Chapter 4:

"She has been on three different job interviews." Jason Taylor reported to his boss. "All three have agreed to abide by your wishes and not hire her." He stood before Christian's massive walnut desk with the spectacular view of Seattle behind it. Christian sat on that desk with a smile on his face. "Mr. Grey, do you think this is a good move concerning Miss Steele?"

"I think it is a very good move. She will have to come back to Grey Publishing or she can work for GEH if she so chooses." Christian sat back in his chair quite pleased with himself. "She has to learn that she belongs to me and only me."

"Mr. Grey, you can't do this. You will only drive her further away." Taylor replied trying to make this control-freak understand. "She is a young independent woman who is trying to pay her bills. She tried your lifestyle but she doesn't want it. You can't force her, Mr. Grey."

"You seem to forget that I am your employer, Taylor. I can do whatever I think is best to get her back. She has to learn her place."

"Her place? Are you fucking nuts? This is the 21st century!" Taylor exploded. He was very fond of Ana, as if she was Sophie, his beloved daughter. If any man treated his Sophie like this, he would have their nuts on a platter and feeding them to some hogs. "She isn't your concubine. This isn't the 12th century you know. I will not be a party to this anymore. I will not help you manipulate her anymore."

"I could fire you for this."
"Fire me, then." Taylor said challenging his boss. "Better yet, go to hell, Mr. Grey. I quit!" Taylor's dark eyes went even darker in anger. Without another word, he turned and exited Christian's office. He turned in his credentials and walked out of Grey House without looking back. His first stop was to buy a new cell phone since he left the Blackberry in the security offices. The first person he called was Gail Jones, Grey's housekeeper/cook.

"Gail, I will be by later in the day to pack my belongings. I've resigned my post. I'm leaving Grey, and I want you to come with me. I love you, Gail, you know this. We can take off for Vegas get married and settle anywhere you want." He smiled when she said yes and he told her that he one more thing to do before he returned to Escala. Taylor hailed a cab and off he went for a mission of his own.

Ana returned home from a yoga class when Taylor approached her before she stepped into her building. He said her name calmly and stopped within an appropriate amount of space so that she did not feel threaten. "Miss Steele, please give me a few minutes. I am not here for Grey, but for you. To give you some information that concerns you. The security team follows you; your home phone is tapped so Grey knows much about your employment search. Please use your new cell phone, but you might want to change your number or better yet get another new one under someone else's name, if you can. Grey is blackballing you in Seattle. The last three interviews you have been on he knew about them and he made a few calls to keep you from being employed."

Ana was shocked to hear Taylor speak so much. She was used to his one or two word responses. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I no longer work for Grey. I refuse to be a party to what he has planned for you."

Ana's blood ran cold. She cleared her throat. "Planned for me?"

"Miss Steele, he is obsessed with you and he will do anything, and I mean anything to get you back at Grey Publishing or GEH and back into his bed." He snorted as he considered his words. "I know you care a great deal for Grey, actually I believe that you love him, but his treatment of you is deplorable. I could not leave Seattle without warning you."

"You're leaving Seattle?" Ana's head shot up and she felt the tears welling in her eyes.

"Yes, Gail and I leaving for Vegas tonight to get married, then we will figure out the rest. We both have money saved back. Just be very careful, Miss Steele." He offered his hand.

"Taylor, please don't leave Seattle." She moved his hand and launched herself into a hug upon his body. "I know Christian is an ass, but he needs you and Gail. Left to his own devices he will self-destruct."

Taylor was in shock to have Ana holding on to him. "Miss Steele, it is already done. I've resigned and walked out. I asked Gail to marry me and she said yes."

Ana didn't care that she was sobbing. "You will stay in touch?"

"Of course, my dear sweet girl." He caressed her long dark hair. "You are like a daughter to me. I will give you my new phone number, and you call me if you ever…I mean this…if you ever need me." He smiled down at her when she backed off. He found the pen that he kept in the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He wrote down his new cell phone number on a piece of paper he found his in his pants pocket. "Anytime you need me, you call me."

Ana could only nod. She no longer trusted her voice. She knew she would dissolve into sobs. Taylor gave her a gentle smile then he turned and was gone. Ana shook as emotion took over her body. Everything she loved or cared for was being taken away from her. She lost her boyfriend, her job, and now a good friend. She walked into the building and took the elevator up to the 7th floor. It took her three tries to get her apartment unlocked and relish in the safety of her home. She noticed that her answering machine was indicating that she had messages. She hit the button to listen.

You have 6 messages.

First message: Ana, this is Mom. Call me as soon as you get this. I love you.

Second message: Ana…hey what the fuck is going on? Moneybags burned up my phone. Call me!

Third message: You need to call me, Anastasia. This little show of yours has gone on long enough. Come home, baby and we can make this work. I will do anything you want. I've torn up the NDA…the contract is gone as well as the rules…baby, I need you. I can't live without you. Please, Ana…I'm begging you…come home, baby."

Fourth message: Miss Anastasia Steele, this is Dylan Magnus, from Magnus Publishing. I am calling to verify that you have decided to cancel our meeting tomorrow morning. Please call me back at 555-5860 and let me know either way. Thank you for your time.

Fifth message: Ana, I mean it. Call me. I am getting tired of this shit!

Sixth message: This is Dylan Magnus, from Magnus Publishing again. Upper management has canceled your interview for tomorrow morning. Have a nice day.

"Fuck!" Ana said aloud. This was getting ridiculous. Christian's interference was pissing her off. She erased all the messages. She found her purse and found her new cell phone that she just purchased. It was a Go-Phone. She dialed Christian's personal number knowing that he was probably still at work and he always carried his cell phone. He answered after one ring.

"Grey." He growled.

"Christian….leave me alone." She said harshly.

"Ana, it is a pleasure to speak to you." His voice dripped with honeyed words.

"Christian, if you do not leave me alone, I will get a restraining order against you. I do not want to speak to you, see you, or even hear anything about you. Which part of no don't you understand?"

"I do not accept your defiance. It's time for you to come home." His voice turned cold.

"I am home, Mr. Grey. This is your final warning, Grey." She hung up then switched off the phone. She made sure that the door was locked even though she knew that if Christian wanted in, he would find a way.

After taking a quick shower, Ana dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, a tight red t-shirt. She grabbed the keys to Kate's Mercedes and decided it was time to get some help. She did not use the elevator but took the fire escape to the lobby floor. She used the back entrance that went to the large parking lot. She took a few seconds to scan the area looking for any tell-tale signs that Christian's goon squad was watching her. She didn't see any black Audi SUVs. She unlocked the door to Kate's car and quickly sped away checking that she wasn't being followed.

Twenty minutes later, she parked and made her way into a tall sandstone building. Within a few minutes, she was speaking to a pretty dishwater blonde sitting at a reception desk. Her name tag announce her name as Pamela. Ana gave her request then sat down to wait.

Carrick Grey stood as a pretty brown-haired woman that he had only met once stepped into his office. He smiled gently at her and offered his hand. He knew her as Ana, the one woman that Christian brought home to meet the family. "It is a pleasure to meet you once again, Miss Steele."

"Mr. Grey, I need your help." She did not sit but paced in front of his desk. "I don't know if you have been told, but Christian and I are no longer together. I need you to help me to make him stop harassing me. He bought SIP where I was working before I resigned, and I believe he has influenced companies not to hire me."

"Miss Steele, do you have any proof of your allegations?" Carrick knew his son was capable of such behavior, but he still wanted to protect his son.

"He bought SIP after I left him. He comes by my apartment, which my neighbor can attest too. He is not invited. Moreover, as for the blackballing that he subjecting me to, I am sure it can be proven in court with a subpoena. Listen, Mr. Grey, I don't want to cause any problems. I just want to be left alone. Christian and I did not work out and he has to accept that."

"I will talk to him." Carrick said knowing that Ana was telling the truth. "Christian is difficult even on a good day; however, he is a man in love. He doesn't understand how to deal with this situation."

"I can appreciate that knowing Christian's background, but he is grown adult and he should be able to deal with rejection." She was calmer now. "I will go to court and slap a restraining order against him. I don't think he or his company needs the negative publicity."

Carrick found himself admiring this young woman. She had spunk and self-respect. "Miss Steele, I will have a talk with Christian. If that doesn't work, I will escort you to the courthouse for that restraining order."

"Thank you, Mr. Grey. I do appreciate your help in this matter. I don't wish him any harm, I just want to be left alone in peace and be able to procure employment."

A little light bulb went off in Carrick's head. "I have an opening in my office for a personal assistant. Would you be interested? I understand you are interested in publishing, however, this is a paying job."
Ana sat down in front of the father of the man who deflowered her. "What would be my duties?"

"The job entails assisting me in the office with typing, filing, running errands, answering phones, and keeping my office running smoothly. It's a combination of office manager and assistant. My former PA took maternity leave and then decided to be a stay-at-home Mom."

"I don't know anything about the law."

"It's just a business. Think about over the weekend, and call me Monday. Does that sound fair enough for you?"

"Actually, I would rather accept your offer and start Monday."

Carrick smiled as he stood. "It's a deal. Let's go down to Human Resources and get your paperwork done."

"Mr. Grey, you won't tell Christian will you?"

"Of course not, Miss Steele. Who I hire is none of my son's business, just as who he hires is none of my business." He cocked his head to the side. "But, I feel I must warn you. He does show up here once in awhile. Will that be a problem?"

"Not if he leaves me alone."

Carrick accepted her answer. He buttoned his suit jacket and escorted her out of his office.

With a renewed spirit, Ana bought a very expensive bottle of champagne and went to Tara's apartment. The Brit opened her door to welcome Ana into her home.

"It's time to celebrate, Tara! I got a job!"

"Where?"

"Get this…you will shit a brick. I am the new office assistant for one Mr. Carrick Grey at Grey Law Firm."

"Holy Shit! You're working for the Grey family?"

"It's perfect. Christian won't bother me while I'm working for his Father. I have the best protection in this situation."

"Why aren't you a saucy little minx?" Tara had to laugh. She took the bottle and opened it. She poured two glasses of champagne and then handed one to Ana. "To a brilliant solution to a difficult situation. Fine job, Miss Steele."

"Why, thank you, Miss Holt." Ana laughed as she took a drink of her champagne. She was rather proud of herself for staying strong and not running back to Christian. She felt safe in her person and in her employment. "Here's to a new career in law."

Carrick knew that Ana was an intelligent woman, but he was not prepared for how professional and astute that she was. His office ran efficiently with Ana at the helm. She read law better than some of his paralegals did. He asked her one day over lunch if she ever considered taking the L-STATS and going to law school. She blushed adorably and shook her head.

"My heart is still in publishing."

"I think you would be an exceptional lawyer." Carrick offered. He looked up to see his youngest son staring at him with fire in his grey eyes. Christian crossed the room in a short five strides. "Good afternoon, Christian."

"Father." Christian said harshly. If looks could kill, Christian's sharp glare would cut Carrick down. "This is a surprise to see you out for lunch with a woman that's not my Mother."

"Ana is my new office assistant and yes, your Mother knows we are having lunch." Carrick frowned witnessing his son's most improper hostile attitude. He could see why Christian was so successful in business. He was intimidating. Carrick's glaze went to Ana who sat coolly taking a sip of her iced tea. "You could mind your manners and say hello to the lady."

"Good Afternoon, Anastasia." Christian said lowly and with a nod of his head.

"Mr. Grey." She replied with a nod of her own. She grabbed her clutch and pushed her chair from the table. "If you will pardon me, gentlemen?"

Carrick, ever the gentleman, stood and smiled at her. He waited until Ana was far enough from the table and turned to his son with fury in his eyes. "You will treat her with the upmost respect, Christian."

"Of course, Father."

Carrick's eyes narrowed as he considered his son. "I mean it Christian. She's an intelligent and very capable young woman. You had your chance with her and you blew it."

"True, but I don't think my Father should be trying to take my place."

Carrick had to laugh. "You have gone mad. I am hopelessly in love with your Mother. I don't cheat, I never have and I never will." He sat down and relaxed. Christian was always his difficult child. He always hoped that the boy would grow out of that, but it seemed Christian got worse as he aged and grew even richer. "You must not think that much about Miss Steele if you honestly believe that we are on a romantic lunch date."

"Then why are you having lunch with an employee?"

"I am having lunch with a colleague because she was instrumental in winning a huge case. I was trying to persuade her to take the L-STATS and attend Law School.

Christian sat in an unused chair. "She's that good?" Carrick nodded. "She is very intelligent."

"She said no because her heart is in publishing." Carrick added with a hint of sadness.

Christian pursed his lips in deep thought. "I bought SIP in hopes that someday she would run it."

"Christian?"

"I want to marry her, Dad. It was going to be a wedding gift."

"Oh, Christian…you do love her."

"Yeah…and she fuckin hates me." Christian crossed his massive arms over his deep muscular chest stretching the material of his suit jacket.

"What happened?"

Christian looked down to the floor. How he could tell his father that he beat that beautiful creature? How he could tell the man that saved his life that he was a sick fucked-up beast who had deep emotional scars that led him to practice BDSM. "I hurt her and she no longer trusts me."

"Christian, give her time and space then try again." Carrick lowered his voice. "I will keep the foxes away from the henhouse at work."

Christian had to laugh. "Alright, Dad…you have always guided me true, well, when I let you. I will step back and give her time, but I have to know that she is safe so there will be security watching over her."

"Stealth?"

"Of course, Dad." Christian reached over, lifted Carrick's glass of iced tea, and took a drink. "I'm going to be invisible but she will be kept safe." He smiled at his Dad then took his leave.

Carrick watched his boy walk out of the restaurant with his hands shoved down into his pants pockets. He couldn't believe it. His boy was in love for the first time in his life and Carrick approved of his choice in women. Ana was perfect for Christian and Carrick decided he would do whatever he could to make sure that Ana found her way back to Christian.