Haywire Part I
Thank you all for the reviews, favorites and follows. Like I said before this story is very dark and this is the first part of the darkest chapter yet. If you are sensitive dark subjects described on the first page please do not read this. Once again big thanks to my beta Svart Jasmin please check out her amazing story Regrets s/12184940/1/Regrets.
Christian
Inertia is the resistance of every psychical object to change in a state of motion. It is a scientific principle within the physics field that, ironically enough, has strong parallels with human behavior. How we respond and behave to applied outside force or pressure seems to differ on the individual, and it seems that Miss Steele is very resistant to outside force.
I must admit that I half expected her to be on her hands and knees in front of me now, begging me to renew my offer, but alas, Miss Steele seems to have other ideas. The Audi moves again slowly, navigating through the Wednesday afternoon traffic. I stare out the darkened windows, a mother with a young son moves fast over the sidewalk. She is holding the young boy protectively against her chest shielding him from the harsh December wind and rain. It makes me wonder if the crack whore ever did something similar for me. The thought is painful, and I quickly suppress it. I hate thinking about her, it makes me feel weak, vulnerable, and incompetent. I take a deep breath, ridding myself of all thoughts crack whore, and continue staring out the car window, until Taylor stops at a small lunchroom at the heart of Seattle's historic district.
Ryan opens my door I briskly get out of the car and enter the establishment.
"Grey." I tell the maître D' curtly.
"Good afternoon Mr. Grey. Please follow me." He replies politely and takes me to my seat. I am surprised to find that Elena isn't here yet. She is always early. I decide to order directly to speed this lunch up. I am flying to Rome in two hours and don't have time for idle chit chat.
"Garlic bread, seafood chowder for two and two glasses of Fielding estate Riesling chilled," I tell the waiter brusquely. He nods and immediately scurries off to where he came from.
The Vatican invited me to be their main guest speaker at a conference about social, economic, and environmental issues and I accepted. The conference won't start until four days from now, but my mother basically ordered me to have a mini vacation before the conference starts. She thinks that I work way too hard. I hate having a holiday all by myself, it gives me time to think and reflect on my life, and I loathe doing that, knowing what a fuck up I really am.
"Christian, darling sorry I am late. There were some issues with suppliers at the Braven center." Elena's says graciously. I get up from the table and greet her with two kisses on the cheek.
"Solved now?" I ask straight to the point.
"Yes, thankfully. The supplier was an idiot." She says dismissively.
"Good. I have ordered the garlic bread and the seafood chowder." I say pointedly.
She looks a little affronted but then smiles at me.
"Sounds delicious. So, how are things with you and the little intern? I must say I was surprised when I met her, you know. She is stunning, don't get me wrong. But she seems a little shy and mousy in comparison with the girls I usually picked for you."
I am annoyed with Elena's blunt statement. It is frankly none of her business.
"Well, maybe that is because you picked those girls for me, Elena. They never had much sustenance to them." I reply flippantly.
"Ouch, that hurts. You know how I always want what's best for you Christian." She says in a placating tone.
"I know." I grumble back.
"Your mother seems to be quite taken with her." Elena says a little sourly.
I smile at her.
"Yes, what's not to like? It took zero persuasion on my part for her to take Anastasia out for a beauty day. I merely told her about what happened and she jumped at the suggestion. I think Anastasia will make a great daughter in law." I say earnestly.
Elena coughs loudly spilling her wine all over the table.
"Are you alright?" I ask mildly concerned.
"Yes, just a shock to hear you talk that like. I have never seen you so in love before, Christian. It is such a delight to see. But I am so worried for you. This girl does not seem into you like you are into her, from what you told me. I just don't want to see you get hurt."
"I know, what do you suggest I do to turn that around? I did what you told me to do and took control of her life but she hasn't even nibbled on my bait."
"Oh, Christian that is because you have been way too kind and patient with her. You need to be brutal, cruel and demanding. I know you think you already are but you are still way too kind. You need to break her down, destroy her completely, strip her of her own will and identity, and then reshape her so you can build her up again to fit your needs and desires. I know her kind, she thinks she knows everything and can handle everything but she can't. She is a lost little sheep, desperately looking for a Sheppard. And if you do not take care of her she will end up a street hooker with a needle stuck in her arm. Remember how I did the same for you? How I saved you from that kind of life? And look at you now Christian. I know it all sounds counterintuitive, but trust me; it is the only way you can save her. In the end, it will make her a better person, and more importantly she will learn to love you." Elena says and squeezes my hand reassuringly.
"Do you really think she will love me?" I ask hoarsely, her loving me is an unspoken deep dark secret of mine.
Elena takes a sip of her wine and gives me a wry smile.
"I know she will. Just trust me."
I release a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Thank you, Elena, I don't know where I would be without your friendship." I tell her earnestly.
"You are most welcome Christian. If you want I can help you train her." Elena says eyeing me closely.
I don't want her to help me. What I want to do with Ana is private, intimate and just between us. I don't want anyone else near her. She's mine and only mine.
"No that is alright. I can manage myself." I snap.
"Just offering. You know where to find me if you need help."
The rest of lunch we talk about Elena's plans to expand Escalva. She needs another 150k investment from GEH to open two more salons. I tell her to send me her business plan ASAP and we will discuss it when I get back from Rome.
Our lunch ends and I make my way back to the car, and Taylor drives off to SeaTac where my plane will leave in an hour. My phone rings and I check the caller ID. It's Grace.
"Mother." I briskly say when picking up the phone.
"Hello, sweetheart. I am just calling you to wish a lovely holiday and a safe flight. Just try not to work dear." My mother cheerful voice resounds through the speaker.
"Thank you, mom. I have a conference, so I need to work." I reply tersely.
"Christian, I am worried about you. I know you need to do a little work but please try to enjoy the Italian landscape and weather a little while you are there." Mom says in that tone of voice that makes me feel like a six-year-old again.
"I will try mom." I reply back quickly hoping she will let up.
"Good. I love you, sweetheart."
"Bye mom say hello to dad and Mia for me." I know I will miss Mia, my little sister, a lot. I will take her out when I get back.
"I will." She says a little tearfully. I cannot deal with her crying knowing where it comes from, so I hang up the phone. I resume staring out the car window watching the city flash by. Taylor pulls the Audi up the tarmac, and Ryan opens my door again. He, Taylor, and Prescott will accompany me to Italy where they will get help from three more guards. Unfortunately, we had to increase security. There are various threats against my person and the Vatican. Taylor doesn't want to take any chances, so he ramped up security after talking to the commander of the Swiss guard, the pontifical police force.
Prescott, Stephan my captain, and Melanie the flight attended greet me when I enter the plane.
"We are ready for take-off sir." Stephan informs me.
"Thank you, Stephan." I reply and buckle in.
30 minutes later we are airborne, and I can move around the plane again. Taylor briefs me on the latest security issues in my office. Apparently, some Muslim and right-wing extremist have threatened the Vatican and the conference, and guards are taking it very seriously. After the security briefing, I decide to do some work. One of my latest acquisitions, a fiber optics company, is struggling even though we overhauled and rebranded it. I think Lucas Woods, the CEO, is the problem, but Ros wants to give him a little more time to steer the company in the right direction. We are flying above New York when Melanie the flight attendant serves dinner. Steak, baked potatoes, and green beans with a glass of Merlot. It is still 8 hours flying before we reach Rome, and I am restless. I decide to do some exercise and take a shower before checking in with Miss Steele.
I lay down on my bed and turn on my laptop but the video feed does not seem to work at 36.000 feet. I sigh and close my laptop, again feeling empty and disappointed. Feeling bored and alone, I take out Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century and begin to read.
"Mrs. Lincoln I don't think I want to do this anymore." I have been dreading this day for the entire week, and I finally managed to get enough courage to tell her I want out.
Our affair started a couple of months back, and at first, I really liked all the sex I was getting. I felt calmer and more at ease with myself than I ever had before. But Mrs. Lincoln became increasingly more demanding. When she caught me talking with one of the girls from school, she flipped and caned my hide until I couldn't sit for a week. I felt so angry and out of control again but at the same time, it felt safe and familiar. It is all so confusing and I want a break from it all to figure myself out.
"Christian, darling, I know things have gotten a little rough, and it's hard to cede control, but deep down in your heart, you know you want and need this. It is what you deserve. Don't deny it, you are not worthy to have any control or say over your life, you blew that privilege. Remember?" Elena says soothingly.
I know she is right. I made everyone's life a living hell. I am a fuck-up and nobody wants to help me, at least Elena is willing to.
She purses her lips and then smiles at me.
"You don't want your mother to know how sick you are, do you? It will destroy her. Come Christian let me show you just how good I am for you and how much I can help you." Elena says huskily, rubs my cock, and drops down on the floor in front of me. She opens my zipper and pulls my hard throbbing cock out. Her tongue slowly slides over the head of my dick, and she fondles my balls, making me moan out loud. It feels so good but so bad it is confusing.
"Please, Elena stop." I murmur but she doubles her efforts, pulling my dick deeper into her mouth. She releases my cock and looks at me coldly.
"You want this Christian, stop protesting. It will help you. Just relax and let go." She hisses and continues sucking my dick harder this time. Her hot, wet mouth wrapping deliciously around my cock. I am lost, confused, and can't think straight anymore. I let her continue, dragging me back to that deep dark place in my mind where only pain and pleasure matter.
"Sir? Wake up please sir." I startle awake from Taylor's loud voice ringing in my ear.
What the fuck was that dream about? And where the hell am I? I feel dazed and disoriented. Oh, right probably somewhere over the Atlantic, on my way to the conference. I must have fallen asleep.
"Yes Taylor, what is it?" I croak out annoyed.
"Mr. Miller is on the phone for you sir. He says it's urgent."
I lift my eyebrow at him and walk over the phone in my study.
"Miller. What do you want?" I bark into the horn.
"I am sorry to disturb you, sir. But I am afraid I have some bad news. One of our interns, Miss Steele, has embezzled 435.000 dollars from our creditor's account. After our investigation, we found enough evidence to hand the case over to law enforcement. With your permission, I would like to hand the case over to the police." Miller says in a matter of fact tone.
I feel hurt. A part of me had hoped she would come to me for help, but the other more realistic part knew that Miss Steele would fall for plan B. Silly naïve little girl.
"You will under NO circumstances involve the police. Miss Steele was under my strict orders to investigate how good our fraud detection system was. You should be pleased Miller, it is functioning much better than I expected." I reply coolly.
"Oh, sir I didn't know." He begins.
"Of course you didn't know. It was supposed to be a secret test. Now that Miss Steele has done what I have asked of her, I want you to send her to Rome today. I have another project regarding this conference for her… Check with Barry which planes is free. And Miller, send me all of the evidence you have. I want to know exactly how the system detected it." I order authoritatively.
"But sir, I thought all the interns were assigned to our departments for six weeks." He starts again.
"Mr. Miller, I am your boss and I want one of my employees to assist me. I am ordering you to send Miss Steele to help me out. Do I make myself clear?" I hiss through the speaker.
"Yes, sir, perfectly." He replies hastily.
"Good. And Miller? Don't mention any of this to Miss Steele." I snap and hang up before calling Sawyer; he picks up on the second ring.
"Luke. She took the bait on plan B. Escort her on the flight to Rome and take Reynolds with you. Have Harrison take over as head of security. Don't let her out of your sight Luke." I say straight to the point.
"Yes sir, only I don't think she has a passport." He replies immediately.
"Call Crawford and have her contact the State department to arrange for one immediately."
"Yes, sir." He says and I hang up.
Well, well, well. It looks like I am finally getting what I want. I sink in my office chair and pour myself and Taylor a scotch. I feel excited and exhilarated, but also saddened. I wanted her to come to me for help no steal from me. But It doesn't matter now, I have what I wanted. Miss Steele will soon be mine, there is no escape now. I offer the drink to Taylor and he gives me a slow nod.
"Miss Steele has fallen for plan B. She has taken money from GEH." I quietly inform him.
"I see. Well, she always had a choice, sir." He simply replies and takes a sip of his Scotch.
"Are you ok with it?" I ask just to make sure Taylor is still on my team.
"Yes, sir." He states without hesitation.
"Good." I reply and down the contents of my glass. I dismiss Taylor because I have work to do. Anastasia needs a new wardrobe for our stay Italy and for Escala. I also need some new toys and implements to punish her for stealing from me. I open my laptop and start my search. Miss Steele will be in for a big surprise.
Anastasia
I feel hot, sweaty and nervous. Why the hell didn't I quit immediately after I transferred the money? I berate myself while I wait for Mr. Miller to call me into his office. Does he know what I have done?
"Hi, Ana." Emily greets me cheerfully.
"Hi, Em." I say with a shaky voice. I will miss Emily once I am gone from the hellhole. She is the one that has made these past two weeks bearable.
"Are you alright?" She asks concerned.
"Just a little nervous. I have been called into Mr. Miller's office."
She smiles at me and squeezes my shoulder.
"It is probably just an evaluation of your first week. I had mine yesterday." She says reassuringly.
"Miss Steele you can come in now." Mr. Miller grunts.
My feet feel heavy like someone bound to lead to them, and I slowly shuffle into his office. I almost faint when I see Mr. Sawyer standing next to his desk. They know! They are on to me. How could I have been so stupid? I knew stealing from GEH was a bad idea, but Grey owed Ray that money. I quickly sit down before my legs buckle out, and wait for the hammer to drop. I feel small and vulnerable, like a bug waiting to be squashed.
"Miss Steele, Thank you for coming. I will get right to the point. Mr. Grey has requested that you join him in Rome and assist him with the Conference he is attending in there. He needs someone to read through and proofreads his speeches, and as an English major you are most suitable for the job." He says brusquely.
I am speechless. I half expected the police to come in and arrest me, yet I am being sent to Rome to assist the bastard. I want to tell him no and then quit before they find out about my theft, but I know that is not really an option. It will make me look even guiltier if I stay a little longer and they find out. I can always try to chalk it up as an honest mistake. But I don't want to spend a week with Grey. Not if I can help it. The man is dangerous and I don't trust him. God forbid he ever finds out I took money from him.
"Rome sir?" I ask him hoarsely.
"Yes, Rome, as in Italy." He snaps irritated.
"But I don't have a passport and I still have some work that needs to be finished this week." I protest.
"A passport will be provided, Miss Steele. I already contacted Mrs. Crawford and she already started the procedure. I will escort you to HR after we are done here so we can take a picture and send it to the state department. Your passport will be ready in two hours max so you have time to pack your bags. I will escort you to your apartment so you can get your stuff after you have taken your picture. We need to be airborne in three hours so we need to move." Mr. Sawyer says bluntly.
How can they pull this off so quickly? I feel dazed and pressured. I can't just leave to Rome, leave my dad and Mouse behind. I need to take care of them. Before I can protest, again Mr. Miller speaks up.
"Have a nice trip Miss Steele." Mr. Miller says coldly in dismissal and I wonder what his problem is.
"Thank you, sir." I say and quickly get out of his office.
Mr. Sawyer walks with me to HR where my picture is taken in less than 5 minutes time.
"My dad is in the hospital I can't just leave him." I tell Sawyer. I could ask Jimmy to feed Mouse since he got back from New Orleans today.
"Is your father's condition stable?" Mr. Sawyer asks.
"Yes." I mutter petulantly, knowing all my protests will fall on deaf ears.
"Well, I am sure he will be fine for a week. If an emergency should arise, we can fly back instantly. If you want, I can arrange for a laptop for him so you two can Skype." Mr. Sawyer offers.
"Thank you, I would really appreciate that." I reply gratefully. At least I can see him then. It is a small comfort. Nevertheless, I cannot shake this ominous feeling I have about this trip. Why is Grey so insistent that I join him there? He could ask any other person working for him. Suddenly, I feel the urge to run, but I quickly suppress it. Grey might be a creepy bastard but he is still my boss for now.
Sawyer drives me to my apartment, and I begin to pack a suitcase. I have never been out of the country before, and I always wanted to visit Rome. But not like this, not with Grey. I sigh, and put some last socks and panties in my suitcase and close it up before walking to Jimmy's apartment.
"Hello Sugar, I missed you so much." He says hugging me.
"Hi Jimmy, I missed you too. How was New Orleans?" I ask.
"Hot, steamy, and delicious. The only downside was my aunty Elly-Mae who was her usual Cray, Cray." He says winking at me.
I laugh at his descriptive linguistics.
"You found yourself a man?" I tease.
"A gentleman never tells Sugar. So where are you off to little Annie?" He says while pointing at my suitcase.
"Business trip." I mutter without much enthusiasm.
"To where?" He asks excitedly.
"Rome." I reply.
"Oh, I heard it's beautiful I never been, pity I cannot come with you. He pouts.
"You can go in my place." I offer wryly and he smiles at me.
"Don't tempt me sugar."
"Listen, Jimmy, could you feed and keep an eye on Mouse while I am gone?"
"Sure thing sugar." He replies smiling.
"Thank you, dear." I say and give him a quick hug.
"Bon Voyage Annie." he says smiling broadly.
"Thanks." I reply again and wave at him.
I take the elevator and walk back to the SUV where Sawyer is waiting for me.
"We will be off to SeaTac now Miss Steele." He informs me.
"What about my passport?" I ask surprised.
"Reynolds, my colleague, has it with him. He will be flying with us." He replies stoically.
"Oh." I manage weakly. I sigh and call my father, informing him that I will be out of the country on a business trip to Rome. Ray seems to be very excited for me, and I feel bad for not sharing his enthusiasm. I tell him I love him and that I will call him as soon as my plane has landed. After Ray, I call my mother and tell her about the trip. She's almost gushing on the other end of the line telling me what a wonderful opportunity I have been given. Just like my conversation with Ray, I do not want to rain on her parade and act like I am excited, for her benefit. I tell her that I love her and I need to go once the car stops on the tarmac in front of a large plane with the gray GEH logo on its tail wing.
Sawyer opens my door, and I get out of the car. I walk up the stairs leading to the plane. I am greeted by a tall guy wearing the same black suit as Luke who I assume is Reynolds, a blond woman in her forties, and our pilot a woman named Beighley.
I gape at the interior of the plane. Everything is luxurious and polished. The seats are white leather and stand far apart giving plenty of leg space. The blond flight attendant even explains that there is a shower and a bedroom on board and that I am free to use if I want to. I thank her.
The plane starts taxiing and picks up speed. I am pressed harder against my chair and suddenly the ground disappears and we are airborne beginning our 13-hour journey to Rome.
It is 11 O'clock in the evening when we finally land on Leonardo Da Vinci international airport just outside the city. And even though the flight was luxurious and comfortable, I feel bone tired and jet lagged. Sawyer, however, instructs me not to get out of my seat yet. Moments later, two customs officers enter the plane and inquire about our passports. Apparently working for GEH avoids the long line mere mortals have to go through to enter the country. Once they are satisfied, we are allowed to leave the plane.
Sawyer and Reynolds escort me to a large black town car, and we begin our journey to our hotel. I can see the curve of the famous river Tiber while we are driving over the A 91, and after 10 minutes I can see the bright lights of the eternal city twinkling in the distance. I feel a little excited I wonder if we will pass the Colosseum. I always wanted to see it up close. Maybe I will even have time to visit it.
16 minutes later, we are at the heart of the city and I see the Colosseum flash by. It looks even more amazing this close by than anything I have ever seen on a picture. I take out my phone and quickly snap some pictures to send to my mom, Jose, and Kate. I hardly notice that the lights of the city are starting to disappear in the distance. The car turns on to another freeway and picks up speed again. Apprehension sets it my stomach. Where the hell are we going? I thought we were staying in Rome?
"Sawyer, where are we going?" I ask, hardly masking the creeping anxiety that I am feeling.
"To our sleeping accommodations Miss Steele." He replies coolly seemingly unfazed by the tone of my voice.
"I thought we were staying in Rome." I say a little accusatory.
"Mr. Grey feels Rome is too busy. He prefers a more quiet town." Sawyer says and shrugs his shoulders.
The little voice that warned me about this strip is blaring in my head again, and for the first time since Ray's diagnosis, I feel scared again. We drive for another 40 minutes until the car finally stops in front of a large iron wrought gate that immediately swings open. The car slowly drives over a long driveway that leads to a magnificent 16th-century villa. The lawns on the grounds are meticulously kept, and a large fountain spews water gracefully out of a lion's head. Four Corinthian pillars stand perfectly symmetrical like eternal sentinels at the front of the house. The large oak doors swing open and an elderly gentleman dressed in a butler's suit comes out.
"Good evening Miss Steele. My name is Giani and I am the butler of Villa Montferrat." He says with a thick Italian accent. Oh, maybe this is one of those very private and expensive hotels that only the rich can afford. I sigh in relief.
"Thank you." I stammer politely.
"Carlo will bring your luggage to your room." He says and points at a younger man who moves to the back of the car.
"I understand you are tired from flying. Therefore, I won't hold you for much longer. Breakfast is at eight every morning, lunch is at one, and dinner is at six sharp." He says and smiles at me.
"Ok, I will remember that." I mutter.
We walk into the house and I am surprised to see no reception desk anywhere in the building. The floors are white marble and the walls are ordained with countless works of art. It is absolutely stunning. We walk up a large spiral staircase and Giani stops in front of one of the rooms.
"This is your room. The bathroom is through that door on your right. You can always call me if you need anything." He says casually while I am trying to absorb the magnitude of the room. There is a large dark wood canopy bed with red drapes in the center. A roaring fireplace sits directly in front of it. There is a dresser, two nightstands, and a huge mahogany closet. The entire room feels like something a fairy tale princess would sleep in.
"Thank you, Giani." I reply wanting to freshen up and jump in that very inviting looking bed.
He wishes me a good night and leaves me to my own devices. I open the bathroom door and again I'm amazed. A large oval marble bath on golden legs stands in the middle of the room, and two dark marble sinks with the largest mirror I have ever seen stand to the side. I quickly take my toothbrush out of my bag, brush my teeth, and wash my face. I take my clothes off and put on my PJs, ready to jump into that bed. Absentmindedly I open the bathroom door and let out a scream.
"Good evening Miss Steele." A deep all too familiar baritone voice startles me. Two intense gray eyes burn into my skull, casually observing me from the canopy bed like it is the most normal thing in the world.
"Mr. Grey. What are you doing here?" I stammer.
His mouth curls into a slow predatory smile. He gracefully moves of the bed and casually prowls towards me. Fear settles in my gut and I crawl back against the wall away from him.
"I think you know Miss Steele." He replies acidly. His voice is ice cold and menacing.
The fear spreads from my gut enveloping every inch of me. It feels like I am drowning in a large empty sea. Keep them talking keep them talking the self-defence mantra that Ray thought me kicks in but deep down I know it will do nothing to help me out of this situation.
