Chapter 6

I wake with a start. I'm hot and sweaty and pinned. I can feel my heart start to accelerate. Remembering where I am, I try to control my breathing. Christian is breathing heavily and evenly against my neck. He had one leg thrown over mine and arm across my ribs. As slowly and carefully as I can, I maneuver myself away from him and replace it with a couple of pillows from the bed. Silent as a mouse I gather my clothes and redress. Carrying my heels, I give Christian a small kiss on and his hair and out the door I go.

Slipping out into the hallway, I see one of the security guards sitting at the end of the hallway. I give him a nod as I walk past and put my finger to my lips. He nods back in understanding and gives me a small wave before going back to his phone.

I check my phone in the elevator and see it's only 0130. I send off a text to Waylon and Lucas.

A : Anybody up for breakfast?

W: Fuck. Yes.

A: Diner on 3rd and Park. ETA 20 mins?

W: 10-4

I hailed a cab and gave the address of the diner. I'm the first one there and get a corner booth. I order a coffee and wait for the guys.

"Promise me."

"Baby, I can't. I swore to you that I would never make a promise I couldn't keep. You're it for me. If God forbid something happened to you, I would never have another. Casual fling, yes. I am only a man. But a woman that I would want to spend the rest of my days with? No. I gave my heart away a long, long time ago and I have no intention of ever taking it back."

"I love you, more than anything."

"I love you more."

I shake my head and wipe my eyes, willing my tears away that are threatening to fall. I see Waylon and Lucas getting out of their cab and coming into the diner. I smile at them and see them smirk.

"Either he was a shitty lay or you left the poor sap asleep to wake up alone and feeling used in the morning. I'm going with the latter."

"Shut up Way. I had to get out of there. He was clinging to me like a fucking boa constrictor. He's lucky I was able to talk myself down," I say rolling my eyes and sipping my coffee.

They both laugh as the waitress comes back. We order and sit back.

"So, was he a good lay? What was he, 7 or 8 inches, Lucas asked wiggling his eyebrow at me.

I laugh and hold up 9 fingers and indicate his girth my hands as well.

"Damn! Should have woke him up for round 2 or just tied his ass to the bed and rode him until the cows came home," Lucas said cackling the whole time.

Waylon just watches us, snorting in amusement into his coffee cup.

"I have a feeling he likes to do the tying."

"You think he's a Dom? Get the fuck out. I'm not letting that shit go down again," Waylon stared at me with his piercing green eyes.

"I know what I'm doing. I'll be okay. I'm not a little girl anymore. Mr. Grey is . . . Intriguing. I laid down my ground rules and he laid down his. We both respected one another's rules and had a good time. I wouldn't mind having a fuck buddy, I just don't want feelings involved. Ever."

"Just, have fun babygirl. You know only one call and we'll fuck his world up."

"I know."

"Changing subject. Have you decided what option to take after graduation," Lucas asked, eyeing me carefully.

"I don't know. Dad is still on me to go to the Academy. I just don't know if I can up and move my life, again."

"Agent Steele would have a nice ring to it," Waylon laughs. "Those suits at Quantico don't know what they would be getting into with, with you."

"True. I think I know that I don't want to go back to the Rangers. I mean don't get me wrong, I love doing a random weekend and teaching the babies but I'll get bored. We all know it."

The waitress appears with our plates and refills for our coffees. The boys laugh and start shoveling their food in. Old habits die hard. We all scarf our food down and wait til we're all done before we start talking again.

"Seattle Swat sounds more appealing. I know it won't be all hostage situations or explosions but I'll get to stay home. Really it's down between the two. The FBI or Seattle Swat Team. What do you think he would want me to do?"

"Don't," they say at the same time.

I look down into my mug and swish the liquid around.

"Babe, you have to do what feels right for you. He's gone. We all lost him and feel it every day. He would want you to be happy. That's all he ever wanted was for you to be safe, happy and loved," Lucas says and he rubs my forearm lightly.

I can feel the tears again and blink them away.

"Enough of this mushy shit. Let's go back to my apartment and attempt sleep. I have a feeling an angry Christian Grey will be on my doorstep in the morning."

Ordering a uber, we pay our tab and make plans for this tomorrow.

"I'm voting for a trip to Ray's. We can pick up paintballs on the way," I say smirking.

"Yes!"

"Hell yes!"

I laugh and go settle up the tab. The boys leave a tip on the table and we head out to our Uber.

The three of us ride in comfortable silence. I lean my head on Lucas' shoulder and watch the lights pass by. Even now, after all this time they still protect me. They're the big brothers I always wanted. I'm more thankful for them then they'd ever know. Without them, I would have lost mind after my capture and then his death.

We arrive at the apartment, and I let us in. They boys grab their usual spots, Waylon in the recliner and Lucas on the couch. I drag some blankets and pillows I hadn't packed yet into the living room.

I cover them both up and as I walk away Lucas grabs my hand.

"I know it's been a rough day. You can wake me up if you need me. I'm always here for you Anastasia," he whispered earnestly.

"I know. Thank you. I love you. Goodnight."

"Love you. Goodnight."

Sinking into my bed under the covers I silently pray I make it through the night uninterrupted.

Welcome back everyone! Sorry for the long delay. But, Life. Anyhow, I hope this chapter helped answer some questions. Thanks for reading!