This is so unbelievably stupid. Here I was, standing in the middle of Mr. Grey's floor, with each of my wrists being tightly squeezed by two attractive, very masculine men. And somehow, I wasn't in blissful paradise. I mean come on! I'm the daughter of one of the most successful- and deadliest- mob bosses in the world. I was set to inherit a vast empire full of wealth, land, countless men…. and once again, I was being treated like a frikin doll- an object to be passed around and moved by men. That's how it's been my whole life, and it literally helped nothing that I was submissive by nature and naturally attracted to dominant men. Yes, I wasn't controversial; that just wasn't who I was. It wouldn't be any different if I was male; this was just part of my DNA, gender regardless.
However! Because I happen to be a woman, my passive nature makes it all the more easier for me to be pushed aside, moved around, and ignored. Being a mob princess made no difference for this whatsoever. Despite being a massive heiress and part of a mob lord family, that gained me no respect. I was a chess piece to every man in my life- whether they truly love me or not. "Either you succeed me or marry the man who does." "Don't forget, Anastasia; you can't fall in love with either of them." "No one's talking about marriage right now, princess; you still have time. But remember, sooner or later these kinds of things will need to be sorted out. Plus your babies would be smart and beautiful." Yes… Yes, I was very aware of how men see me. I know some loved and cared for me, only wanting the very best for me. But that didn't change the fact… Aside from my schoolwork and getting my PhD, I actually had very little control in and over my life.
"What gives you the right to barge in here and take Ana? Because you're a police officer?" Even Paul and Mr. Grey… I'm sure neither of them meant of any of this to harm me; in fact, I bet they thought they were being protective and looking out for my safety. Oh, sweet, sweet irony. "She's my friend. I can't let her spend the night with a stranger." Cause you know, that was Paul's decision to make. Not like I was a twenty-eight year old woman.
"Ana, let's go," I think both men were reaching their breaking point. He forcefully but also gently tore me out of Mr. Grey's grip, dragging me towards the door. "Anastasia!" Oh, now they want my input. We stopped; I glanced back, Paul didn't. Mr. Grey was now looking straight at me. "Keep your private life and work separate." Oh, this was not wise. Obviously Paul took this as a direct insult to my character. He finally let go of me, rushing to station himself in between me and Mr. Grey. He even growled slightly.
"You're the one who shouldn't mix work with your private life. Do you think Ana wants to break the law? Are you really that stupid? She'd never do something like that." "I know that," Mr. Grey fired back. "Paul, really. Of course Christian knows that." "Christian?!" Uh oh, what did I just say? Did I just slip up with his name? I meant to say "Mr. Grey"; Christian wasn't "Christian"- he was Mr. Grey! Oops!
"And you! Does your father know about this?" Uh, does a grown woman need to ask permission to stay at a man's house? Well, knowing Daddy, actually probably yeah. "I… was going to call him," I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly. It's true, I was…. tomorrow. "She's an adult; she doesn't need permission to do anything," Mr. Grey retorted upset. "Fine, then I'm staying here," Paul crossed his arms defiantly. Oh… oh boy. "What?" Mr. Grey just blinked at him incredulously. "She needs an escort tonight, and since you refuse to call Mr. Steele, I'll watch over Ana."
Ok, this was getting ridiculous. Despite what they may think, I am an adult; I can take care of myself. "Why are you being like this?" Mr. Grey hissed. "I don't think you're trustworthy," Paul answered flatly. Gees, Paul; what has Mr. Grey ever done that made you think he's untrustworthy? Granted, Course, Mr. Grey's low opinion of Paul was also unwarranted. "If Ana's staying, then I'm staying. We either leave together or stay together. It's your call, Grey." Uh, what about my call? When am I going to get a say in all this? And I know what you're probably thinking. 'You have a mouth, Ana; just open it and say something.' Yeah, no; that's not my style. Again, I hate confrontation and only engage when I see an opportunity. Plus I've been raised my entire life to be obedient; hard to disobey a man with a tire jack in his hand- not Daddy but any other random Dollar.
Mr. Grey looked like he was about to explode, and Paul wasn't far off. A silence permeated the air, giving me my longed-for opportunity. I glanced back and forth between them. "I have an idea." "Huh?" This caught both of their attention. I smiled while throwing my hands up into the air. "Why don't we go somewhere?" Anywhere- anywhere else is less awkward than here. "Where?" Mr. Grey asked, sounding a bit intrigued. I shrugged. "Somewhere fun. We don't have to call it a night so early." Of course, they had to look back at each other, mulling over the consideration in their minds.
One hour later- this is definitely not what I had in mind. I sat in between Mr. Grey and Paul at a bar table. Mr. Grey rented out the entire bar for the night. Initially both men refused to drink with Black still on the loose. But with the doors securely locked and no one else around, I think they finally found it safe enough. Why they chose going to a bar of all places is beyond me though. I suggested we see a movie; they shot that down pretty fast. Mr. Grey suggested a drive; nope. Paul wanted to stay in. I think we wound up here because it was the only place they could agree on; I didn't care by that point. I just wanted to go somewhere, anywhere.
We played a few games of pool. Admittedly, I actually kind of enjoyed that. Because of their competitive natures, they were really fun to watch playing games, trying to outdo each other. Whenever one would hit a ball out, they would send the other a smug smirk; then they'd look to me to make sure I saw. "Did you see that, Ana?" "Yes. You're wonderful at this game, Paul," I grinned. Mr. Grey immediately hit two balls in the moment my sentence finished. Paul frowned while Mr. Grey flashed him a victory smile. "Guess I'm pretty wonderful at this game too." "Bastard…." I had to hide a smile with my hand.
It got to a point where I'd say we were almost having fun together, though that might be a stretch. Next was darts; I sat this one out. They were already pretty tense, tossing darts- and missing. Again, I found myself having to stifle my laugh as Paul complained that Mr. Grey was throwing wrong, and Mr. Grey accused Paul of being in front of the line. I wish I was making this up… not really; it was way too amusing. This was basically the equivalent of a dick-measuring competition; and both didn't see losing as an option. Who knows? Maybe in another time and place, they could have actually been friends.
After their uh, interesting round of darts, they decided it was time for the real "fun" to start. My eyes rolled as they went to fetch themselves some liquor and shot glasses. Oh man, here we go. I sat at the table with my milk; who knows why a bar had jugs of milk. While I sipped on that through a fun, multi-color straw, they poured shots and lined them up in a row. Real classy, guys. Locking their eyes onto one another- though I swore a bit more playfully this time- Mr. Grey picked up the first shot. It was gone in a second. He set the empty glass down in front of him with an air of pride and competitive spirit. Well done, Mr. Grey. I couldn't hide my smile any longer when Paul instantly picked one and polished it off just as quick. These guys… If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were starting to enjoy this competitive jealousy scenario; the perfect opportunity to show off their manhood and what not. Still, this did seem a bit stupid. Why drinking of all things?
"Seriously, you guys. Do you have to have a drinking competition?" My cheek rested on the palm of my hand. No reply; just more staring at each other. Man! My eyes rolled so hard. "Fine, in that case, I'll have one too," I reached for a pink lemonade. "No," they said in unison with both their hands immediately coming to snatch it away from me. I blinked in surprise and mild horror. "You need to stay alarm at all times." "Yes; no drinking until Black's been caught. Just in case." "But we're in a locked bar!" I retorted affronted. This wasn't so cute anymore. "Exactly," Mr. Grey downed another shot. Paul wasn't about to be undone, drinking one himself. I threw my hands up into and slunk back into my seat. These jerks….
Ok, in hindsight maybe it's a good thing I didn't drink- like at all. This was the night things started to change for me; I started to change. While I stayed sober and watched these two morons drink their own body-weight in alcohol, it occurred to me that no one knew where we were and we had no way home. I didn't have a licence or car, and I was forbidden by the Dollars from taking cabs; lots of mob women were kidnapped by cab drivers. It slowly started to come to me that I'd be responsible for all of us tonight; I doubt they thought of that when they chose to come to a bar.
By the time all the shots were gone, they were looking a little…. uh…. how do I put this nicely? No, there's no way to nicely say it, so I won't bother. I had my eyes in my hands while Paul looked to be on verge of puking and Mr. Grey falling over anytime now. I can't believe how idiotic these guys are. And now I have to take care of everyone; I didn't mind that so much the more I thought about it. I didn't know Mr. Grey well enough but I knew Paul- he only got drunk when he knew it was safe to do so, which wasn't often. In a weird way, I felt a bit trusted by them; they trusted me to handle things if they got bad…. Paul proceeded to vomit on the floor. Which they just have…..
"Paul, are you alright?" I rushed over to his side. He was so out of it, he didn't even acknowledge my arrival. "Looks like someone had a little too much," Mr. Grey slurred from his side of the table. My eyes rolled for like the hundredth time that night. "Mr. Grey, what are you doing?" "Mr. Grey? Who's "Mr. Grey"? Mr. Grey is my father." Ugh. "Christian! What are you doing? Put that down!" I went to snatch the newly-opened beer out of his hand.
"Did you just call me "Christian"? Awe, say it again; I love it when you call me that," he cooed. "Christian, you need some water; both of you do. Stay here while I get you some," I instructed. "Isn't my wife wonderful?" This made me stop in my traces. "What did you just say?" My head spun right around to face him; he was smiling so adoringly at me. "My wife, my faceless angel… I've finally found you. I'm so happy….." "Sleep, my wife. You need not worry; I will keep holding you like this." That voice in my head just now…. It sounds like… It sounds like….
"You're drunk, Christian. Just wait, I'll get you some water." "But I'm going to faaaaaaall," I'd never heard him talk like this before; it was weird. "Then go lay… go lay on the pool table," that was the best I could think of at the moment. "Capital idea! Come lay with me?" His arms stretched out for me. I sighed, rolling my eyes yet again. There was certainly nothing in the relationship contract about this. With my support, I carried Christian over to the table, where he proceeded to lay down all comfy on it. He smiled up at me, reaching his hand up to caress my cheek and brush a few stray hairs from my face with his thumb. The corners of his smile intensified as he stared into my eyes. "Teddy looks like you," was the last thing he said before he passed out. Teddy? Who's Teddy?
Paul noticed this by now and was also waving his arms out for me. "I wanna sleep too!" "Alright, I'm coming," I came over to help Paul stumble over to the pool table. He laid down right beside Christian, also blacking out. Looking at the two unconscious men, I sighed to myself before pulling out my burner phone. "Hi, Kate. It's me; listen, I know it's late, but I need a favor."
By the time Kate pulled up in her car, I had somehow managed to get both men's bodies outside onto a bench. She was laughing hysterically at the sight. "This is gold!" "Shhhh! Don't wake them up!" I put my finger to my lips. "Oh, they're not waking up anytime soon." "Just help me get them home." We drove to Christian's apartment. We brought him up first, then Paul. Once inside and Kate took off, I got them all set and comfy on each one of the couches in Christian's living room. I put pillows under their heads and covered them with fluffy blankets. Not wanting to be far from them, I then pushed the coffee table out of the way, making myself a little bed in between the two couches. It took me a while to get to sleep, I just kept listening to the sound of them breathing….
I have no clue why, but something definitely changed that night onwards. Maybe it was me, or maybe it was Christian, but something changed…. I just didn't know it by the time I fell asleep.
And yes, looking back I do consider this one of the best- certainly funniest- nights of my life.