Chapter 7- The Picture

I have tried to sleep as much as I could I am no longer groggy and my head or stomach no longer hurts. I can tell that I am laying on a satin surface. My arms are really starting to hurt they are tied above my head and hooked through something and my hands feel like they are in handcuffs. I can feel a silky blindfold over my face. I start to cry because I am so familiar with all of these items. But they have never made me fell fearful. The only man I have ever loved has used similar feeling things on me when we were expressing our love for each other in his red room. Right now I am missing him so much that I don't want to have these things on because I know he is not with me. I know my tears are soaking the blindfold with my tears. I can close my eyes and see Christian coming up on me between my legs and I am tied and blindfolded. He kisses me and whispers I love you in my ear.

I hear a door open and I hear footsteps coming toward me. I can feel my whole body start to shake. I am afraid and my only thoughts of solace are of Christian. I know he is looking for me and he will find me. I feel some one sit down beside me. The voice is off like who ever it is, is talking through a cup. I have no idea who it is.

" Well Mrs. Grey I hope you had a comfortable night. There is no need to be frighten because no harm will come to you. You see I only want something from your husband and it's through you that I will get it. I promise you if he complies than no one will harm any part of you. "

" Please, I don't know who you are but, I know Christian will give you what ever it is you need. Please could you put my arms by my side they are hurting so bad and I really can't feel my hands."

" Mrs. Grey I will think about it. First I need to get a picture of you for your husband. I am so sure he would love to see a picture of you like this. Maybe first I should undress you for him. "

As I feel his hands beginning to undress me I start to cry and shake. I have never had any man but Christian take my clothes off or even see me naked. I don't want him to get a picture of me like this. He will fear the worse.

" Please just keep me dressed. I don't want him to think the worst when he sees this picture."

" But, the worse is not what is happening and if needs to imagine that then he will be more cooperative with me. "

I hear the camera and I also hear another person come in the room. It's another muffled voice but definitely another male. I start to feel sick again. I know they are both just standing there looking at me.

I feel a hand run down my cheek and I begin to cry harder.

" Please just leave me alone. Don't touch me. You said you would not harm me."

" I never said that. But, I am sure it was my colleague who told you that. I promise you he will not but, I will make no promises."

He leans over and kisses my cheek. Suddenly the other man yells at him.

" Leave her be. I want nothing to go wrong. She just a pawn not a toy for you. "

" Fine but can I get her dressed now that the pictures are taken. "

" No you will not be the one doing that. Go and get her she will help her dress and put her in a different position. We won't make her arms suffer anymore. "

They both leave the room and then I hear a third person come in the room. This time the voice is still muffled but I can tell it's a woman.

" Ok Mrs. Grey I am here to help you get dressed and hmmm where should we tie you know. We have a hard wooden table. But I am not so sure that it will be comfortable and I am sure you have never had to lay face down on one and get whipped. Or Mrs. Grey were you ever punished by your loving husband. "

" Please just put my hands down I can stay here I don't need to me moved. I would also like to be dressed. Could you please tell me why you all were doing this is it just because Christian has money or is there more to it? "

" Mrs. Grey I am not going to answer that but here lets put your hands down and I will tie them in rope and into the hooks at the bottom of the bed. First let me help you put this robe on."

She lets one hand out of the hand cuff and helps me to slip my arm in the robe and then the other. She pushes me back down and takes my hands and ties them down. She doesn't remove the blindfold. I hear her walk away and then I hear a door open and shut. The tears start to fall again. I just want to go home I want to feel Christian's arm around me and his voice telling me I am safe. I know he is probably blaming himself. I hate that they are going to send him such a picture it make him so mad and he will think the worst. I mean I hated it but at least they did leave me alone. I just wish I could tell who they are. I know there are at least three now. Two men and a woman. I decide it's time to try and sleep again at least now my arms are starting to feel better.

Christian-

I am laying on the office sofa not sleeping but feeling good that no one is bothering me. I hear my phone go off. I bet it's Elliot texting me seeing if I want to come home. I told him I would let Taylor know when I was ready. I walk over to my desk and pick up my phone. I see a txt message that is from a number I don't recognize might be one of the police detectives I open it up. I drop to my knees and get very sick before my eyes is a picture of my Ana tied up and blindfolded with no clothes on. I just can't breathe oh Ana baby I am so sorry. I have to find her. They better not have harmed or touched a hair on her head or beautiful body. I sit back and start crying I just can't believe I let this happen to her. I don't pick up my cell phone I get up and use my desk phone and I call Taylor and I tell him to come to my office I need to be taken to the park or where ever the police are. I can't stay in my office and wait for Taylor to get here. I grab my cell phone off the floor and put it in my pocket and I head out of the building to wait for him outside.

I see Taylor pull up and I jump in the vehicle. Taylor looks at me and I can tell he is concerned. I hold out my phone to him and tell him to look at the picture I had texted to me and I warn him that it is graphic so please be discreet.

Taylor takes the phone from me and pulls up the txts. I know by how he turns white that he has found the picture I was referring too.

" Sir, the FBI are at the apartment now. We will go and take them this picture looks like the user was blocked but they maybe able to help us locate it. If the phone is still in the users possession. "

Taylor hands me my phone back and we drive back to escape in silence. I know he is worried about Ana more now as I am. I just keep saying to myself as if she can hear me . Please be strong baby. I am coming to get you no matter what it takes you will be back home and safe with me again.

When we are back to the apartment I follow Taylor into his office where the agents are and we show them the picture They take some data off the phone so they can try and locate where the picture was taken.

" Mr. Grey we are going to follow the gps that is pulling up now on our apps. We want you to keep your phone and stay here incase they try and make contact with you again. We may have the location of the phone let's hope it leads us to your wife."

" I would like my security team Sawyer and Taylor to go with you. If you find Ana she will be more comfortable with them. Sawyer is her personal security and she trusts him immensely and so do I. "

" Yes sir that is fine. They can come along."

Sawyer comes over to me and shakes my hand I promise sir I will not fail Mrs. Grey again."

" Sawyer, please don't feel that way no one feels like you have failed her but I know that she will feel comfortable with you when I am not there. Please if you do find her send me a message I will come and help her. I want to be there. "

" Sir of course I will let you know right away of anything. I promise sir we will bring her home. "

They then all leave the apartment and I head out to the great room where my family and Ana's mom dad and Bob are sitting. I am so glad to see they all had made it here safe. I sit down and tell them about the picture I was sent I leave out some of the details I am sure they don't want to know she was wearing nothing. The thought haunts my mind.

" Christian oh my goodness did it say anything or just a picture? "

" Kate it was just a picture. I am hoping to hear from them again and soon. I want my Ana back. "

" Christian do you think any harm has come to her. Well I mean physical harm? "

" Mom I am not sure. I would like to think no but the picture well it could show either way. I really don't want to think about that right now. "

At that moment one of the agents who stayed behind to man the phones brings a phone out to me.

" Sir we are getting a call from a known number and location you need to take the call. "

I take the phone from him. " Hello."

" Well hello Mr. Grey, I am glad to finally speak to you. Seems I have something that belongs to you. I wonder do you want the little Bitch back?"

" Of course I want her back now what do you want stop playing games. I will give you anything but if you harm her than you will pay. "

Just then I see that the agent is tracing the call. He makes a motion that tells me to keep him on the line and don't let him go yet.

" Well I am I sitting here with her now and I must say she really is a site to behold. I am sure it would sicken you if you had to share her. So if you do what I ask then no harm will come to your beautiful wife. "

" Look please let me talk to her. I just need to know she is alright and alive. Please. "

" Ok fine I can do that you can talk to her but she will not be permitted to say anything back or she will have to use this lovely room with me. There is so much such stuff in here that should not go unused. "

" Fine just tell her I want to speak with her and not to speak back. "

I hear him threaten her not to say anything, I just needed her to hear me. I think it might help her.

Ok Grey the phone is to her ear she can hear you now.

" Ana baby, I love you and I am so sorry this happening to you. I am going to get you out of there I promise. No matter what they want they can have it.I just want you back. Oh baby I can hear you breathing. Please try and stay calm. I love you. "

I hear her intake of breathe and I can tell she is starting to cry. I don't want her to say anything back. So I tell her one more time that I love her and then stop talking.

" There Grey she did a good job she didn't slip up for minute there I thought she would. But you know all you did was make her cry. That really wasn't very nice of you. "

" Ok no more games what do you want?"

" Oh I will have to call you later. I am sure the line is being traced and I should go before it's complete."

Then I just hear a dial tone. Shit he is gone.

" Were you able to get anything?"

"I got a cell number and I am trying to get the location. But I think he hung up to fast. I am sure he will call again and we will get him then. "

" Christian did you talk with her? Is she alright? "

" No Mrs. Adams they would not let her talk to me. But I could talk with her. I could tell she was crying she is not alright I would say scared but I am not sure about harmed. She did good they threatened her not to say anything and she didn't she is so brave. "

I go into my room. I really just don't want to speak to any of them right now. Elliot of course follows me into my room.

" Christian Dr. Flynn called he had seen the news and wanted to know how you were? He feels it maybe best if you speak with him. He has offered to come here if you would like. I could call him for you and see when he could come."

" Elliot, thank you and yes Flynn is probably right but right now I just don't have the energy to speak to anyone. Why don't you call him and ask him to stay on standby as I am sure I will be requesting his services soon."

" Ok Christian I will go and call him right now. You want to be alone for a while or I could bring in some beer into the balls room and we could shoot some pool."

" Not right now just need some time alone. "

Elliot leaves the room. I go into my closet and grab a box that Ana put on the shelf about a year or more ago. She had collected all the letters and poems she had written me and put them in hear for me. She said she knew deep down in my heart I was a romantic and one day I would enjoy looking at them. She was so right. She always is right about me. Most of them are emails she printed out and placed in the box. I come across one that I have not thought about in awhile.

Dear Christian,

"I am sitting her here in class getting ready for the last english final of my school career. I am using one of your pencils you gave me the day of the interview the day I first set eyes on you. Christian I wanted to tell you that I love you and I know you are afraid to tell me you love me back because you feel like your not worthy of love. But, believe me when I say you are worthy of love and I can tell you love me by everything you do for me. You see Christian your actions speak louder than your words and they scream you love me. I can't wait to see you tonight. Finals have kept me away from you to long. I hope you come up with something that is mind blowing for us to do. Gotta go time for the test. I love you"

Love your A. forever.

I feel my eyes fill up with tears and then water droplets stain the paper. I set the email down and look through the box I find a card she sent me and I find a picture of her and I at her graduation that her father had taken. She was so beautiful that day. I don't know what I did to deserve her but I thank God everyday he brought her into my world. I put the box back up on the shelf and I go into her closet and look at the pictures she has framed of our last vacation together as boyfriend and girlfriend and where she said she would marry me Aspen. That trip was one that I think changed us both in so many ways. I think we both realized how much we needed each other and Ana was my strength she helped me get through all the pain of that trip and she stayed by my side day and night in the hospital. She has a picture of the two of us sitting by the fire in the house. There is one of her and Kate and all four us by the fire. I laugh because I remember how she distracted me with a kiss so Kate could beat me in the snowmobile race. I sit for a minute in her closet looking at all her beautiful clothes I love having her as my wife and there is nothing I love more than the sound of her giggling. It doesn't matter when she did it after sex in the bedroom or the red room. She knew it made me happy and she would caress my cheek and smile and then giggle. I lean up against the wall for a moment and close my eyes just thinking about her I let my mind wander.

I hear Elliot come into the room. I know he is looking for me. Oh well I guess my nice quiet time is over.

" Hey Christian where are you? Taylor and them are back. I thought you might want to know. They are waiting for you in Taylor's office."

" Elliot I am coming did they say anything did they find her or anything?"

" Christian I don't know they really didn't say anything but it's official business maybe they can't."

I head into Taylor's office. They are all back in there sitting at the table and talking and Taylor seems to be updating about something from earlier today.

" Oh good sir come here I want you to hear what I found out from Abbey Kent today. "

I sit down with the others and I am very anxious to here what he found out from her today.

" Well for starters her sister's name is Alicia and he got her information from her current Financee and his name is Jose Rodriguez. Apparently they both attended the University with Ana and Kate. They were a year behind them. Abbey told me that she spoke with her sister Alicia after she spoke with you Mr. Grey. Apparently she told Abbey that there was no other man in Ana's life now she was just wanting the money for herself. I asked her why she thought her sister and Jose's story had changed. She said her sister seemed jealous of Ana because for a long time Jose had a major crush on Ana and always thought they would be together until Christian came into the picture. So I then came back and spoke with Kate about Alicia and she said her Ana knew her a little but not as much as they knew Jose. Kate told me that Ana would have never hooked up with Jose even if there was no Christian she had only ever saw him as a friend. Kate said she thought that always made him upset.

Then I showed the the footage of Ana in the park yesterday I really wanted her to see the part at the water stand where Ana was talking to that lady in line. I wondered if maybe she knew who she was. It turned out Kate said that it was Alicia Kent Jose's Finance. So that puts her in the park sometime before Ana would have called you and told you she needed you to come and get her. Also we were able to find the water bottle that Ana had drank from and we sent it to the lab to see if there are traces of anything that would have drugged her to help them get her out of the park with out causing a scene or her being able to fight back.

Taylor places a plastic bag on the table in front of him and he says, " This was recovered by the police today in the pond. Mr Grey as you can see any everyone else this is Ana's cell phone. The water killed it that is why we could no longer track it. "

" Gentlemen I really think we should go pay Mr. Rodreguez and Miss Kent a visit. They maybe our key to find Mirs. Grey. "

I am just sitting there in shock at what I have just heard. Ana may have been taken by some one who claims to have cared for her. He took that picture of her which I am sure she felt violated if she knew he took a picture.

" Mr Grey we are going to have you stay here to take any calls also this could get heated and it would be best for you to just not be involved. "

" Yes Yes I understand but, please Taylor let me know if you find her or anything. I just need to know she is alright. I think they want money and hopefully soon they will tell me how much because I will pay anything. "

I follow them all out to the elevator and the watch the doors close. I turn around and every one is staring at me. I just shake my head I am in disbelief myself. I walk in the sitting room and sit down and look again at them.

" Seems it is possible the Jose Rodriguez and his fiancée could be behind Ana's disappearance. I am not sure but from what Taylor just shared with me and the authorities it seems like a very good possibility. "

Kate sits down and seems like she is in shock. " I thought it was strange that she was at the park with Ana yesterday well at least at the water stand. I didn't think Alicia was a runner. If there was something in the water they must have timed it and made sure she got the right bottle and no one else. I really feel like going to Jose's myself and kicking his ass for this because all those he claimed to her friend. Always being to nice and always giving her a hard time about Christian. It doesn't make sense but it does. He was so jealous of Christian. But I never thought he would go and do something like this."

" I know Kate I really don't think any one did. I mean if it is him behind this he will be lucky that the authorities get there hands on him before I do. If Ana tells me he did one thing to her it will take all my will power not to go and kill him."

" Christian what good will killing him do than you end up in prison and you are Ana are apart again. "

" Elliot, I know I was just saying. I wouldn't do it but, I really just want him to tell me where my girl is so I can bring her home. If he calls do I just play the game or do I call him out? I don't want to make things worse for Ana or make it to where he stops contacting us and they just take her and leave somewhere with her. "

" Christian I think you should just play it out right now. Don't let him know we are on to him at all. It could ruin any chances of getting Ana back."

" Yes dad I know you are right it's just hard I just want her home and safe. I hope if it is him he at least will not harm her."

That evening The Greys, Elliot and Kate and Mia all decide to go back to there places. Christian offers for Ana's parents and Bob to stay with him but they decide to go home with Grace and Carrick. I can't blame them I wouldn't be a very good host anyway right now. Ana is the one who knows how to host the guests she always has.

With every one gone it hits me that she is gone and for the first time I feel alone. I sit down on the couch and close my eyes and just think how can I get to Jose to just give him the money he wants and he gives Ana back to me. I mean he is only holding her because he is mad at her and me and wants to punish us I guess. I need to keep my mind busy so I go into my office get on the computer and order Ana a new phone red just like the other one. She liked the red one. I decide to order her some new clothes I would love to take her shopping again but she is not always so keen on that. So I look at some items and send an email to her personal shopper. I also email my mom's jeweler and I ask for him to design Ana a whole beautiful diamond set bracelet, earrings, necklace. If she can't be here right now with me I can still spoil her so when she gets home she will see how much I love and missed her.

I then decide to send Gia Matteo an email about the house. I tell her that if she wanted she could come up with some sketches. I would like all bedrooms up stairs and each with there own private bath. Two master baths and closets. Also a full bath on the main floor no half bath. I personally don't like them. I tell her about the glass wall in the back of the house. But I also remind her that Ana is ultimately in charge so to be flexible because some things could change. I laugh for a minute when I think about Ana asking me if I would sell Escala when we had the new house. The look on her face when I tell her no that I wouldn't need to. I love that about her simple down to earth way about her. She is real and tells you like it is. She wasn't brought up in this world so she is not afraid to call it out when she thinks it's being way over the top.

As I am looking through one of our wedding albums my phone rings and I jump. I look at the screen and all it says its unknown. I feel my heart pounding out of my chest as I answer it.

" Hello."

"Mr. Grey, How has your day been? Your wife has been whining about being hungry and thirsty I had to shut her up. I am sure she won't whine around me again. But I am getting tired of her. It's time to make a deal."

" Look if you hurt her again than the deal will be off and I will come for you and kill you. Now what do you want and when can I have Ana back? This little game has gone on to long and you are really starting to annoy me. "

" Tomorrow evening I want you to have for me 5000,000.00 and leave it on a dock at the marina and I will send you the info of which dock. I want it by 5:00pm. Then I will let you know where to place the second five than you can have your precious little Ana back. Is that understood?"

" Yes, it is, but how do I know she is not already harmed before I give you the first five. I will have her call you tomorrow and she can actually talk to you. She is a little tied up tonight I am afraid."

" Look I want to speak with her tonight and tomorrow or I am not going to do anything and just let the authorities find you and do what they must. "

" There is no need to get all them going again. I saw all the commotion they were causing at the park and I am sure they are out there now looking. They won't find us. I am sure you are having this call traced but I will just throw out this phone and we can always move on. But, ok I will let her say hello and you can too. Then it's good night. "

" Ok well put her on. "

" Christian, baby I am scared please I miss you. "

" Ana I know your scared and I miss you too. I will have yo back either tonight or tomorrow I promise. Honey they are out there and they may already be closing in on your location. Just be brave. Baby are you hurt?"

" Well I am feeling weak and thirsty when I asked for food today he slapped me and kicked me. But I am getting better. I love you Christian and I want to be able to see you again."

" Ana you will see me again. I am bringing you home. Baby do you know if it's Jose just say yes or no. "

" No I haven't seen them. "

"IS there a female there? One for yes two for no. "

" One. Christian he is pulling my hair now to get his phone back I have to go. I love you. "

" Ana I love you too." The phone goes dead and I could hear her crying as she handed back the phone. I start to cry and put my phone down. I am so glad I got to hear her voice I hate that they are not feeding her and are striking her. It makes me so mad. I send Taylor a message and attach a recording of the call with it. I also ask if there is any way we know where they are so we can rescue Ana tonight. She needs to come home she is not being feed and they are hitting her.

I get back to the computer and I find I loose my thoughts in some contracts and agreements for work. The times goes by and there is a knock on my office door.

" Come in. " Mr. Grey sir what would you like for dinner sir? I could at least make you up a salad. That would be something simple and light. I know you don't have an appetite but you do need to keep your strength up. "

" Mrs. Jones I know you mean well but do you know what they are feeding Ana I got to speak with her a bit ago. They haven't feed her yet. How can I eat?"

" Mr. Grey I am sorry to hear that but you need to eat because it sounds like Mrs. Grey is going to need you to be there for her. Sir she is not only going to need to eat and drink but, mentally sir she is going through a lot. You may have to accompany her to see a dr. like Dr. Flynn. You will need to care for her. That is why you should eat now."

How do I sit here and argue with her points she is right. Ana is going to need me and I want to be there for her. Look at what she was to me after my accident she was everything I want an need to be her everything now no matter how long it takes her to heal.

" Mrs. Jones you are right please make a me small salad if you wouldn't mind could you bring me a glass of wine as well. "

" Yes sir Mr. Grey. "

I see her smile as she turns around she knows she won her argument but she was right. Ana needs me.

While I am waiting for my dinner I hear my email ding. It's a message from Miss. Matteo.

Mr. Grey,

It is great to hear from you. I would be honored to design a home for you and Ana. I hope all is well for the two of you. The last I spoke to your brother I thought I was out of the running for the project. I am so glad to hear that I have been selected. I will start on some designs given what you have asked for and then I will incorporate what ever Ana would like to add or remove. I am going to take a drive out to your property in the morning so I can get a lay out of the land to make sure the design of the home goes well with it.

I will then call Ana about meeting with you both and we can review some of the options. Once again I am very excited to hear I have been selected and I will put 110% into this project.

Thank you,

Gia Matteo.

I don't answer her back. I am glad she is getting right on this. I know Ana will be more than thrilled to hear the house is in the works. When she gets home it will be something that will cheer her up. I go back to looking at the photographs of Ana and I and I find some of our honeymoon. She looked so beautiful on that whole trip. I should have moved us to England and never come home. She would be safe and we could be laying in eachother's arms right now.

Gail brings my salad and wine. I start to eat and yes the food does taste good and I really didn't realize how hungry was.