by one of your security team. A few days later, I visited Elena Lincoln. I've been out of the scene here for so long, I wanted to see who might be looking for a sub. She suggested since we ended on amicable terms, she could arrange a reintroduction between us, which is when I told her why I thought you were unavailable."

"I am. Unavailable," I said sternly.

Susannah nodded. "Then I'm sorry for putting Ms. Steele on her radar. Elena seemed furious that you might have met someone independently from her. Personally, I suspect she's more disappointed she missed an introduction fee."

At that, I smiled. Susannah had always been quite forthright when it came to Elena. Seeing her as well-connected in the scene, and as such a necessary evil, she was unfailingly polite to her, but she'd never liked her.

"Anyway, it's my fault, so I felt I needed to let you know Elena has Ms. Steele in her sights."

"Thank you. Is there anything else?"

"There is. I know you always look after what's yours, so you should know tomorrow I will email Ms. Steele an offer of employment at Random House. She was by far the best applicant, and the editor she'll be helping assist was adamant he wanted her for the role. If she accepts, please warn her to be careful around him. I haven't been able to find anything in his file, but the women who work with him never stay long. Finally, you have my word Ms. Steele will never hear about our previous association from me."

I sat considering Susannah's words. She'd always been straight with me, including informing me halfway through our fourth contract that she was applying for jobs, some of which were out of state which would necessarily result in the end of our contract. While it was possible Susannah was here on a fact-finding mission, when I played the angles through my mind, the most logical conclusion was that she was here as a friend. Her actions supported that notion.

"I appreciate the information," I said, meaning every word.

"So, don't suppose you know of any decent Doms looking for a sub, do you?" she joked, relaxing now she'd said what she'd come to say.

"I'm afraid not. The truth is, I haven't been active in the scene for over a year, now."

"Then Ms. Steele…?" she asked, looking perplexed.

I shrugged, with an embarrassed yet proud smile on my face. "I'm trying something new. A girlfriend. My first."

At that Susannah grinned, and I could see in her eyes she was pleased for me. "That's wonderful to hear. You deserve to experience that. She seems lovely and very smart. I wish you both every happiness."

"Thank you. And thanks for coming. Now if you'll excuse me, my girl is waiting for me."

Taylor escorted Susannah back to Escala's foyer, while I returned to the great room. I was relieved to see El, Mom, Dad, and Ana sitting on the sofas. Elliot was sharing an embarrassing story with Anastasia, my traitorous parents chipping in with additional details. I would be furious with them, were it not for the giggles coming from my girl. She was loving every minute.

"Sorry about that. All done," I said, sitting on the sofa next to Anastasia, slipping my arm around her waist.

"I'll tell you later," I whispered as I kissed Ana's temple. Nothing other than full disclosure. Ana nodded before turning her attention to another humiliating story, this time told by my mother. Thank God my grandparents weren't here. No one remembered embarrassing stories better than Grandma Adele. As if divining my thoughts, Mom finished her story then turned to Elliot.

"Will you be joining us in Montana? Your grandparents aren't getting any younger, you know." I smirked, watching Elliot squirm. Yes, he had a building to finish for me, but our mother was a formidable force when she chose to be. "Surely you can delegate and enjoy some family time?"

Like a deer caught in the headlights, El looked around for a hand out before appreciating none was coming. "Sure, Mom. Happy to come with. What about you, Christian?"

"If we can swing it with Anastasia's schedule, we'd love to come."

"Doesn't Ana work for you?" Elliot grumbled.

"Yes, but I've promised not to interfere in her career. However, she could work remotely, and I do need a break…" I was looking at Ana with my best puppy dog eyes. Going to Gram and Gramps' property in Montana would put us away from Elena and all her crazy shit. Now Ana had accepted a job with SIP/GP she didn't need to be local for potential job interviews. Then there was the fact Taylor and Gail deserved some time off together. If we went to Montana, I could give my head security officer and housekeeper a vacation.

"As long as I can work remotely, I'll come," Ana said, smiling at me. My parents and Elliot wouldn't recognize it, yet I felt some hesitance. I needed to tell Ana everything Susannah had shared as soon as possible.

"I doubt your sister has anything worthwhile planned," Carrick chipped in, his disapprobation of his daughter's lifestyle clear. "Let's make it a family trip. Your grandparents will be elated."

Not long after my family left, but not before Dad complimented Ana several times about the delicious chocolate cake she'd sent him. Elliot wasted no time requesting Ana bring the recipe to Montana, attempting to disguise his greed by stating Gramps adored chocolate cake, too. I told Elliot to get his own girlfriend if he wanted chocolate cake. Ana and I bid the trio farewell at the elevator, my arm wrapped around my woman's waist. The moment the elevator doors closed…

"Spill," Anastasia demanded, "I want to know everything!"

"And I will tell you everything," I promised, leading Anastasia back over to the sofa, wrapping her in my arms. "But before I explain about what Susannah said, I want you to understand how things were between her and me. When I contracted Susannah, she had just come out of a bad relationship. She had no desire for anything emotional, yet she was submissive and had needs. Since I was not in the market for anything beyond the physical, our interests aligned. Knowing she didn't want more than the contract specified allowed me to open up to her."

I could feel Ana tense in my arms, so I continued on. "She was perfect for me at that point in time. Neither of us wanted more. Over time, other subs would suggest going out in public or meeting during the week. Susannah was never like that. Inside the playroom, she was the perfect sub, and outside the playroom, we'd sometimes talk business or current events."

Rather than her tension decreasing, my words were further incensing my girl. Fuck! I needed to explain in words she could understand.

"During our fourth contract, she told me she was applying for jobs, many of them out of state. It did not upset me… We both knew we were killing time together if that makes sense. GEH was growing rapidly. She was focused on her career. Our weekends together suited us as we could concentrate on our own stuff without unnecessary complications."

"She was more than a submissive to you?" Ana suggested, her voice soft.

"Yes. No." How could I explain this? "All the other subs eventually had an agenda. They wanted my money, my influence, or more than I could offer. Susannah and I were on the same page. I only wanted a sub, she only a Dom. That didn't change throughout our time together. It was easy to be with her because we were so well matched."

Ana flinched again. Fuck. I was making a complete mess of this explanation.

"We both knew it was nothing permanent. Two people who had way too much going on to want more than regular sex that suited our preferences. Our parting was amicable—Susannah got a position in California. San Diego, I think. One weekend she said it was our last. I wished her well, and that was it. I haven't really thought about her since then."

Anastasia shuddered in my arms. "That could be me," she whispered so quietly I almost missed it.

"What?" I didn't understand what she meant.

"You were with her for almost a year, yet as soon as she left your life you never thought of her again. That could be me."

Horror flooded me as I understood what Anastasia meant.

"No. Not possible. Not ever. I love you, Ana. I'm doing a shit job of explaining it, but the only reason Susannah and I were compatible back then is because we were using one another for sex. We both knew it, and neither of us pretended anything different. The honesty made it easy. There were no emotions. No desire for things to develop into anything different. At that time, it was what we both needed."

"So why did she contact you now?"

"Because of you," I said, nuzzling Ana's neck. "After your interview, she saw you get into one of my cars. She knew you were mine…" I went on to explain Susannah's meeting with Elena, and how Ana was now on Elena's radar. I also explained that she would get a job offer at Random House and that Susannah had warned her to be careful around Hyde.

"If he gets an editor position at SIP, I'll be careful," she promised. I snorted in response.

"He won't be getting an offer from Grey Publishing," I clarified. "The moment you told me you'd accepted an offer, I called Roach to tell him Jack Hyde was not to get a job offer under any circumstance. There was no way I'd let him work in the same company or building as you."

"What if I'd accepted the Random House offer?" she asked.

"Then Jack would have been offered a position at Grey Publishing to get him away from you. Either way, I would not let him anywhere near you."

"I'm sure he's fine," she said, her certainty not conveyed in her tone. "Just after Van Ryn…"

"Baby, whether or not he's fine, you didn't want to work with him, so you won't have to. That Susannah also thinks he's concerning has just added to my conviction."

"He works for another company. He's not your concern, now."

I kissed Ana's temple, cuddling her close to me as she digested the latest shitbomb my past had delivered to her. Hyde had creeped my girl out. Like I'd let where he worked stand in my way. Tomorrow, first thing, Welsh and Barney would investigate Hyde.

It took less time than I imagined arranging our escape to Montana. Somehow there was nothing pressing at GEH. Mom and Dad had already cleared their schedules, Elliot doing likewise. Mia bitched she had plans, but once Mom discovered they were shopping and clubbing, she quickly shut her down, ordering her to Montana with the rest of the family. I spent Tuesday sorting out everything to facilitate a week away, and by 6:00 pm my jet was lifting into the air, my entire family and Ana onboard.

An hour and a half flight, there was no opportunity to take Anastasia back to the bedroom on board. Besides which, I am sure if Ana and I attempted to leave our seats, Elliot would have wasted no time talking about the mile-high club, and I don't mean the restaurant. So we sat in the main cabin with the family, chatting throughout the flight.

Mom had filled Gram and Gramps in on the basics about the audit, so everyone knew there was a reason I wanted to be out of town. Since my grandparents and Mia were unaware of my actual reasons for distancing myself from Elena, hearing she'd potentially been defrauding me explained the cooled friendship.

The flight would have been perfect if Natalia, our flight attendant, hadn't shown an unprofessional interest in me. She'd attended me on previous trips, and I'd never noticed it, so I suspect it was because Ana was with me. Now she knew I wasn't gay, she decided to try her luck. While this flight would certainly be her last, the irritated expressions from Ana, my mother, grandmother, and sister prompted me to request she retire to the front of the plane and not reappear unless an emergency required her to. I was a man in love, and I'd not allow anyone to disrespect my woman. I was wondering how to explain this to Ana when she spoke.

"What's your grandparent's house in Montana like?" While I was ecstatic to take her to where the best of my childhood memories were formed, I needed to be aware this was all new to her.

"Think a big old ranch house. It's enormous. It's a combination of logs and stone. I know that sounds rustic, yet it isn't. My grandparents have extended and updated it a few times, and the inside is very comfortable. They used to stay upstairs, but now they're older, there's an entire wing downstairs for them. My room is at the other end from the family bedrooms. Because of my nightmares…"

Ana nodded, understanding.

"It will be a little bit away from the rest of the family, but I want you to stay there with me."

"Together?" she asked.

"Always, baby. I always want you with me."

"I want that, too."

By the time we arrived Tuesday night and settled in, we had time for a late dinner, then we all retired to bed. My grandparents had been well behaved during our flight, not sharing any embarrassing stories, although Grandpa Theo had teased me several times about finally inviting a young lady to the family holiday home. Over the years, Elliot had brought several women to stay, yet Anastasia was my first. The teasing gentle, I appreciated they all knew there was a fundamental difference between Elliot's visitors and mine. While I'd yet to say it in front of the family, I was in love with Anastasia and was seriously considering sharing a lifetime with her.

"My bedroom is this way," I said as I led Ana to the room I'd had here since I was double digits. "Gran and Gramps built me a room here, so I'd have my privacy. Sometimes they'd have other people visiting when we were. It was embarrassing to be overheard."

"I can imagine."

"Although tonight, I like the idea of not being overheard for a different reason."

"You want to…?"

"So very much. I love you, Anastasia. I want to show you that."

"I love you too, Christian. You're sure no one will hear us?"

"I'm certain, baby."