All rights to the characters and story of FSoG belong to E. L. James
(You all know me by now & that means you should not need a warning about the length of this chapter)
To Trust, or Not To Trust, That Is The Question:
Thursday, August 27th, 2015
Seattle, Washington
There are three things that I am certain about.
I have eyes.
My eyes are blue.
My blue eyes are wide as saucers.
I feel spellbound. Perhaps this is my own personal fairy tale and I should be sleeping throughout the ages, as Maleficent had wanted Sleeping Beauty to do. My mind is stuck on pause and while I see her mouth moving, I lack all ability to process her words.
Call me naïve, call me jaded, call me another person who believed no one would cross Christian Grey; yes, if you do call me those things, you would be correct. It takes a few minutes to realize this woman is not here to wave a magic wand and turn my pumpkin carriage of a life into a crystal slipper. I gulp down the amazement I feel as I watch the person who dared to leave the reservation and broke the golden paper that Christian Grey lives by- an NDA to protect his secret world. It has been broken, torn in half, and thrown in a shredder. My shredder to be exact.
Gail Jones Taylor sat beside me on the navy blue tufted sofa that rests in front of the huge glass wall on the far end of my office. The longer we held each other, the harder we cried, and I felt the dread of letting her go. I have no idea how long we sat there and talked.
Gail comforted, apologized, commiserated, and confessed. I questioned, answered, evaded, and dawdled on the edge of lying.
If I was not touching Gail or unable to smell her favorite Victoria's Secret spray, Love Spell, I would not believe she was here. I would have never expected her to admit the things she has. Telling me things I already knew, things that I suspected, and shaken a certain trust I had. This trust has been crushed; in a manner of destruction that only an earthquake could rival.
Around an hour prior, after a long afternoon of boring department head meetings at Grey Publishing, Hannah calls due to an unexpected situation.
"Mrs. Grey, there is a Mrs. Gail Taylor down in the lobby. She is quite insistent with her request to see you. What should I tell reception?"
It is only when I glance at both my work and cell phone that an antenna of curiosity and suspicion is rapidly in the air. Gail could have easily called me. Months of playing super spy now has me questioning why Gail would want to see me. I feel horrible at the thought.
"Tell those idiots to send her up immediately and then add her name to the list of people to be granted access to this floor," I say in frustration. "Yes, Mrs. Grey." Hannah quickly replies.
I grab my stick of cherry Chap Stick, smear some across my lips, and try to grasp a scenario that could have possibly brought Gail to my office.
I can feel Luke's gaze on me. I deeply sigh when I do acknowledge him. Luke has lowered the newspaper he was reading and looks as if I owe him an immediate explanation. Better yet, as though I have an obligation to fill him in on my unexpected visitor.
I dismissively shake my head. "What?" I snap at him.
A little over a month ago, I was graced with the unexplained presence of a female CPO named Prescott. For some ungodly reason this woman was placed to work alongside Luke and I have had to endure Prescott following me inside restrooms. I have beaten my head against Luke's eight pack for an answer, although he claims that he does not know. What I know is that Luke has been so overprotective of me this past month that I feel suffocated. Prescott, with a body to rival any wrestler in the WWF has only added to that sense of being suffocated. There are times my mind flits to the fact Luke attends Taylor's daily security briefings and that as my personal CPO, his confusion over Prescott's appearance screams bullshit. Why I have not paid attention to knowing that is also bullshit. I would wonder why Kate's mind would not have noticed it but she is dealing with a newborn and a tad bit of the baby blues.
I have also demanded Christian tell me why he added Prescott to my security, but he remains his typical elusive self. I assume his refusal to tell me the truth is entangled in anger. The only time we are physically around one another is around his family and to attend a social event he is obligated to attend. These encounters are becoming increasingly strained and uncomfortable. Despite the obvious, yet never spoken aloud, our separation has seemingly been accepted within his family and with my dad. I have often caught Christian staring at me as if I am a steak and he is a starving man. On a few occasions, he has surprised me by taking my hand as we ride in the back of the SUV. Christian continues to text, email, and calls me regularly throughout the day; yet we never mention the elephant in between us. I am giving him what he must surely want and he is fucking with my head appearing that he does not want to let go. Lately Christian's behavior has left me confused and uncertain, although I cannot pin point what I am uncertain about.
Luke exhales deeply. "Who is on her way up to see you?" He asks.
I lower my voice in case Prescott can hear me from her location outside my office door. I do not like her nor do I trust her. A lack of trust has insidiously made its way into my life lately.
"Gail." I whisper in a conspiratorial voice. Luke looks genuinely surprised and if my spidey sense is correct, he is displeased.
"Do you know why she's here? Have you spoken to Gail since she moved to Escala?" He asks me in a voice that can best be described as weird.
"No, I do not know why she is here," I am answering his question despite feeling how odd he sounded, "and no I have not talked to Gail in months."
Before he responds, I hear Prescott giving Gail a hard time outside of my office. Going to the door in a flash, I swing it open, glaring at Prescott.
"This is Gail Taylor and she can see me anytime. Never question her again." I bite at Prescott maliciously. Fucking Jolly Green Giant of a woman.
"Yes, Mrs. Grey." If I bothered Prescott by publically chastising her, her stupid, impassive expression does not allow it to show.
I turn to Gail and her appearance gives me a moment of pause. She is dressed casually even though it is a weekday and I know how anal Christian is about the appearance of his employees. Gail is wearing beige slacks and a black and beige short sleeve top. Her off-white sandals match her oversized purse. I am giddy with happiness just by her presence. I have missed this woman being a part of my life. Then I notice Gail's tentative and barely noticeable tremulous smile that she is giving me.
"Oh, Gail, come in! It is so good to see you. I have missed you so much!" I say while throwing my arms around her after she is in my office and I have closed the door.
Gail pats me on the back in a way that one does a child. My spidey sense is not needed to realize Gail is not acting like herself. It is then I wonder why she is not at work over at the penthouse.
"It is good to see you, Mrs.… I mean, Ana. You have no idea how I have missed you," She says quietly.
I release her from our embrace and Gail glances around the office and spots Luke. She does not attempt to hide the animosity I recognize in her eyes. This confuses me since Gail always adored Luke. What in the hell is going on?
"Ana, may we speak privately?" She begins briskly, "I need to discuss some things with you."
I am facing Luke who is visibly unhappy by her request. I raise my eyebrow as a warning and he strides to my office door and stops to acknowledge Gail.
"How are you, Gail?" He asks.
Surprisingly, Gail nods at him curtly. "I am fine." She does not bother to look at him. I watch Luke retreat from my office and shut the door behind him. The door to my confusion remains wide open.
I motion toward my sofa. "Let's sit here, Gail. I am so glad you came by and I apologize reception gave you a hard time. You should have called and I would have told them to allow you up here."
We sit and Gail places her bag on the floor. "I really do not think a phone call would be a good idea right now -I wanted to speak with you in person," She says with a sigh.
Gail's face is simultaneously sad and determined. I am well aware of what Gail has been a witness to for the past two months, yet I cannot give that away. I have zero doubt that is why she is here, even if I would never expect her to rat Christian out. What she has said about not trusting making phone calls surprises me. What in the fuck is that about?
"Would you like something to drink, Gail?" I murmur, but Gail cuts me off.
"No, Ana, I am fine. Well, I am trying to be fine. Ana, what I want to talk about is private and that is why I wanted Sawyer to leave."
Oh, shit. I am sure I have a small and weird smile on my face.
"Oh? That is fine, Gail. Are you all right? You look terribly upset…Nothing has happened to Jason has it?" I ask despite the fact I could not care less if something happened to Jason Taylor.
Her eyes beginning to water, Gail grabs my hands and shaking her head.
"I assume Jason is fine. We have not spoken in days. That will be explained after I say…rather tell you…tell you something." Gail's voice breaks and I have a sneaking suspicion of an oncoming eighteen-wheeler.
"Gail, what is it? What is wrong? You are actually scaring me."
I always knew the choices Jason had made would affect Gail. I never suspected how deep that impact would be and Gail's demeanor is scaring me.
"Ana, you know that I would never lie or deceive you, don't you? She asks breathlessly.
"Yes, God, yes, I know that!" I whisper.
"On the first evening back at Escala, I found things were not as we all believed. My eyes were opened, I was shocked more than I have been in my life, and I have lain in bed at night weeping, trying to figure out what to do." I see the underlying pain in her eyes and I want to stab Christian Grey in his aorta.
Tears begin pouring from Gail's eyes and I use my free hand to wipe them away. Taking a bit of time to recover herself, Gail looks in my eyes and I fall back into the plush sofa.
I would do anything to avoid this conversation. I would do anything to keep from watching Gail struggle with her own betrayal. She has been my trusted friend, a sensible mentor in the hardship of everyday life, and the mother that Carla will never be. However, life is not a chalkboard and I am not an eraser who can wipe away Jason Taylor's betrayals. Christian's betrayals are like wet blood he smeared all over Taylor, although Taylor is responsible for what he chose to do next.
I cannot find an adequate question or comment regarding her statement. If I had a straw to grasp that would aid in sorting out this mess, then I would grab it. Nevertheless, there is not one, I remain silent, and Gail continues.
"Please forgive me for asking you a question…a personal question. May I ask you one?" She whispers.
I shake my head no, tuck my hair behind my ear, and whisper as Gail had. "No, I do not mind."
Her eyes shine with fear and disappointment. Regret flickers through and looks like the regret in a mother's eyes when her child's heart is a breath from being devastated.
"I know Mr. Grey's father forced him to leave the house. I do not doubt you wanted me to be with Jason. What I want to ask is if the situation with Elena Lincoln is the real reason you have not taken Mr. Grey back?"
Gail's eyes settle on my left ring finger and seem to be examining it, the meaning behind it, perhaps knowing it does not belong there.
Sighing, I look away. Feeling stuck between the truth and my unwarranted feelings of not trusting Gail, I do not answer. She nods, knowing that I answered her question with my silence.
"Ana…I think your silence answered my question. Regardless, I am compelled to inform you of recent events. This is not easy to say and it sure as hell will not be easy for you to hear," She replies in a shaky voice. Oh, shit. Christian knows.
"Gail, stop…Are you about to break Christian's NDA?" I know that if I look as panicked as I sound then I am fucked.
My heart is thumping in my throat. I know what Gail is about to tell me. I also know she could be fucking up with her husband. Sighing, Gail reaches into her oversized bag, pulls out a rather worn out piece of paper, and hands it to me. It is the NDA Christian had her sign a decade ago. Signed on a day long ago, so long ago…so many wet Seattle nights have passed by.
"Do you mean this non disclosure agreement? She asks in a brutal ton of voice.
"Yes," It is the only word that I am able to croak out.
Gail takes the paper and tears it in half. I am as still as a cat perched in front of a window on a warm summer day.
Holy fuck.
"Do you have a shredder, Ana? It is time to shred this piece of shit." Gail says harshly.
I have never heard Gail swear. Never heard her speak so boldly or so freely.
I hesitate for a moment. "Yes, of course, but right now I want an answer…"
Standing, Gail shakes her head and finds the shredder. Within a moment, her long-standing promise to Christian Grey is nothing but bits of paper. She returns, takes both of my hands, and offers me a small smile. I am blown away by her behavior and her strength. Oh, Gail.
She slowly shakes her head that reflects a mourner at a funeral. "I do not want to hurt you. Nevertheless, as a woman and as a wife…especially as a woman who feels protective of you and wants you happy, I have to do this," she states slowly, "Forgive me, but I have to."
I have no clue how to speak. I am holding my breath and a simple nod is all I can manage. Gail exhales loudly before beginning to speak. I feel as if she is about to lift the stage curtain on the play that is my life.
"You may recall the day I went to Escala was a Friday. As you also remember, prior to marrying Jason, I would leave for the weekend, although after we married that changed. Well, the Friday evening of my return to Escala a guest arrived." Gail sounds as though she has taken my hand and is leading my mind back into the past.
I say nothing. I know that I am about to hear how Gail met Haley Sams; the enigma of a woman that I have yet to meet and whom I know everything about.
"When I heard the elevator arrive, I assumed it was Jason and Mr. Grey; after all it was nearing dinner time. Then… The voice of a woman asked who I was. I was washing a glass, my back was to this person, and her voice caused me to jump. I turned around and there stood a petite young woman." Gail murmurs and then pauses so we can both catch our breath, "The same type of petite, brunette young women I watched flow in and out of Mr. Grey's life prior to meeting you. Ana… My heart broke the very moment my eyes landed on this woman. I knew what she was."
I feel the blood drain from my face. Gail must notice because she kisses my hands. She is comforting me and I do not know what to say or if I should admit to knowing all about Miss Haley Sams. My continued silence prods Gail along.
"Ana, I wanted to do two things; kill the whore and call you. I rudely informed her I was Mrs. Taylor, to which she replied, "As in the wife of Taylor?" The hairs on my neck stood up when it occurred to me if she knew Jason then he knew her. Then she said, "After all these months, I had no idea that Taylor was married." My mind kept repeating, "After all these months." I was stunned when it really sank in while I stared at this woman; it meant Mr. Grey was cheating on you. Not only cheating on you, Ana, he was back to his old ways with those types of women. Then it hit me that Jason was aware of it." She says in a hoarse and darkened voice.
I inwardly cringe thinking of how Gail must have felt in that moment. It must have been a mixture of shock, realization, hurt, then anger. Gail had felt exactly as I had on that April afternoon.
"What," I have to clear my throat before I can continue. "What happened then?"
"She stared at me in confusion and finally set her little suitcase down and introduced herself to me," Gail replies. "Her name is Haley Sams, Ana. She is twenty-three years old and works at Canlis, although I'm not sure in what capacity."
Gail stops talking while I gnaw on my bottom lip and wonder what in the fuck I could possibly say.
"Do you want me to continue with the mundane details of our initial encounter or what has been going on these past months?"
"Just tell me what happened immediately after that and Christian's reaction when he first saw you and this woman together," I reply. I try to offer her a smile of reassurance but fail miserably.
"Miss Sams asked me why I was in the kitchen. I told her that I was Mr. and Mrs. Grey's housekeeper and personal cook. She sarcastically smirked when I said; Mrs. Grey and I had to turn my back to keep myself under control. She told me it was nice to meet me and then the elevator arrived. You see, I never informed Jason that I was following him to Escala that day. Jason and Mr. Grey walked into a shocking surprise," Gail says roughly. "You should have seen their faces when they saw me with his little brown-haired girl. I thought Jason was going to cry. Mr. Grey froze and that sick woman quickly looked at the floor. I nearly threw up! Mr. Grey rubbed his face as if he were trying to scrub something off it. That man looked horrified and no one uttered a syllable."
Ah, another well paid whore with an attitude. We will see if you still smirk at me in a few days, Miss Sams.
"And then?"
I would probably feel I was watching a cheesy Spanish soap opera if this was not another chapter in the demise of my pathetic marriage.
"Mr. Grey abruptly told the woman to leave. Then he went to his study never looking at me. I went to the staff living quarters with Jason on my heels. It took a long time for him to admit about the obvious arrangement that Mr. Grey was having. When he told me it began in April, I was devastated. Ana, I am so sorry, if I had any idea….I would have told you, I swear. I would have never thought Jason would do this to you. You and Jason have always been close. You have always been to us both and I am devastated Jason would hurt you like this…Not even for Mr. Grey."
"Gail, do not apologize for something you were not aware of. It is what it is," I reply and shrug my shoulders. Gail raises an eyebrow. There is no longer any doubt; Gail knows that I am fully aware of what Christian has been up to.
"Ana, there is so much more that I know…but the question is whether or not you need to know," She replies.
I do need to know. I need to know desperately.
"Just tell me what's been going on." Gail is no fool. She knows that knowledge is power.
"The following Monday Mr. Grey told Jason he would no longer need us on the weekends. We all know it is because Miss Sams will be there and he is ashamed for me to see it. He has barely spoken to me these last two months and when he does, he cannot look me in the face. I only speak to him when necessary. It has been hell and I only stayed because I was trying to forgive Jason for keeping this from me. He lied for months," she chokes out the last part and my heart breaks. "However, I will fast forward to the worrisome events that have the security team scrambling for answers."
"Yes, please. Go on, Gail, but take your time," I reply. I am the reason that Christian's security team is scrambling and while the thought amuses me, I am interested in hearing it from those bastard's point of view.
"Mr. Grey discovered that someone got in his study and broke into a file cabinet and his safe. The only things taken were information and pictures about his prior weekend guests. Mr. Grey lost his mind and the security team along with Barney from GEH stopped at nothing to discover who did it. Whoever gained entry was able to manipulate and scramble the CCTV cameras. Barney cannot even figure out how the perpetrator managed to pull that off. Mr. Grey screamed for three days and they still do not know who is behind it. Not to mention that Mr. Grey is tearing his hair out because they took information about his proclivities."
They have no clue. Thank fuck.
"I am sorry to say Mr. Grey extended his contract with that woman… Even if you were not in the picture, Ana, I would not care for her. She is a troublemaker, although discussing her is a waste of our time. As you know, right after someone broke into Escala; there was the next mysterious situation over that condominium. So far, it has been just like the files, no one can find out what happened."
Ah, I know where Gail is headed with this. I decide to ignore that Christian extended Haley Sams contract. However, why does Gail assume that I am aware of that condo being gutted?
Christian obviously met my construction buddies.
"So what happened after the break in?"
"Oh, I assumed that you knew, especially since your security detail has increased," Gail begins. "Ana, Mr. Grey owns a condominium not far from Escala. For the life of me, I could not figure out why he would do that. It just seemed strange. I digress, though. Mr. Grey went to this condominium one day and found a construction company had been hired to demolish the inside of the place. In fact, the day Mr. Grey showed up, the demolition was over, and the crew was in the middle of the clean up," She says.
"Christian bought a condo near Escala? Why in the world would he do that?"
"Oh, my dear…Taylor told me that condo was where Mr. Grey had been taking his subs to for…For years, Ana. I am so…"
I wrap Gail in my arms while she weeps. Her tears cause me to cry and she probably believes it is because I am finding this out for the first time. I comfort and remind her that she has nothing to apologize for. I also want her to get back to what she was telling me. Gail assumed that I knew why Prescott was up my ass. Why?
"Hush, Gail, please. Stop apologizing, okay? Take your mind off Christian and his sick behavior and tell me the rest of this mystery that the Hardy Boys have been trying to solve?"
"Well, it is like I said concerning the break in. Not a soul in Mr. Grey's camp can find out who hired this company. They did find out an anonymous man commissioned the construction company and they paid via a wire transfer. Barney has not been able to ascertain where the wire transfer came from. Everyone is running into a concrete wall and cannot figure out who is behind all of this. I have never seen Mr. Grey so crazed. Taylor believes that something horrible is going on around Mr. Grey; he believes someone is privy to his secrets and is about to publically expose him. Paranoia has engulfed Mr. Grey, Taylor and all of security, plus Welch and all the way down to Barney." Gail whispers.
"And they have no idea whatsoever as to whom it could be? Have Christian or Taylor considered that Elena Lincoln is behind all of this?" I ask.
Gail is nodding at me. "Yes, and Taylor believes that even though she's getting ready to make a plea deal, she could have someone doing this for her. It is no secret she was not pleased that Mr. Grey refused to help her legally when she was arrested. Regardless of who is behind it, they consider it a threat of the upmost importance since they are aware of Mr. Grey's lifestyle. They are combing through every ex submissive Mr. Grey ever had since they would obviously know about him. Mr. Grey is now afraid that someone is going to try to hurt a member of the Grey family."
Contemplating Christian and Taylor's way of thinking leaves me confused. Instead of worrying about someone hurting his family, shouldn't they be concentrating on someone out to hurt Christian?
"I know that this horrible situation with you and Mr. Grey has had to put a gap between you, Ana. Just rest assured that Mr. Grey is keeping you safe, although that isn't a secret to you since your detail has been increased," she says and offers me a small grin. "I can picture your face when you first saw Prescott, but Sawyer insisted that she had to be the female CPO on you."
My face must surely be as blank as my brain is right now. They have been freaking out assuming that a masked intruder broke into Escala and stole all of Christian's dirty little secrets. The whore factory has been demolished and has taken freaking out to a whole other dimension, causing Christian and Taylor to jump to a conspiracy theory and now I have a gigantic woman named Prescott following me to the bathroom. A gigantic woman that one of my best friends insisted she had to be my female CPO. Luke, one of my best friends that I have asked repeatedly about Prescott and he lied to my face about it.
Holding up my hand, I gesture for her to stop. I need Gail to confirm what she just said and when this bullshit started. How long did Prescott arrive on the scene after Luke insisted on her joining my detail.
"When was this, Gail? The need for extra security, that is?" I ask.
"The very day that they found out about Mr. Grey's little hideaway."
Both of the unfortunate events that befell on Christian were a month ago…Perhaps a little over a month ago. Shit, what day did that crew start the demo on the best little whore house in Seattle?
I do not like the direction my mind is going. Luke, insisting on an unwarranted female CPO. Luke lying to about it for weeks. Luke around Taylor every day at security briefings. Is he playing them? On the other hand, is he playing me?
"From the look on your face, I see that you had no idea why Prescott was added to your detail," Gail tells me cautiously. "This means I need to let you know you are being covertly watched as well."
Gail's words feel like the pin that punctured the balloon that I am. Nearly every word she has told me is nothing new to me. However…Luke…Prescott…Lies…Covertly followed?
Think, Ana, think. Think when, where, how? Add it all up and put it together. You knew Luke was around Taylor and Christian every morning since that shit afternoon in April. Why in the fuck did I not pay more attention to this new shit situation the minute I saw Prescott? I ignored it and let it go.
Prescott appeared on the scene right after I returned from New York. Luke claimed that he had no clue why Taylor had added the woman to work with him. Fuck. Why did I not realize that since Luke is Taylor's right hand man that Luke would know everything? Hell, did I place so much trust in Luke that I was blinded to the fact that he would have no idea why Prescott was listening to me piss? He kept this from me and when I asked him what this was all about, Luke lied to my face. Repeatedly lied to my face. If Luke knew all of this, what else does he know? What all did he know from day one? What if he is actually working with Christian and telling him everything?
I have no way of knowing because I have just discovered that I can no longer believe a fucking word that exits the mouth of Lucas Sawyer. That son of a bitch.
"No, Gail, I do not know anything about this. When I asked Luke what was going on, he told me he had no idea," I reply.
"You should have known not to believe him, Ana. They have security briefings everyday and everyone is aware of what is going on. I do agree you should have more security with these strange occurrences, although you should not have been kept in the dark about it. That is such typical Christian Grey behavior. Maybe Sawyer did not tell you because he didn't want to worry you. I know that you and Mr. Grey are not on the…best of terms right now, but when you are together, doesn't he mention any of this?"
I am still feeling the tidal waves of Luke's deception rolling over me and am barely paying attention to what Gail is saying. Placing my hands in my hair in order to pull it out, I think better of it and snap out of my lone thoughts. Poker face, Ana. Poker face.
"Gail, when I am with Christian these days we engage in chit chat and talk shop over Grey Publishing. Every picture you have seen of us at some damn social function is for public appearances. Our marriage is exactly as you believe it to be." I say this and sigh deeply. Gail compassionately gazes at me.
"Ana, I came here to tell you more than I have and I am just going to say it all at once. Is that okay? I cannot bear to say things I know will hurt you, but I have to let you know this." Gail says. "I cannot leave without you being informed. I just cannot." She says. Her voice is so sad.
"Go ahead, Gail. I would prefer it that way. Please, just rip off the band-aid."
"There have been five subs during your marriage, Ana. Mr. Grey returned to his previous lifestyle only months into your marriage." Gail's words are an explosion of violent air. They are rushed and tortured and evidence of how long she has suffered with finding a way to tell me. Hearing this from Gail kills me.
I cannot feel guilty for sending her to Escala that day as her husband had gone with Christian. I cannot help that she knows what Christian has been doing. This is all on Christian and then it trickles down to Jason.
I stand up, pacing my office, and try to decide how I should best respond. I trust Gail, although I cannot place all of my eggs into one basket. I have to keep my mouth shut and do not even ask her how she knows. I have no other choice but to steer the conversation back to her.
"Gail, why haven't you spoken to Taylor in several days?"
Her shoulders shake as she begins sob, shuddering with each rapid breath. We sit quietly and I rub her back for what feels like a very long time until Gail collects herself.
"Once all of this insanity broke out and Jason was working himself to death concerning security, I finally got the truth out of him. When I say the truth, I mean when I found out about all of the subs Mr. Grey has had throughout your marriage. Jason was aware of everything from day one. Day one meaning since 2013 and he kept it from me and lied to me all that time… Not only did he lie and fool me, Ana, he lied and fooled you as well. As I see it, he is no better than Mr. Grey is. I have spent over a week deciding what I should do and I know that I could not be married to a man that I cannot trust or a man who would allow you to be treated and made out to be a fool. I packed up and left Escala. My resignation is on the kitchen counter. I left a letter to Jason telling him my lawyer would be in touch."
Oh, shit. Christian, look what you have caused. You have hurt so many innocent people. Couldn't you just have hurt yourself?
"Please, Gail, no! Do not allow my marriage to interfere with your own!"
"This is not about your marriage, Ana. It is about trust." She replies.
Mother fucking shit. I have to let this information absorb before I can say anything else.
"Gail, you know they have someone following you and know that you came here and have probably told me all of this."
"I do not care. Do you, Ana?" She asks.
I tell her no, although I cannot help but worry that if Taylor and Christian know that Gail paid me a visit that she told me everything. Should I even worry about that? What do I do know? Trusting Luke is now impossible. How do I trust all of the security guys that he hired for me? If he is their boss, then they know the same shit that Luke does and have kept me in the dark as well. I cannot go to them for help. Whom can I trust at all anymore?
"No, Gail, I really do not give a fuck. What are you going to do now?"
"I am going to my sister's." She replies.
"Will you come work for me?"
Shaking her head slowly, Gail offers me a sad smile. "That house and everything in it would remind me of Jason. I mean no offense when I say this, Ana, but seeing you reminds me of Jason. I have to get away from the madness that has surrounded the last decade of my life. Do you know how many times I have had to clean that red room up? Can you imagine the disgusting things I have had to pick up and dispose of? All of the things I have walked in on with Mr. Grey and those women? I overlooked so much for so long because I thought that deep down Mr. Grey was a good man. Now…Now I know that he is not."
"Gail…"
She shakes her head at me. "No, Ana. Mr. Grey is not a good man and I am positive that you already know that. A good man would never do what he has done to you."
How can I disagree with that statement when I feel the same way? I was enamored with him when I met him at that photo shoot, I was blinded by charm that night at his club, and I fell in love with him on fucking Skype when he was out of the country. Then I was shown who he really was. Christian changed long enough for me to blink my eyelashes and I loved him so much that I never considered he would return to his old way of life. He changed before my blinded eyes and became a better person, although it was only for a moment. I thought the story of Christian Grey was about redemption. Now I see the story of Ana Grey was about crucifixion.
It is what it is and one man's decision led us all to this point. Christian's choices will affect so many lives that I cannot even begin to count them all. I suppose Gail and I are collateral damage and we part ways promising to stay in touch. Before leaving, she turns to me and is trying her best to smile.
"Ana, I want to tell you how proud I am of you. I am talking about the publishing house that is. I know that Mr. Grey had bought it and then turned it over to you; but you are the one who has turned it all around and made it so successful. You have made so much of yourself in such a short time and I am so proud of you. Do not worry, Ana. You are going to come out of this just fine," She whispers.
I feel as though the mother I never really had just abandoned me. My heart is broken.
I show Gail out of my office after a long hug and once we are done weeping. Shutting the door behind her, I lock it and flop down on the sofa. Hands over my face, a mind in a jumbled hell, and facing the question if I have surrounded myself with turncoats, hot tears pour down my face. I had finally achieved inner peace. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Yes, I have had to hold many hands in order to get here. Hands that have pointed me in which direction I ought to travel, hands that steadied me as I stumbled along my way, and hands that have comforted me while I bled all over them. I have been feeling more confident and sure of my own capabilities than I have in my entire life. I doubt myself now. Doubting that my confidence is nothing but smoke and mirrors and that the positive future I have planned is nothing but a mist-covered ghost. Perhaps I once again handed over my own fate to another and they played me for a fool as Christian Grey did.
Finally dragging myself to my feet, I look at my face in the mirror of my office bathroom. I look like a complete mess. Mascara has run down my face and I have no doubt that if Kate saw me she would kick my ass for not buying waterproof mascara. Splashing water on my face, I take a hand towel and just wash the disaster that is my face. There is nothing I can do about my swollen eyes. I feel as though there is nothing I can do about anything anymore.
Sitting behind my desk, I rub my temples and contemplate what I should do. Gail's words rattled me more than I have admitted to myself. I try to concentrate on the positive aspects of what Gail told me- Christian does not suspect me of anything. This eases my mind and is one less worry for me to harbor. Then there are Gail's words that leave no doubt in my mind about Luke. Luke?
Other than my dad, Luke is the only other man I trust. Rather, that I did trust. Luke has kept me in the dark over a situation that he fucking started himself. Did he think that would not bother me or was it that he thought that I would never find out? I asked him if he knew anything about why Prescott had been thrown upon us and he denied knowing anything every time I inquired about it. Why was I stupid enough to not realize that he would certainly know what was going on? Grey and his goons are going nuts over something and have shoved more security up my ass, yet Luke sat in their security briefings and never heard that mentioned? Yeah, right. Luke is my CPO and I deserve a right to know the slightest change that has anything to do with me. Shit! How could I still be so gullible? Still so fucking naïve and trusting?
Christian's inner circle running around like three blind mice surely has my husband feeling out of control. Like an out of control drug addict who cannot be without their drug of choice-BDSM. The thought depresses me. Not for me or what his addiction cost me, but for how Christian is trapped within an endless cycle. This endless cycle that is tearing apart other people's lives. Fuck, just, fuck.
It is now safe to say that every member of Christian's security team is aware of his extra marital activities and I look like a fucking idiot. Well, that is assuming they all didn't know from the get go.
I woke up this morning feeling empowered and in charge of my destiny and now; I feel embarrassed and like a fool. Not only has Luke been aware of this bullshit, so has every man on the security team that I hired as my own. Luke has sat beside this Prescott woman knowing she is nothing more than a spy for Christian and Taylor, but he also knows that another Grey goon has been following us around while Tom follows them! They all knew for over a month and lied to me. What else has Luke Sawyer kept from me? How many of my secrets has he told Taylor and Christian? Is this why Christian has not gone nuts on me about living apart or asking questions over my behavior, and demanding answers?
It is when I am lost in my thoughts that I hear someone trying to open my door and then Luke calling my name. I do not answer for several minutes while Benedict Arnold says my name repeatedly.
"I am busy, right now. Give me a second," I yell.
He can wait all day for all the fucks I give. I am going to confront him, he is going to lie, and the chips will fall as they may. All I know is that I am picking those chips up and will handle my own life from here on out. Kate may be recuperating from childbirth, but her mind is still a machine. Whatever step we come up for me to take next is what I will do and I will do it on my own. I am tired of playing around with other people's ideas about my life and future. I am fed up with playing Christian Grey's social Barbie doll. In fact, I have had enough of the pathetically fake life I have been allowing myself to live. I have been giving into Christian in order to keep his public persona spotless and without a scratch of impropriety. Fuck that and fuck him.
Yeah, this will cause a shit storm of epic proportions and I will be slammed with the media in my face for God knows how long; but I am doing this anyway. Let's watch Taylor, Grey, and the traitorous Luke deal with it. Grabbing a phone book, I quickly locate the number to the Seattle Times and grab my burner phone. Luke knocks on the door several more times as I inform a Times reporter about the demise of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Grey's marriage. Just to throw an interesting wrench in the mix, I also leave a sniff to the trail of Mr. Grey's extracurricular activities being the reason. It is time to start fucking with my husband.
Throwing my office door open, I walk to the center of my office with my arms folded and Luke on my heels. He takes one look at my face and his eyes tell me everything that I already know. There is no sense playing the did you or did you fucking not card at this point. He knows that I know and we are both playing chicken to see who makes the first move. I sure as hell know that it will not be me.
"Why do you look like shit?" He murmurs, standing directly in front of me. "Is everything okay? It looks like Gail upset you."
My murderous thoughts abandon me. Sighing deeply, I shake my head.
"We aren't playing this game, Luke," I say and step closer to him. "Admit it all and perhaps one day I will speak to you again."
He is wearing the stupid impassive look that I see on the faces of all of these douche bag security guys and I simply smirk at him. I am in his personal space. He smells good enough to eat and is handsome as a man could possibly be. I imagine that he can be a loving and carefree man who would probably go out of his way rather than hurt one that he loves. However, all I see or care about is that he is fucking liar and I cannot trust him. All that I hoped for was someone that I could trust. Someone to be my friend and give a shit whether I lived or died. This will be impossible to attain with Luke Sawyer since I will never believe a word out of his lying fucking mouth again.
"What did Gail tell you, Ana?"
I step from the fury I feel. I did not leave him any room to question me. Once Luke admits to being a traitor, I am leaving GP and going to God knows where. Fuck them all and fuck Seattle.
"I said that I am not playing this game with you. I will not waste another second looking at your face since I am about to walk out of this office building. I suggest you just spill your guts quickly." My voice is toneless.
Luke exhales and rubs the back of his neck. He feels guilty about his actions; he knows it was wrong.
"They haven't even given thought that you would do any of this, Ana," Luke says, exasperated. "I kept the security bullshit to myself to keep you from freaking out. Like you are right now."
"You just didn't keep bullshit information from me! You lied to my face whenever I would ask you why Godzilla out there was following me in a bathroom! You. Fucking. Lied. To. Me. In addition, you knew another one of Christian's fuckers was following us around. Was that your doing as well? I know that hiring Prescott was your idea!" I snarl at him.
My office is deadly quiet and I am sure I can hear Luke's heart strumming inside his chest. Moving away from him by a sudden surge of disgust, I sit down behind my desk and start throwing papers and other useless crap into my briefcase. I spot the burner phone and hurl it at Luke's head, although I miss it by a mile. He does not acknowledge it and sits on the edge of my desk.
"Yes, I lied to you and I lied every time that you asked me." He admits with a frown. "But I did it…"
"Why did you do it? Oh, wait. I know! You never wanted me to find out it was you who suggested that I have a female CPO! Luke, we know that I do not need another CPO! We are the one that is doing this shit! That itself leaves me with quite a few questions." I am growling at him like a feral animal and while Luke has seen me behave in many ways these past months, this behavior is a new one.
He is lucky I am nowhere near a firearm. Of course, Luke would have me disarmed within seconds but that does not mean I could not have squeezed off a round before he did so. How could he do this to me? I trusted him with every thought I had and every word I spoke. Yet he was in the devil's den everyday and it never occurred to me that he was the type of man who would betray me this way. I thought he was better than that and had a heart and a conscience. I had spent so many hours over these past years trusting him with my personal safety and it all seems that his loyalty was elsewhere the entire time.
"Are you working with Taylor and Christian?" I ask in a soft-spoken voice that defies the screaming inside my soul.
Luke's eyes that had been locked on the floor suddenly dart to my face. His expression is incredulous and then full of anger. "Ana, why in the hell would…"
"Shut the fuck up!" I snap at him. "Gail told me what you bumbling bunch of idiots have been doing for over a month! You're going along with their stupidity and you're the one who helped do it!" I scream in his face.
"Ana, you know I have to go along with the team. I cannot give anyone an inch to doubt me and you have known this all along! Fuck, what did you expect me to do? Tell Taylor that Grey's idea to place a female CPO on you was stupid?" He asks. "I chose Prescott because she knows her shit."
I throw my head back and what sounds like a laugh mixed with a scream exits my throat. I shake my head in frustration.
"Do you honestly believe that is the issue? Luke, are you a complete idiot or are you playing dumb to pull one over on me?"
Luke actually looks shocked at my outburst. "Playing dumb? What the fuck, Ana?" He starts to say, gets off my desk, and stands to his full height.
"I will lay this out to you very simply. First, you lied repeatedly when I asked you what is going on. You are the one who added Prescott to me. You knew there was some fool following me. You now have the guys you hired for me lying as well. And the important part is that your lying behavior points to you being a fucking spy for Christian!"
I am beyond livid and approaching levels of incoherency. The word liar is on repeat in my head as I look at Luke. He betrayed me. Luke is nothing but another man who has betrayed me and I want to leave here and never be near him again.
"Are you out of your ever loving mind? A spy? You think that I am working for Grey and lying to you. You actually believe I would have done all of this for you if I was up Taylor and Grey's ass?" He spits through gritted teeth. "Who carried you in their arms while they walked into Kate's house the day you found out, Ana? Hmm…who?"
I roll my eyes at him. "Like that fucking counts for shit."
Luke has placed his hands on my desk, bending over to look me in my anger-filled eyes. His shock is full of a raging anger and I am unbelievably blown away that he thinks he can get away without owing up to lying to me.
"I only know that you lied to me over and over," I reply quietly and pause before finishing. "You know that I do not deal with liars. I have been lied to for too long. I handed you every thread of trust that I had and you fucked it off. I can no longer conceive whom I can trust, Luke, but since you have proven yourself a liar, I know I no longer trust you." I whisper.
"I am sorry that I lied. I honestly have no reasonable explanation why I did other than I felt I fucking had to, but for you to say that I am working with Grey…"
For the first time, I look at Luke and feel like weeping. "Can you comprehend how much you have hurt me?" I ask him.
Luke's expression is one of regret and pain. For a moment, I think his arm had moved in order to touch me. "Ana, I am…"
"Fuck it." I spit out. Grabbing my briefcase and purse, I stand up and face him, sighing deeply. "I am ready to leave now. Go get your he-she and take me home."
Storming through my door, I look down at Prescott and throw her an angry glare. I hope the cunt heard every word. "Get off your ass. I'm ready to go home now."
Neither Luke nor Prescott utters a word on the drive home.
Knowing an entire flock of Grey goons fills the security office, I storm toward the room, throwing my briefcase into it. Prescott disappeared like Casper the fucking friendly ghost, although Luke is planted right behind me. I burst into the room full of dumb fucks that are probably loaded up on steroids and my eyes land on the slime ball Reynolds. I am gripping my phone, ready to do as planned if they do not pay heed to what I am about to order them to do. I see nothing but red and the shit load of bastards who have followed my every move for over three years now. It is time to take my life back.
"I want every single one of you out of my home and I mean right now. Each piece of foul shit that you happen to be are fired. If you dare say that you are employees of Christian Grey, please remember my name is also on your paycheck. If you do not get up off your lazy asses this very moment, I am fully prepared to dial 911 and have you physically removed as trespassers. Do I make myself fucking clear?" I say, walking around the room and looking down on each of their shocked faces. To my raging fury, I catch Reynolds pulling out his phone, probably to call Taylor. I storm my way to him, hesitating before growling out my words.
"Put down the fucking phone that I pay for you to use, you sick mother fucker and get your ass off of my property." I lean over him and show him that I have already punched in the number nine.
Reynolds looks to Luke as though Luke can offer an explanation. I feel Luke's hand gently take my elbow and I pull my arm away and swing around to him.
"This includes you, Sawyer. Get your shit and get the fuck out of here. I am not fucking around with any of you. This God-awful house is mine and you are trespassing. I will call 911 and then Carrick Grey and get restraining orders against each one of you. Do I make myself clear or do I need to speak slower so that you dumb fucks are able to understand what I am saying?"
"Mrs. Grey, this is not a good idea and I need for you to calm down," Luke says.
"No, Sawyer. This is the best idea I have had in a very long time and I do not have a reason to calm down. Do yourself a favor and tell your buddy Reynolds to follow you as you get the hell out of my home." I reply and raise an eyebrow at him.
"Mrs. Grey, please." He replies.
The silence that surrounds us is profound and drips emotion. Reynolds and the other men continue to stare at me as if I have lost my mind. Luke's expression is blank. There is no doubt that he realizes he fucked up and that I truly believe he has betrayed me; that he is a turncoat and the fact has pushed me too far. I meet his eyes steadily to tell him that his thought is correct.
Turning back to the idiots in the security office, I look at my watch and realize that I am burning daylight.
"I am going upstairs and when I come back down, you had all best be gone. Call Taylor and tell him what is going on and I will tell him to fuck off as well. Now get the fuck out of my home."
Retrieving my briefcase from the floor, I storm past Luke and kick myself for trusting Grey's flunky.
Going into my walk in closet, I grab a small suitcase and throw in enough clothes to last me for a few days. My phone rings within one minute-Christian's ringtone. The synapses in my brain are firing at a rapid rate and I realize that I cannot give him too much information. Nevertheless, screw him and his edicts toward my very existence. Christian Grey does not fucking own me.
"What?" I breathe into the phone, practically unable to speak.
Naturally, Christian is screaming at the top of his lungs.
"What the fuck are you playing at, Anastasia? You cannot fire and run security off! They are on my payroll and I am the only one that can fire them! What in the hell is wrong with you?" You cannot be without a security detail!" He screams.
I imagine his face is blood red and the veins of his neck are showing and pumping away furiously, pulling at his hair. I do not even give a fuck to wonder why in the shit he even cares about my safety.
"My name is on their paychecks and gives me every right to tell them to get off this property. My property…The property in the name of Anastasia Steele Grey. Did you forget that, Christian?"
"Anastasia…" I can hear the warning in his tone.
"Shut up, Christian! I am not fucking done talking! You lied to me every time I saw you and asked you about Prescott! I am also aware that you have some dumb ass following me around! Tell me, Christian, what the fuck is up with all of that? Huh? Do you have anything you need to tell me?" I had started speaking in a whisper but by the time my rant was finished, my voice had risen to a crescendo.
Christian loudly exhales before he answers in a much calmer tone. He speaks to me as though I am a child and my impotent wrath spurs my need to tear this house apart with my own two hands.
"Anastasia, I chose to keep you from worrying about this situation. Call it lying if you wish," He says wryly. "Sometimes I need to be able to keep you safe without your questions…"
Pushing my bangs off my forehead, I shake my head. His lies know no bounds and all I want to know is why, why, why? Why does Christian keep dragging us both through this hell? This supposed boy genius has got to know that our marriage is over even if we have not discussed it. Why does he even want to stay married to me at all? What was his motivation in continuing our marriage despite preferring to beat and fuck a well-compensated whore? Am I some sort of beard to keep his family and the public at bay? God, someone explain this to me! I look at my suitcase on the bed and have an immediate urge to get the hell off this phone along with leaving this house. Whatever Christian decides to do with his gang of limp dicks is his business. I am leaving and after the media hits tomorrow Christian will be looking for a rock to hide under.
Scoffing at his words and rolling my eyes, I have to effectively shut him out of my mind. I have already let Christian rent too much space in my head. This has to stop and stop soon. My only relief is knowing there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
"Keep me safe, keep me safe from what? Oh, wait, you have never told me shit! What is with all of this added security, Christian? If I were stupid, I would miss the signals that you are awful paranoid about something! I am over this bullshit. Let your shadow Taylor order these fools to stay in an empty house. I am leaving and I am leaving alone. Have a great fucking night, Christian!" My reply is quiet and cautious since I am not sure if Christian has the ability to make my phone explode in my hand.
"You're not leaving that house, Anastasia! Do you understand me? Where in the fuck are you going, Anastasia? Do not leave…" Christian's loud and angry words are hot and seething.
"Good bye, Christian."
I cannot remember the last time that I hung up on my husband and I am not positive that I ever have. He calls me right back and I send it straight to voicemail, just as I do with the next ten times that he calls me. Sighing deeply, I nod at myself as though I need to give myself approval for getting the fuck out of here. I grab my phone and type a text to Kate.
"I'm headed to dads. Tomorrow will be a media shit storm & I am the unidentified close family friend. Do not & I mean this, DO NOT tell Luke shit. We cannot trust him. Hope you are feeling well. Text you when I get to dad's. Love u. xx"
Charlie Brown and friends are still in the security office. Once again, Christian and Taylor trumped me. Turning the corner, I make my way to the utility room where all of the car keys are kept. I grab the ones to my R8 and head to the door that leads to the garage. I find Luke there leaning against the door staring at me.
"Where do you think you are going?" He asks exasperatedly. I flip him off.
"Anywhere I want. I know that you and your boss think that I am a four-year-old idiot; you should be well aware, I am independent and can take care of myself. Now move." I say brusquely.
"Jesus, Ana. I may have lied to you about Prescott," He says in a strained voice. "But I am not working behind your back with Grey and you can trust me with your life."
I laugh bitterly and ignore his words. "Luke, please, move."
Luke's eyes never leave mine as he steps away from the door. I hear him sigh. "Ana, at least tell me where you are going?" He pleads.
"We both know that you will follow me. It will not take you long to figure out where I am headed," I say softly. "Luke, when you try to fall asleep tonight, know that you have broken my heart."
Two vehicles follow me to Montesano. My dad has no idea that I am on my way. Obviously, Christian knows since he finally quit calling. Somewhere along the exhausting road trip, Kate replied to my text message demanding answers. I want to hurry up and get to Ray's and decide to text her back once I have arrived. The drive to Montesano ends up being the best time I have had in ages. I fly all the way there, never driving slower than eighty miles per hour and I can only imagine how pissed off my two stalkers must be as they attempt to keep up with me. I know Luke is driving the SUV behind me and that he must be seething. He says I am the worst driver he has ever seen and refuses to ride in a vehicle that I am driving.
Christian had a lot of work done on the house I grew up in, however, I still recognize the original part of my childhood home. I am nearly on the porch when I spot my dad looking out the window at his late night guest and he turns on the front porch light. Opening up the screen door, Ray starts to smile until I burst into tears and drop my purse and suitcase on the floor. Angela comes up behind my father and shuts the door behind us. Dad was never comfortable with emotion or knowing the right thing to say and I feel his head turn toward Angela for help. Ray pats my back once I am in Angela's arms and all cried out. They appear quite puzzled as to why I have unexpectedly shown up so late at night.
Thirty minutes, two bottles of beer and meaningless bullshit pass us by. The longer I sit on the couch with my legs tucked underneath me, the calmer I begin to feel and finally relax. I know that Ray and Angela are waiting for me to explain what is going on. Ray pats me on the knee and asks me the million-dollar question.
"Honey, we sure are glad you came for a visit. I am worried though. Anastasia, you look paler than usual and I think you have lost ten pounds since we saw you two weeks ago. Don't give your old man the run around either. Tell your dad what is wrong with his girl." He says quietly.
Ray's presence and kind brown eyes are enough to either break me down into a pit of tears or lift me up to the heavens with laughter. The love my stepfather has so freely given to me is beyond measure. Now I have Angela and she is his female equivalent. Angela, who is sitting beside me, puts an arm around me, smiling. How I wish she could have been my mother.
"What happened?" She whispers.
Looking between the two of them, Angela strokes my hair and I realize that I have to make a snap decision. I had always assumed that I would keep Christian's infidelity from my dad. I would never tell him the exact truth of it all and I have a fear that Ray will shoot him. It takes a few moments before I come to a decision. This man put his life on hold until I was safely ensconced in college. He sacrificed so many things in order to take care of me, along with sacrifices I am positive I do not even know about. How could I ever have thought I should keep the truth from him? I would have never been able to disrespect his love by lying to him on a daily basis. I owe him too much.
"Daddy, I lied to you when you asked me why Christian had moved out,"
Ray offers me a small smile before saying anything. "I know you better than anyone, Anastasia Rose; of course I knew you were lying." He replies quietly.
Before continuing, I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "I am sorry…Sorry for lying to you both."
Angela remains silent. I can feel that she is aware this discussion is between my father and me, although she knows he cannot offer me the comfort that only a woman can, so she remains beside me.
"Did you come all the way out here to tell me the truth?" He asks.
"Yes," I admit slowly. "But you have to promise me that you will not go to Seattle and kill Christian. I am also here because I need you." I reply, sounding like a little girl.
Ray knows what I have just told him without actually saying the words. He leans back in his chair, rubbing his forehead and I hear him quietly mutter, "That son of a bitch."
"How long has it been going on?" He finally asks.
My blood feels like a rush of panic running through me. Knowing that I am about to admit an edited version of the truth to my father has nearly thrown me backward. If it was not for the undying devotion in his eyes and Angela wrapping her comfort around me, I would not be able to speak.
"For a long time, although that does not matter. I am no longer suffering delusions when it comes to Christian." I murmur.
Ray's anger reaches me from the recliner he is sitting in. He leans forward and takes my hand.
"Darlin', tell your daddy what you're going to do and what you need from me,"
I study this man. With his dark hair that is sprinkled with grey and his constant, kind brown eyes, he remains the most handsome man that I have ever seen. Ray's height and still muscular frame remind me of the Rhett Butler Margaret Mitchell so eloquently described. He will forever be my hero-the man who saved me. I know that I can depend upon him for anything. I know that I can depend on Ray and Angela for anything.
"I have divorce papers being drawn up and as for needing you, well, I found out that I cannot trust Sawyer." I hesitantly reply.
Ray's eyebrows furrow when I mention Luke. "What did Sawyer do, Ana? Why do you say you don't trust him?"
During some point as we were talking, Angela had gotten up and poured Ray a glass of bourbon. She takes her place beside me, but says nothing.
"That does not really matter," I mumble anxiously. "I need to ask you a favor…Actually ask you both a favor and if it's too much, I will understand."
Angela finally speaks up. "We will do anything you need, Ana. Just tell us what you want us to do," She tells me. There is no reason to look at her. I do not doubt her words.
"I left the house tonight. I cannot live under Christian's scrutiny or the thumb of his security any longer. Even though we've been living apart, Christian is still running my life."
Taking a second, I exhale deeply before continuing. All the while my dad and Angela's eyes are glued to my face.
"I want…No; I need for you both to accompany me back to Seattle for awhile. I can put us all up at the Fairmont if that is alright with you guys." I plead with them both, although pleading is unnecessary.
"When do you want to head out, darlin'?" Ray asks. My gratitude must surely glow through my sad smile.
"In a few days, dad. I called the Seattle Times today and tipped them off concerning the truth of my marriage. The next few days will be a media frenzy."
Ray nods at me and I believe it is pride that I see in his eyes. He stands and goes to the front door, opening it. I know that he is looking at the two SUV's in the yard and is positive that Luke is in one of them. Ray glares at both vehicles. Angela places an arm around my waist and we meet Ray at the door. The SUV's lights are off, the front porch's light is on, and I know that Luke and his co conspirator can clearly see us. Thinking of Luke sitting out there and picturing his face saddens me to the point of tears.
"Is that bastard Grey aware that you know he's been screwing around?" Ray's question is a growl.
Shaking my head no and running my hands over my face, I mumble no. Ray and Angela let my answer pass by in silence. The three of us continue to stare at the vehicles through the screen door.
"Well, that's a good thing." Angela says in a soft and motherly tone.
Then she lifts the arm that is not around my waist and flips off both of the darkened Audi's.
A/N
I discovered the hard way that my outline for this chapter was put together correctly, but the pivotal reasoning behind the chapter pretty much sucked. If it were not for my friend graypearls, I would have written myself into a corner that made no sense. Therefore, everyone thank graypearls for her sharp eye and intelligence. I would still be looking at what I had written and wondering why it did not fit or even sound realistic if it were not for her. So thank you graypearls. We only have a few chapters left and I believe the next chapter may be one you have been looking forward too. My husband is still recovering and I will write and update the next chapter when I can.-Anna