Chp 03 Sword bearer & Shield Bearer
I watch them walking to his office. Who is this girl? Since I found her the first day she walked in the door at Grey House. She has been an enigma. Everything screams good, safe girl. All the paper trails lead to lies, stonewalls. Every time I talk to her, she makes me more comfortable and appreciated, while she evades and lies to my face.
She never attended WSU, her resume list NYC. But no records exist beyond a professor's office. But she was presented to the Greys as a WSU grad by Kate. Did Kate misspeak, she has been known to do that. Kate gives few details about Anna; Anna's family is a topic she evades mercilessly. I suspect it is a major reason for the cover story. Kate's an open book. Much like Elliott who she is connected to now. I believe Gail assessment is correct. They are marriage bound.
Anna Steele is very strange; a deep background check is very weird. If I was with the government still, I would fear an enemy sleeper agent taking a dead child's identity. Her Passport was used the first time since it was issued and renew 4 years ago at Venice Airport Marco Polo; when she flew to NY's Kennedy. There is no record of her leaving the States. How did she get to Italy?
There is no record of her traveling to Seattle. No idea of how? She appears the day, she took delivery of Wanda, her aged wreckage of a VW Bug. Her money stream is deeper and better than Kate's or Mia's for that matter. It's hidden thru several lawyers in NYC, LA and Miami. Is she the daughter of a drug lord? Why the subterfuge?
What do I know is true: She is educated, mannered, and very shy. A classic bookworm, yet she is wild fun-loving spirit with Kate and Andrea. She could easily rise to the publishing departments head within weeks. Roz has already fallen under her spell.
Andrea believes she is god sent; planned on moving her up here last week, to replace Oliva as her assistant PA. I stopped that, I must know the secrets before I let her get too close to Christian. Well that's a mote point now.
Grey's parents are in love with both girls, Anna is more religious than Kate. A photo of them swimming at Grey Manor last Sunday; Shocked me. The scars on her lower back and her hip speak of an evil abuser. Is that what she's hiding from?
Everything is plain in your face Jason, a hidden puppet master behind the curtain, I fear. I fear what is waiting from her past. Will it hurt us. What is the secret she guards?
"Buzz! Buzz!" I look at my hand. Gail!
"Hey sweetness."
"Jason, you cad. I just found out the flowers are on a random schedule. Smartass! How can I tell your guilty of something?" I smile at her fake injury.
"Well, sexy! That the point. If you don't know, I don't have to confess. Win-win for everyone."
"Ok, what has your panties in a bunch; to have you waxing your rod that hard?"
"Winston ratted us out, he led Christian right to Anna. I still don't know if she's a threat?"
"Jason Taylor! You met the girl, she is sweet, innocent and very much an open book. If there are threats it's from other around her. Her family worries me the most, with her refusal to talk about them. We know her dad remarried, she hates her mean and petty stepmother and half-sister. She loves her little brother. Her birth mother is dead, they were estranged. She is here to earn a life on her terms and by her merit."
"Yes, we know that. But what is her real name. A why does she hide it. It's not like she some princess, heiress to the Britannic Empire crown or anything."
"You never know, now chill let them work out a relationship; she can touch him. I will call Grace; our prayers are answered." Gail says. She goes to same church when she's here on the weekends. She met the girls thru them. She is Anna's biggest cheerleader.
I wish I could trust them and my gut. I know she going to be good for him. I think he's going to good for her. Together they make a smart, beautiful couple. I have to go with what I know, and not let shadows become reality.
I watch the video in his office, I shut it off. Just checking every 30minutes. They make out, and just lay in each other arms reading from their laptops. Andrea had her stuff moved to an office on down the hall from Grey's. Hyde her boss is very angry and pissed off. Winston didn't like him at all. I have Luke recheck him. He seems slimy and very angry with Christian.
Two hours later: My phone rings. I see it's the front desk. Is Luke hung up dealing with Hyde?
"Taylor."
"Mr. Taylor; there is a Mr. Steele to see Miss Steele. Andrea said those inquires go to you."
"Have him escorted to my office. I reach over, stroke some keys and pull up the Majors' record. Mostly blacked out. A few things are bright glaring red flag. Teaching gigs Bragg, Irwin, Sandhurst, Hereford, School of the America, even Central Brazil Goiania, Brazil's special ops center. Everything is his file screams shadow warrior of Special Operation World. His daughter is listed. Yet he doesn't appear to have seen her since she disappeared at seven-year-old.
Mother is even more shady, she seems to have left the country at eighteen, and never been back. Anna listed her as dead. She told Gail her mother left her birth father for a loser playboy, she refused to even say his name. Simply calling him #3.
Could Steele be husband 2. That would explain the passports. She would have traveled under her birth passport. Umm, that would make Steele her stepfather. Yet he's listed as parent. The mother's name is a dead end in Miami. I see the Major walking towards my door on the monitor.
I stand.
He enters, lost and unsure. Not the attitude of a Special Warfare Major with a dozen kills. I wonder what has him afraid.
Steele: Why am I here, what is going on? Is Annie not wanting to see me?
"Mr. Steele. Jason Taylor. Please have a seat. Coffee?"
"Tea, bag out English breakfast if you have it." He sits. Wow! Just like Anna takes it. Weird, very weird.
Steele: Why does he look stunned at my order of tea. My friend Robert at Hereford taught me to take it like that. I must be on guard.
"What can I do for you?"
"Why am I here. I asked to see my daughter Annie."
"Why?"
Steele: What does that mean? Why? Is Annie family hounding her? There is something worrying this guy. Clear ex-military. "Why what?" I bark sharper than necessary.
"After all this time. It doesn't look like you have had any contact for a long time?"
"Did she ask you to warn me off?" He says, hurt dripping from his voice.
"No, there are discrepancies with her background check. I was hoping you could clear them up."
Steele: The background check is a fantasy to hide her from her father and evil stepmother. I must be cautious, not out her to them. I want a chance; any chance no matter how small to reconnect with my daughter. "Show me the BC, I'll write in any questions you have."
"I'll ask the questions, you answer."
Steele: He is playing hardball. Why this hard-ass position. Something is going on; has the Earl already found her? if so, I will beat him to a pulp this time. He kept me banded from England. Denying me a chance to have a relationship with my daughter. "Are you preventing me from seeing Anna, if a walk away from this invasion of her privacy."
"You know the answer to that. I was hoping you could clear this up before I have to take action and fire her." I bluff, with the kissing in the office upstairs; I doubt I could order Anna to change ink pens.
Steele: He's bluffing. Something else is going on here. Maybe a new approach to move around this stalemate. "It would be faster to show me the file. So, I could explain the holes you see. Otherwise escort me to my daughter."
"your Step daughter."
Steele: "My daughter, I adopted her when I married that cheating, slut Carla. The worst thing I did was not fight her birth father for custody. Particularly after #3 abused my little girl." Shit I said too much.
Ok, he answered a lot of questions. "Where was she before she arrived at Kennedy?"'
Steele: "She graduated from University in May. I suspect Step-Mommy Dearest drove her to come home to America." That is the only conclusion I could come up with. Since she hasn't contacted me. Maybe she was waiting to get settled?
"Which University? Which country?"
"You've talked to her?"
"yes."
Steele: Then her accent and manners should have told you where she from. "Then you should know. Any more information, ask her. Or her lawyers in LA. I want to see my daughter."
"That's a little sticky right now. She is engaged at the moment." I check the monitor. They are asleep in each other's arms, shit he saw me look.
He jumps up fast for an old guy. Leaning over the desk he sees them sleeping together. Steele: WHAT THE F ##$KING HELL; THAT's CEO GREY, WHO LIKES TO BEAT WOMAN FOR SEX. KILL'EM ALL!
His face changes to anger. Before I can draw my gun, he has my throat and we are crashing off the desktop. I manage in the fall to break free.
GOD! DAMM is he strong! I draw only to have it batted across the room. Luke & Park rush in as I black out.
I wake to Steele on the floor, Roz's four-inch spike heel Louboutin on his throat. She looks pissed off. I look around. Parks is being help out the door, with a broken arm, maybe a dislocated shoulder. Luke looks like he tried to stop a charging elephant; An lost. I feel bruised and battered. Marshall helps me up.
"Steele if you calm down, we will let you up." Steele: took three guys and Butch Chick to take me down. Wait till I get up. I'm tearing this place down.
"This is Anna father? I want him gone and away from that sweet girl. NOW!"
"ROZ! Shut up! You don't get it. Only a father of a daughter will understand. Steele?"
From the floor he growls "I read his BC. That pervert is touching my Annie!"
"STEELE! HE GAVE THAT UP MONTHS AGO. SHE IS AWARE OF HIS PAST IN THAT. SHE DOESN'T CARE! AN IF HE EVER HURT HER LIKE THAT OR LIKE #3, I'D DROP HIM IN AN ACID BATH, SLOW AND EVIL. AM I CLEAR!" I yell louder than I should.
Steele: I will reserve judgment. But for now. I will listen before killing him. "Ok let me up."
"Roz!" She steps back. Steele gets off the floor, belying he's old and out of shape. I take in my wrecked office. Daddy Steele is not to be underestimated.
"Roz, Raymond Steele. Anna's stepfather. Mr. Steele. Roz Bailey COO."
Steele: Grey must have some respect for women if she supports him. I like her; In your face style. "Call me Ray. Now about Grey's lifestyle?"
"Ray, come with me, so Jason crew can salvage his office. Jason if you can or do you need medical."
"I'm fine, lead on." She leads us upstairs to her office, next door to the sleeping couple. We sit, we have coffee, Ray has Tea. Roz is surprise he takes it just like Anna.
"Call me Ray. Now about Grey's lifestyle?"
"He gave that up before last Christmas. Hasn't been in it since." I tell him.
"you take your tea just like Anna." Roz says. As Andrea joins us.
Steele: Doesn't surprise me at all. Everyone is supporting her, even suspicious Taylor. "Really, she was such a bright caring girl. I miss her a lot."
"Why did you give her up?" Andrea asks.
Steele: I must say but keep thing general and no allow her father to F #$K this up for me again. "Her father has money, title, power. He wanted her; to punish Carla in the beginning. Now I suspect he realizes his second wife and daughter are not capable of carrying on the family business or position. His son has been raised more by Anna than Him or Cruella."
"How do you know this?" I ask
"I have friends in the house, friends of the family. Her executor is a friend from my teaching at Hereford. I also was informed by her late Governess, before she died when Annie was 16. She raises the girl more than Carla."
I take in the information. He said Executor. Friends from the British SAS school: also, she was raised by a Governess. That all speaks of money. That may explain the money. British is how she talks and acts. Minus the accent, very strange. England is a place to hunt for answers and threats.
"Governess?" Roz asks.
"Yea, her birth family is loaded. Her paternal grandparents left her a lot of money, property, and responsibility. She independent of the family in everything but emotional. She loves her little brother, I think she cares something for her weak father." I can see the hurt in his eyes.
Andrea must see it too. "Ray, Anna is a smart, caring, level head young woman. She could easily be up here on merit alone. But her dream is to be a publishing editor. She loves books, loves to help craft others dreams. You can be proud of her. She cares nothing for wealth, social position."
We all nod at him. We are about to ask more when she enters the door.
She's a deer in the headlight looking at Ray. Everyone is frozen.
I see Christian walk behind her. Hugging her. Before he realizes the moment.
Steele: I'm taking in all they are telling me. When I see her in the doorway. She is frozen. Does she want me here? Does she care for me? Have I lost my daughter again? I see Grey hug her, love oozing from them, yet she is staring at me, like her worst fear are coming true. "Ray?" She whispers.
Steele: I stand and walk to her, drawn to my daughter. I what to hold her, love her. Make up for all the wasted years. Tears streaming of worry, angst, and fear fall to the floor. "Annie!" Anguish of all those lost years in my voice.
Steele: She leaves Christian arms to jump into my arms. We hug and cry. YES! She loves me! We are again family united. I hold the most precious thing in the world to me. I'm never letting her go again, ever!
I see Christian about to lose it. When Roz whispers into his ear. He stops, flips the mood switch to happy. We all leave them to talk and connect. Gail hugs us when did she arrive. I feel the world. I take Christian to his office to talk.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Andrea-pov
I call Gail as soon as I am notified Mr. Steele is here. She is on her way. I think about the lovers in his office. I've never seen Christian acting like that. He seemed happy and twenty-seven not fifty-seven. I hope Anna's dad doesn't damage the relationship. They both need the other.
I smile till security notifies me about the rumble in Jason office. I call Carrick. Christian father can help if Mr. Steele is a problem. I was so hoping he wouldn't be.
"Thomas & Grey. How may I direct your call?" That weird, Janet knows this number.
"Janet? Andrea at Grey House"
"Andrea, sorry we are having phone problems: None of the phone have caller id, waiting, or rollover. It's been a mad house. You want Mr. Grey. You need to call his cell."
"hope your phone problems get fixed."
"Yea thanks, Mr. Grey is free in his office. Bye girlfriend."
I call his cell.
"ANDREA! WHATS WRONG? IS CHRISTIAN HURT? ELLIOTT?"
"CARRICK STOP! Everyone is fine. You're having phone problems remember?'
"Shit! Sorry Andrea I forgot. What's up?"
"Well good news or bad news?"
"Bad news?" He says; always bad news first. Like father like son. I giggle
"Anna's Stepdad showed up, theirs was a riot in Taylor's office. I'm waiting for information on how to proceed."
"The good news?"
"Well remember your one out of two-score card. Well your so, so wrong, its two for two. Winston dragged Christian on a search of Grey House for his Princess. He found her. They walk in about two hour ago looking so happy and in love. I believe in love at first sight now."
"Yes! Let me know if I need to remove Step-daddy. Legal or personal. I will call Grace. YES!" He hangs up. I can picture him doing his snoopy dance on the desk in his office. I felt like it before Mr. Steele showed up
Roz leading everyone including Mr. Steele into her office. As we talk, I realize he is very concerned with Anna. Very fatherly; I know she has doubt if he still cared. I don't think it will be an issue. Looking at the raw emotion when they hugged. I know what love is, parental love. I need to call my dad, telling him I miss him and love him. Need to call my Aunt in New York, let her know what is going on. I bet she'll be snoopy dancing in the Rose Room.
I start for my desk, to find Barney standing next to it. He takes my hand and we lock ourselves in the copy room. He loves me, I love him. I let the joy explode, finally a bright dawn is here. My man worships me to blissful release. Since Anna showed up, rainbows and unicorns rampage thru Grey House.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gail. Pov
I walk into Grey House: Like a rampaging mama grizzly bear. I stomp toward the elevator to Christians office. I see Lewis, the head guard in the lobby. He raised both hands out. I stop, glaring at him.
"Mrs. Jones. Stop. Take a breath. The situation upstairs is handled. Everyone is in Roz's office." He explains.
"Mr. Steele?"
"He's in Roz office, with Jason and security backing him up. He saw Grey and Miss Anna on his couch asleep, in each other's arms. He knows about Mr. Grey's past lifestyle." He says. I digest the information. Ok. I see why he when nuts. If all I knew was his past and my innocent daughter. I would rampage. Wait I just was. I shake my head. We all need calmer heads.
"Ok, I'm calm. Thank You Lewis." I smile, heading upstairs. I hope everything is calm and working itself out. I walk out of the elevator. Seeing Jason holding a crying Christian. I move to them, wanting to comfort my boy. I hug him. Looking into Roz's office.
Anna is hugging and crying with her stepdad. Mr. Steele is completely in love with his daughter. I can feel the deep emotions from them. Jason take Christian to his office to talk. "Jason I'm heading home. Bring them, them all to Escala. Dinner will be ready when they arrive."
I head home, walking on air. Today is turning out to be the best day in my new life. Not since the wedding to my late husband Tom, have I been this happy. Jason proposed last Sunday. I said yes. Christian has found Angel, and it's Anna. I knew she would be perfect for him. I know Jason had concerns about the holes in her past. Now she is in his arms, reconnected with her stepfather.
I arrive at Escala, making up a guest room for Mr. Steele. Freshen Christian bed; sure, Anna will stay here. I check the other guest rooms incase other arrive. My phone buzzes.
I check; the downstairs front desk? I have a visitor. I move to the security room, Von is on duty. He's a solid guy. I see on the monitor, a stiff mature woman in a double breast traveling suit. The very model of stiff British womanhood. I bet she can crack walnuts with her stares.
"all right sent her up."
I stand in the foyer, waiting. "ding" the door opens to my visitor. "Mrs. Jones. I am Abigail Trantar, Miss Steele housekeeper. I understand she is coming here tonight. I need to see her about family issues."
Ok, this is very weird, she knows Anna's coming here. I turn looking at Von. He ducks into the security room to find our mole.
"Please, this way." I lead her to the kitchen indicating a breakfast stool. Let's see how stiff the broomstick up her ass is. She sits, I get us tea. With us trying to match Christian and Anna. I have a stocked-up supply of tea. Her favorites.
"What can you tell me?" I ask
"Her stepmother and half-sister are aristocratic scum. They're manipulative, petty and mean. They have spent years, humiliating and tormenting Anna. Her father is a weak, narcissi man. Nothing like his father or brother. Sadly, Anna's uncle died in Iraq."
"Why have you come here?"
"The Earl is upset, with Anna's majority and her disappearance. His economics are in jeopardy. He was counting on a good arranged marriage; where he holds control of the money, property and companies."
"The Earl is going to have to settle for Christian Grey as his son-in-law"
"He won't accept it; until she is married in the Anglican church. His law firm's henchmen are sweating Anna' s friend in New York, her law firms here in the states. One is bound to lead here."
"What are you proposing?"
"How in love are they. Is this for real, forever?"
"Yes. It is."
"I can have a ceremony tomorrow at 8am at Emmanuel Anglican Church near Green Lake. Plus, a Civil one at City Hall. Once married, she is untouchable."
"Let me call Mr. Phelps, my lawyer to verify. Then we will present this to Christian and Anna."
"Time is ticking, Mrs. Jones"
"Please call me Gail. Let's get started. I still have to get dinner ready."
"Abby, have an extra apron. Anna loves Tagliatelle alla Bolognese" she smiles. I see she's not so stiff after all. I direct her to the ingredients, while calling my lawyer.
Xxxxxx
Six pm.
The herd arrives, as I suspected Anna is here with Mr. Steele. They walk into the Great Room. Anna freezes seeing Abby.
"Abby? What are you doing here?" Anna asks with tension in her voice. Christian hugs her, turning her into his chest.
"Your father found out about your escape. The firm is hunting you: They've tracked you to New York. They are staking out, harassing your friends there. You need to do the what you're Solicitor suggest when you turned twenty-one."
She turns white as a sheet. I move to them. She curls on to him, totally trusting him. "Christian, I need you alone." She whispers to him
He picks her up and carries her to his room. Locking the door.
"What did her Solicitor suggest?" Mr. Steele says in anger and pain. He's been here before with her family.
"Raymond, I'm Abigail Trantar, Miss Steele's housekeeper at Swainswick."
"Yes, I remember you. Your sister was the Governess. Call me Ray. Now what did they suggest?" Ray says. It makes sense now. The Governess raised Anna, her family would be loyal to her and not her family. I smile.
"Her Solicitor suggest she marry as soon as possible to remove her father and stepmother from control in her life." Abby says.
Jason just catch's Ray before he crashes into the floor. Wow he is out. Dead faint. I check his pulse, it erratic. I need to call a doctor. I look up, Grace and Carrick rush in. We get Ray to the great room couch. Grace treats him.
Ray has a heart condition; his medication stabilizes him. Abby and me finish the dinner, ready when the kids come out. We fed everyone else now.
Two hours later:
I look up, OH'SHIT!"CHRISTIAN!" I watch as they walk out, Christian shirtless in pajama bottoms bare feet and Anna wearing his shirt an nothing else.
"OH? You guys are here. Well you caught us. I guess I need to do the right thing." What is he talking about. I've never seen this clown side of him.
He kneels, "Anna with your Dad Ray threatening me with a shotgun. I assume he does have one or two or some other larger caliber guns. I propose you marry me. To make sure our child has a name." We are all looking about. What is this?
"Christian, you took advantage of me, blinded me your savvy billionaire ways. (she puts her hand palm out on her forehead, like some bad b-movie vamping actress) Taken my virtue, my priceless innocence. You cad! Your very ugly, but very rich: at least in the manhood department."
"Too much information!" Several of us scream at the clown duo.
"But I will sacrifice for the sake of our children. Because I'm positive I must be having triplets. Here feel them move. (she takes his hand and holds to her forehead) Damm soccer games." Anna curtsy, laughing at us. They rise, laughing at us. They sit with Ray and Grace on the couch. Anna has a pair of Christians running short under the shirt. Thank god.
"Well Dad. How do we get married before Cruella and company arrives?" Christian asks, holding Anna on his lap.
"Tomorrow 8am at Emmanuel Anglican Church near Green Lake. With the civil at City Hall at 11am." Abby says.
"you already planned this. Now did you find me?" Anna asks
"Your brother called me. I asked nicely of your Librarian friend in New York."
"Helen was right you're the quiet, devious one." Anna tease her.
"Well! I was the eldest of twins, a whole three minutes. Making me the smart one" Abby laughs
"Well since that settle: before Ray has to shotgun me to the Alter. Dinner?" Christian asks.
"You two to the breakfast bar, while the adults work out the detail of this shotgun wedding. We made Tagliatelle alla Bolognese." I say.
Anna pops up a dragging a confused Christian to the kitchen. As I walk to serve them. "WHERE MY TAGLIATELLE ALLA BOLOGNESE? ABBY DID YOU MAKE CHEDER GARLIC BREAD STICKS?" Anna screams.
"Anna, manners! That girl and her addiction to Tagliatelle alla Bolognese and Cheder garlic bread sticks. I swear she would eat it five days a week if she could." Abby laughs following me.
"Hey, I like Gail's Mac and Cheese. She gave some to Elliott for dinner last week." Anna laughs
"GAIL! YOU! GAVE MY MAC AND CHEESE TO ELLIOTT! YOUR DEMOTED TO." Christian yells. I whack his head.
"Christian Grey manners!" Mom barks
"Demote me, I'll tell Anna about the last few weeks searching for her. Ring some blackmail bells Mr. Grey." I laugh getting their plates.
"I'll be good, I promise." He smirks at me.
"So how long did it take to work out the show?" Abby asks
"We ad lib it. We spent five minutes discussing the marriage. The rest practicing the honeymoon." Anna laughs, bumping Christian shoulder.
"Anna Rose Steele-Lambert, I'm sitting here; I can hear you. I have heart problems!" Ray yells from the great room couch.
"Daddy, you caught us In Flagrante Delicto. That's why your forcing us to marry at our young age. Before I could sow my wild oats!"
"Anna you didn't?" We all ask.
"You guys will just have to count backward from the Triplet's hatching." Anna tease them.
"We can't say. Pre-married privilege. Right Dad, soon to be Granddad" Christian tease his parents.
"Alright comedy hour is over. Anna will go home with Grace. Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Stick that in your funny bone" Carrick says.
"No, we aren't" Christian says.
"Luggage is already headed there; your brother is headed over for the bachelor party. Grey house is female only Bachelorette party. Finish up, you have 10 minutes alone with the door open before we leave." Carrick laughs. They shovel food and wipe the plates. Then run for the bedroom, we hear the lock slam home.
Ray knocks on the Door. "Jason has the keys: nine minutes" He a Carrick lean on each other laughing.
Now I know where Elliott and now Christian get their slewed comedy from. Grace is rolling her eyes. She mouths "Two peas in a pod" I laugh, trying to hide it. "Smack" Jason smacks my ass, lingering he cops a feel. My panties wet at my man's ways.
They exit twenty minute later dressed. He walks them to the cars. Jason had me go with them. Mrs. Whitaker; a backup housekeeper will deal with the penthouse, and boys mess. I'm part of the bride's party. I feel so proud to be included, part of the family.
He kisses her, like we don't exist. We ladies "ooo" and "aaa". Love is grand. Christian has to pick up Winston, because he doesn't want Anna to leave. We head to Grey house. Anna hugs me. "My Shield Bearer, like Abby. I know how much Christian means to you, and you mean to him." She sleepily cuddles into us for the car ride. Till we pickup Kate from work, she puts on the radio. They, we all start singing to the radio songs. I laugh at how happy and free we all are. What a strange and great start to her new life, Mrs. Christian Grey!