Tea on Tuesday at Four 8
Chapter 8
Elena
"Take your filthy paws off my son, you whore, and get out of my house - now!"
I am shocked. I have never seen Grace lose it before. No matter what, she has always the calm and cool one, the sensitive one. This outburst was beyond the pale. In a mere fifteen minutes, my whole life has come crashing down around my ears. I never thought that I would see the day when Christian would turn against me. And even worse, Grace has also. It all seems to have come to an end so quickly. It's as if I have woken up from some horrible nightmare and all that I have to do is fall asleep again and when I wake up it will be over. But it will never be over.
Tonight, I actually lived this nightmare. I am still stunned. There we were at the party. We had all just greeted Christian. I was so pleased to see him safe and sound. I could tell that Ana wanted to back away when I approached them, to give us some space, but Christian wouldn't let her. He held on tight and then made his grand announcement.
He and Ana were engaged to be married. What the fuck! I never saw that coming. How could anyone have seen that coming? Even last night as we were waiting for news of the crash, the reporters and headlines were still calling him "Seattle's most eligible bachelor." Why just two weeks ago Ana had dumped him and made him completely miserable. A few days ago, Leila had the little bitch at gunpoint. It's too bad that she didn't shoot her when she had the chance.
I didn't know what to do or say. I left the room as quickly as possible. It would not do to lose control in front of all those people. Luckily, I have a lot of practice staying in control, keeping my composure. Mia had said that she was inviting all of Christian's friends! What friends? Who was she kidding?
His "friends" were made up of business associates and people that he employed in one capacity or another. Even his shrink was there for crying out loud! She must have really been desperate to fill the house. I was the only true friend there. I know him better than his own family does.
And yet he does this and doesn't even give me any kind of warning. I know that he must have told Grace. She did not look at all surprised when he made his announcement. And when she greeted me at the door earlier she had been bubbling over with some secret. Little did I know!
I went outside for a minute to walk around and try to cool myself off. But the more I walked, the angrier I become at her. At first I thought that she just had some kind of a missionary complex or something for him. She was going to save him from himself. She was going to save him from me. I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to go in and confront her once and for all.
I thought that it was a piece of pure luck that Mia had pulled her into the dining room by themselves for some little private tete-a-tete. It gave me the perfect opening to get her alone. What I had to say to her was for her ears only. I know that she has always been worried that she's not enough for him. I figured that all I had to do was play a little bit on those insecurities and it would be over. She would realize her mistake and let him down like every other person in his life except for me.
But the little bitch has sharp teeth. Toss me into the seventh circle of hell? Where did she think that she was, in an English seminar or something? A pedophile? A child molester? And how dare she judge us and our lifestyle? Especially since I know that she has been only too willing to "play" as long as it doesn't hurt too much. Well for someone who has such an aversion to taking pain, she sure did a hell of a fine job dishing it out when it suited her purposes. When I think of all the pain that she caused Christian it makes me even angrier.
If Christian hadn't so rudely interrupted us, I would have told her about the kind of pain that she had inflicted on him. And it wasn't that kind that can be soothed with Advil and arnica cream. No, she had been dishing out psychological beatings of guilt and sorrow. She thought that what I did was inexcusable? What does she know about it anyway?
And how dare she throw her drink on me? So much for little Miss Sweet and Innocent, who wouldn't hurt a fly. And then when Christian came barging in, he had the nerve to be mad at me. He just can't see what she is doing to him. When I think back at those things that he said to me. He wanted me to hold him? He hardly wanted me to touch him back in those days. He wanted me to say that I loved him? What kind of bullshit is that?
As I took my stance with him, I knew that I was within seconds of reviving our Domme/sub relationship. He was horrified by my insight. He was cowed in my presence. I had him exactly where I wanted him, and in front of his little fiancée no less. Yes, I was in control of that scene.
He knows damn well that love is a racket invented by Hallmark to sell more sappy cards. And he never wanted love from me. He didn't know how to accept love. Christ, Grace had been showering him with love for years and all he ever did was kick it back in her face. He never appreciated everything that she offered him. Not the way that he appreciated what I had to offer him.
But the piece de resistance of the night was when Grace walked in. By then the scene was totally out of everyone's control except mine. Who knows what we would have said to each other next? I'm almost glad that I didn't have to listen to any more of that love drivel. It is obvious to me that "dear, little Ana" has almost completely emasculated him. And Mommy stepping in to save the day was just further proof.
Who would have thought that she could pack such a wallop? But of course, she was operating from the moral high ground. What did she know about it anyway? Christian and I had an affair. Was that any of her business? He's a full grown man, a consenting adult. She didn't know any more than that. And she certainly didn't know the true nature of our relationship. How much could she have heard?
What was said? Enough to indicate that we had had a sexual relationship, in the past. There was no mention of Doms and subs, no mention of anyone's age. She could have ascertained that it was long-standing. And she would have ascertained that there was no love involved. She just couldn't bear the thought of son with a woman her own age, I guess.
And she calls me a whore? I wonder what she calls all those women that Elliot has been fucking for all these years? And what about his present little piece of trash all dressed up in red tonight. Rumor has it that they can't keep their hands off of each other in public. But Elliot is Elliot and Christian is Christian. She was worried for all those years that he was gay, but now I guess she wants to believe that he was celibate. Maybe she's the one who should be seeing Flynn!
After the slap heard round the world, I had no choice. I had to leave, to get out before anyone could see me. It was beyond humiliating, and I don't do humiliating (at least not for myself). Fortunately, everyone was so busy eating, drinking and fawning all ver the happy couple that nobody noticed as I left and walked down the drive. As soon as I got my bearings, I drove home to nurse my wounded pride and wonder what would happen next. I know that Grace will have nothing more to do with me. The question is, what will Christian do?
We are tied together by the business. I know that he will want to get out of it. And even if he doesn't, I am sure that his mother and future wife will make sure that he does. He knows that I don't have the money to buy him out, even though it is very successful. He ha known that it is a moneymaker from the start and has made a nice profit for himself over the years. However, because we just opened the new salon in Bravard Center, the cash flow has been tight recently.
Once I enter the house, I head straight for the bath. I need to wash that sticky goo off of me. That drink has ruined this silk dress. After a hot shower, I feel calmer. I go over to the bar and take out a bottle of Tanquerey. Nothing like a good gin and tonic to sooth the nerves.
Then, I hear the bell. Who the hell could that be? I know that it's not Isaac. He'll no doubt be waiting for my call. Once he finds out what happened, I am sure that he will be shaking in his shoes. There is only one way for me to work out this level of anger. As I open the door, I am shocked to see Taylor standing there. What the fuck?
"Do you have a message for me from Christian?" I ask haughtily.
"No, but I have a message from myself," he replies in a threatening tone. "I suggest that you let me in. You wouldn't want the neighbors to hear."
I am so surprised that I step back. If Christian didn't send him then why is he even here? I am sure that Friday's crash has him just as far on edge as he's ever been. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor has been patrolling the area around the Greys' house all night. But Taylor has never had anything to do with me. This is a most unusual occurrence.
As we walk into the living room, I offer him a drink and a seat.
"I never drink on the job," he refuses. "And I prefer to stand."
"Suit yourself," I shrug.
Despite the calm I project, I am suddenly feeling anxious. There has always been something about Taylor that has been unsettling. I have never liked the fact that he has always been lurking in the background. Christian told me once that he had been in special-ops in the Iraq war and that he had seen things that no man should ever have to witness.
"Mrs. Lincoln," he says formally. "You will refrain from all contact with either Mr. Grey or Ms. Steele. If you attempt to reach either of them, I will know and you will be sorry, very sorry."
"Really?" I ask, my superior tone returning.
"I know all about you," he says smoothly. "I know all about your previous relationship with Mr. Grey and his role in your divorce from your ex-husband. I know everything that you have been doing since. Mrs. Lincoln, I know everything."
We stare at each other. He is utterly calm and cool. It is obvious that he does know all about my former relationship with Christian. But I think that he is bluffing that he knows anything else. He's playing his little protection racket game.
"Why do you think that you know 'all' about me?" I finally ask.
"As you know, Mr. Grey maintains files on all of his associates, business or personal," he says. "I have my own collection of dossiers. Welch is good, but he's not as good as my man. My records are more thorough, much more thorough."
This is news to me, and I bet that it would be to Christian as well. However, I spot the chink in the armor immediately. I can work with this.
"So, how long have you been going behind Christian's back?" I ask reasserting my authority.
"I have hardly been going behind his back," he answers. "Mr. Grey pays me a great deal of money to give him peace of mind. In order to do that I have to dig deeper into the backgrounds of those around him. Some of what I uncover would not, shall we say, give him peace of mind. I am thus able to monitor his interactions with others while preserving his nominal equilibrium. What I know about you would disturb him very much."
I suddenly feel less confident. I might know everything (or so I thought up until tonight) about Christian, but he certainly doesn't know everything about me. Taylor is right. Knowledge is power. But I still think that he is bluffing. I decide to force his hand.
"So what do you think that you know about me?" I ask.
Taylor smiles at me cryptically.
"Mrs. Lincoln," he says. "Let us say that I know that you have always had a penchant, shall we say, for younger men. Mr. Grey was neither the first nor the last such man in your life. Although the word 'man' is something of an overstatement."
Shit! How could Taylor have found out about them. None of them lasted for more than a couple of weeks. I wonder what else he knows.
"I also happen to know," he continues. "That Mr. Grey was not the first man that your ex-husband had discovered in your bed. In fact, I know that he threatened to kill you if he ever caught you again. It would have done humanity a real service if he had followed through."
I can feel my mouth dropping open and my skin crawls. Taylor's threats are very real. But my ties with Christian are not completely broken yet.
"Yes, I know," he replies to my unasked question. "You still have mutual business interests. You also have a mutual lawyer who will sever those ties, I am sure. And knowing Mr. Grey as I do, I doubt that he will treat you vindictively. I strongly urge you to accept whatever settlement he offers without complaint."
"What if he tries to contact me?" I ask quietly.
"Then that is his choice," he says. "However, you will not initiate contact, nor try to prolong any contact that you might have. I will find out and this time you will be punished."
I look up at his cool face, which is covered in a mask of disdain. His eyes are cold and without emotion and I realize that he is a dangerous man, to me. In his mind, I have become the enemy.
"Why the sudden dislike, Taylor?" I ask.
"I have always disliked you, Mrs. Lincoln," he replies calmly. "However, I have treated you with the courtesy and respect due to you as a friend of Mr. Grey. Now that your friendship has ended, I no longer have to offer you courtesy or pretend to respect you. If I decide to ruin you, then I am sure that Ms. Steele would convince Mr. Grey to let me."
"You realize that by ruining me, you might also drag Christian down," I answer back.
He smiles, but it is a malevolent smile.
"You underestimate me, Mrs. Lincoln," he says. "If you think that I would let that happen, then I would advise you to take everything that I have told you tonight very seriously. And when I said that I will do everything in my power to keep Mr. Grey and Ms. Steele safe, I meant it."
"Anastasia, as well?" I ask.
"Ms. Steele will shortly be Mrs. Grey," he says smoothly. "Nothing would make Mr. Grey more unhappy than for anything adverse, shall we say, to happen to her. She is not only under his protection now, but mine as well. Do not even consider going near her."
"Trust me," I reply sarcastically. "I never considered it."
"Good," he says. "Now I must be on my way."
After he leaves, I consider his threats and his promises. Something tells me that I don't want to test him. I wonder how he even knew what had happened at the Greys' house, but it seems that he is more resourceful than any of us have ever realized. His loyalty to Christian is unmistakable and even a week ago, that would have pleased me. Now I realize that I have little or no chance of seeing Christian any time soon.
I will admit that I was almost looking forward to dealing with him regarding the salon business. Now chances are that this is going to happen through the legal channels. I go over to the bar and fix myself another drink. Can this night get any worse?
The bell rings again. I answer the door and this time it is Carrick. Holy shit! Don't these people ever sleep?
"What do you want?" I ask bluntly.
"You will stay away from both my son and my wife," he says curtly. "There will be no contact between you and any member of my family."
I roll my eyes. This is too rich. First Taylor and now Carrick. Don't these men have lives of their own?
"Carrick, I have no intention of going anywhere near anyone in your family," I reply firmly. "Now get out of my house."
He looks almost surprised by my forcefulness, not to mention how quickly I answered him. He obviously came over here looking for a fight. I think that my easy acquiescence has deflated him a little. Now that I realize this, I decide to try and temper my antagonism.
"Why, Elena?" he asks.
"Why what?" I ask right back.
"Why Christian?"
What the hell! What kind of an idiot does he think that I am? I dont know if he's here as a father or a lawyer. At this point I have no intention of saying anything to him that could come back to bite me in court. I figure that it is better not to admit to anything. I don't need anyone else prying into my lifestyle.
"I don't know what you are talking about," I reply.
"Oh, yes, you do," he says, attempting to go on the offensive .
"No, Carrick," I say sarcastically. "I've been drinking a lot tonight and my memory is not what it used to be."
"Don't play games with me," he threatens. "I've talked to both my son and my wife. I know what you were up to. I know what happened between you two."
"Do you, Carrick?" I ask harshly. "Do you really? While you were ripping him down for every little mistake he made, I was building him up. And that's all that I'll say. I gave him the confidence to succeed in business that you never could. I made him what he is today!"
Now it is Carrick's turn to drop his mouth.
"Yes, Carrick," I continue more forcefully. "How many schools did he get kicked out of? What were you able to do about it? Do you think that he made some miraculous conversion to being a good student and no longer drinking and brawling? You and Grace were both in over your heads with him. He was totally out of control. You should be thanking me."
Looking at Carrick, I can see that he is losing his confidence. He closes his eyes and tries to steel himself. However, it doesn't take him long to regain his composure.
"Elena," he says tightly. "There is no justification for the damage that you inflicted on an innocent child. You will only get away with this because I don't want my family's name dragged through the mud."
"And the statute of limitations has run out," I remind him.
"That too," his mouth tightens. "However, if there was anyone else . . ."
"Don't go there, Carrick," I say icily. "There are things about your son that you don't know and you will be very sorry if they come to light. Don't even think of putting me in a situation where I have nothing left to lose. Trust me. You have a lot more to lose than I do."
He tries to stare me down, but he can't succeed. He knows that there must be lots of things that he doesn't know about his son's life for the past twelve years. And he should know me well enough to take my threats seriously. Carrick is a good lawyer, one of the best. And a good lawyer never brings up any question in court that he doesn't know the answer to. And he does not have nerves of steel like Taylor.
"Just stay away from my family," he says hoarsely.
"Don't worry, I will," I say firmly and open the door.
But not because of anything that you have said, I think, after he is gone. I no longer have any interest in his family. Except for one person. I still have one card left up my sleeve. Taylor isn't the only one with good spies. I have information that would blow all of their lives open. I have something that I have reserved as my own little insurance policy for years.
I knew that this day could possibly come. But this game is not over yet. Grace and Carrick have tossed me out of their lives, but nobody seems to have noticed but me that Christian hasn't said goodbye. This situation is not yet resolved. Christian will not be able to stay away from me. Sooner or later, he will come back to me. And I will be waiting with open arms.