Authors Note:
Sorry for the delay.
I have not and will not ever abandon my stories. I am just having a hard time with real life. On top of having pneumonia for the past month my eldest has had a small surgery planned for his tonsils. At the same time his hip pain turned excruciating and now he needs to have both repaired.
He will need a scope and than another set of surgeries.
My ten year old will also be having bilateral knee surgery. As their mom and the one who gave them this connective tissue disorder this has been very difficult. I feel guilty even though I know I couldn't have changed this. You never want to see your babies in pain.
You want to take their pain away, absorb it for them, shield them from ever hurting but that isn't possible. As much as I would love to promise that nothing would ever happen to him Dory pointed out long ago that, " You can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him. Not much fun." This is just something they have to go through. That doesn't mean I won't be by their side. I will update all of my stories when possible. Thank you for being patient. 3
I don't know how it happened but Anastasia is giving me a hug again. Her tears have not stopped but she is holding on to my neck and upper back. No burning, none at all, it is actually the opposite. Her touch feels good. Almost Healing. How can that be?
I don't know how much time passes but the door to the room slams open with a deafening crash.
"Get your hands off my daughter Grey! You are a sick fuck and I won't have you near Ana or my grandson. I don't care how much money you have. She isn't going to be one of your slaves."
What is going on? I'm in the Twilight zone. I am guessing that this is General Steele. When did he get here? Anastasia is holding on to me and instead of jumping off of me she seems to be holding on tighter. I am trying to gently move Anastasia off of my lap but she is holding on with dear life. Is she afraid for me or her father?I look at her and what I see in her eyes is bewildering. She isn't afraid. She looks sad and apologetic. Does she think I will do something to her dad. She quickly glances up to me and quickly back to her father. It is obvious she is afraid of him. I don't think for herself. I believe she is afraid for, me. What does she think he will do? How is that possible after what he just said?
I am trying to control the rage that I am feeling towards the General but I don't know if it is possible. Someone I have never met is screaming at me like I am the pedophile. I could never be like that monster. What does he know? And how does he know it? Welch and Barney have some explaining to do.
Just as I am about to call out for Taylor. He pushes into the room with Sawyer and four men in army fatigues. The five men are armed. I detest guns. I guess this explains how the General was able to walk in unannounced.
General Steele moves closer to the bed, when they say, if looks good could kill they are serious. He has a look of unadulterated hate. You would think I ran over his puppy or slept with his wife or something.
If I didn't have Anastasia in my arms I would have punched that look off his face. Who does he think he is?
"Get your hands off my daughter! Get away from her. You are the lowest of the low. I don't care how much money you have, I am not afraid of you. If you think she is going in your room of torture you are mistaken."
Everyone in the room realizes that he knows about the bdsm. They are all staring at me. This doesn't make sense. Who else knows about my past? This reminds me that I need to talk to mom about her comment the first night I arrived here. I can't deal with that now. What will Anastasia say? I wanted to tell her on my own.
Did you Grey? Do you really believe that you would have told her now that she is conscious and giving you a chance? Would you risk seeing Jackson? …..I don't know. … think Grey. Take charge, worry later.
"General you have no idea what you are talking about." I whisper shout. I can't believe I am having this conversation in a hospital with someone I have never met. Correction, with a room full of people I have never met.
"Don't bother lying. I know about Suzannah Scott and Leila Williams. Get out of the hospital before I go to the news and tell them everything."
I can't find the words. Is this really happening? I am trying to find the words to explain everything. I don't want her to think I am a monster. What if she changes her mind and doesn't allow me to spend time with Jaxson?
I finally look at Anastasia and she looks mad. I move my hands away and look to the floor. It is too late.
"How dare you?" The venom in her voice is what I have always expected. It is the reason I have never told my family what happened. I knew they would hate me. It is how I envisioned they would react.
I rise out of my seat with Anastasia in my arms and place her back onto the bed. Her entire body is tensed and I am crushed. I feel like my world has ended. I haven't felt like this since I was four years old. At least I didn't really understand what I was losing back then.
"I'm sorry Anastasia. May I say goodbye to Jaxson before I leave." My voice is a whisper. He is her son. Although it will kill me I will not go against her wishes if she says no.
"Christian, shut up! I am not speaking to you."
What?! I raise my eyes and she is looking right at her father. I steal a look at him and he appears to be as baffled as I. This is definitely unexpected. She gracefully rises from the hospital bed. Although she is attached to an IV it looks more like Gandalf's powerful staph and not like something that is holding her back. Each step she takes towards her father she looks taller and taller, almost menacing.
If I didn't know better I would think that she had put on stilettos so that she was almost eye to eye with the General.
"Jason close the door please." The voice is quiet but authoritative. It leaves no room to argue. Normally Jason would look towards me when an order was given by someone else but this time Anastasia has left no room to be questioned.
What Anastasia says next floors me.
"Daddy I love you but you have no right to speak to my dear friend like this."
" Friend?" I like the sound of that. In my head I am reaching my hand into the air and punching the sky, on the outside I stand stoically waiting for what will happen next.
" Yes, now quiet." For an instant she turns back and her eyes are smiling and I can see her amusement. I'm not fooling her and I have to admit that I like that. I hadn't realized I said that out loud but her confirmation warms me. I have a friend, a real friend. I don't think I have ever been this happy.
She turns back to her father and her eyes turn frosty once more. Remember that look Grey… don't piss her off.
"Anastasia, you have no idea what kind of man he is. Mia and his parents are wonderful. His brother is a manwhore but he is harmless otherwise. This man is a monster, he hides behind his money." The hatred dripping off her father's voice could be battery acid, it is lethal.
"I don't know what information you have or where you got it but this man has been by son and your grandsons side for the past few days.
He hasn't left the hospital. Jason, his CPO has been arranging for food, change of clothes and the rooms next to Jaxsons for his team to rest. He has had an army of guards protecting myself and my little boy. Have you forgot that is your only grandchild. His character is what is important to me and he has proven himself as a caring, kind and generous man. I don't need you judging him and trying to forbid me like I am a teenager. The days for that have long past."
"Anastasia, you are my baby. I am just looking out for you. He is not the man you think. He has somehow brainwashed you. I just need a few minutes alone to tell you the truth. Trust me Annie you don't want that monster near Jaxson." The General seems to be fuming. I know I have called myself a monster and thought my family would say the same if they found out about my past but a complete stranger calling me a monster is an entirely different story.
"Daddy, I love you, really I do, and I appreciate where this is coming from but if you ever imply that I am some moron that can be brainwashed by some pretty face and fat wallet you really don't know me. Those are two things that are more likely to turn me away and you know that. I know more than enough." She quips as she turns around and heads back towards her bed.
Does everyone know my secrets?
"Anastasia, please listen to me, I won't allow him to hurt you.."
Before the General can say anymore he is cut off by Anastasia that is seething with fury. She has stopped in her tracks. She slowly turns around and if she could be a cartoon character I am sure flames would be coming through her ears right now. This is the maddest I have ever seen her. Considering the short amount of time we have known each other that is substantial.
Note to self, don't ever try to forbade Anastasia from anything .
"What do you mean 'allow me', nobody tells me what to do. Paul didn't when he was alive and you don't know. Maybe you haven't noticed but I am not a little kid anymore. Even if I was a kid the minute the stick turned pink I became an adult. He…" She stops momentarily and points toward me then quickly turns her attention back to her father. "is my friend daddy. I don't need you to 'allow' me to do anything.
I'm glad I never really envisioned Ms. Steele as a sub because that would not have happened. I knew that after we met the first day but seeing her put her father in his place makes this moment a little better.
"Annie please, a few days of flashing his cash does"
Before the General can say anymore my world is again turned upside down.
"Daddy stop, he has left the lifestyle and he was forced into it like husband number three tried to do to me. What if I hadn't been able to get a hold of you that day? What if you had left for that mission? What if Morton had been able to sell my virginity like he planned? He was an innocent child Daddy. At fifteen a monster took advantage of him. His monster had access and was able to cause for worse damage. The only difference between he and I was that his monster succeeded. She messed with his mind and made him think it was consensual. A grown woman made him believe that he couldn't be loved, that he wasn't worthy of his family and that nobody cared about him. Sound familiar?"
"Annie, I …"
"Daddy I appreciate you looking after me but I am not a child. Everything is not always how it appears."
"What about the women?"
"Daddy, he is a grown man. Unless you can tell me those women were underage it is consensual. I am not going to judge his private life. I don't ask you about your boyfriend and what you do when you are alone. Should I judge you by your nocturnal activities?"
"Annie, that is not what you think." The General pleads.
Even I don't believe that.
"Daddy I have known about you and Gregory since I was fourteen. I want you to be happy. Don't sully that with a lie. Christian is a friend. Will that change into something more, I don't know. What I do know is that you will have to get along. I need you both."
As her words sink in I realize that she heard everything I said when she was unconscious. She needs me and she isn't repulsed by my past. Why didn't she tell me she knew?
"Annie, I am sorry. I shouldn't have barged in here like that. If you are willing to talk about number three than I know it is the truth. I didn't think anyone could be worse than that creature."
"Daddy we all need to talk but can we do this without an armed audience. No offense."
Ana slowly walks back over to her bed. The adrenaline must be leaving her body because she looks like a flower that is wilting. I need to know about this Morton/number three but right now is not the time. A quick look at Taylor and he knows I want all the information. After this fuck up the guys better not miss anything.
"Annie, how are you feeling? I just received word last night about the fire. I was on a mission with zero communication. I got on the first flight. Thanks for offering you jet Mr. Grey but my jets our faster."
I think The General is trying to play nice. I guess from what he knew I was a monster. I will need to ask him what he knows and how but that can wait.
"Please call me Christian, Mr. Steele. If I could fly one of yours I would choose that too."
"It is General Steele" Ana gives her father that stare and he stands tall and seems to acquiesce. " but you can call me Ray." He reaches out his hand and we shake. For an old man he has a strong grip. Nothing I can't take but he is definitely sending a warning.
"Ray, I know we have a lot to talk about but can we do this in private. Ana's Security can show you where to go and the nurses can explain the protocols. Ana is still recovering and we don't want to delay her reunion with Jaxson."
"Annie, I want to know everything."
"Yes, daddy." She kisses him on the cheek as he looks over her. It looks like this is the first time he is seeing all the wires, monitors and bandages. The look of pure anger that washes over his face is frightening. He looks at me, Sawyer and Taylor and Trevor who is now standing guard by the door.
With a nod I begrudgingly get an okay.
"What can you tell me about this Hyde?" He asks Taylor. His fists are turning white and the vein is popping out on the side of his neck. Poppa Steele is mad. Let's hope all of the precautions we have taken to ensure the safety of his daughter and grandson will get me in his good graces.
Just as an angry Ray and his fatigue covered friends go to leave an alarm on Taylor's watch blares to life. The sound is unmistakable. Before I can stop myself I tense. Ana notices and she too realizes what it means.
Rays hand flies to his holster and he too is ready to attack.
"Jaxson!" Is her only cry as she tries to run for the door. My arms slip around her tiny waist and I pull her back onto the bed.
"Taylor what is going on?"
"The silent alarm has been activated on Jaxson's room. We installed it yesterday. It locks him in the room. He should be safe but I need to find out why it got activated. Stay here."
"What? No! If something's happening i need to be there. My baby." Ana's screaming heightens Christian panic.
"Sir, don't leave the room." I might not like it but I know in instances like this I can't argue with Jason.
Holding on to Anastasia as she is freaking out about what is happening is like holding a shark by its tail during a feeding frenzy.
"Calm down Ana, your stitches."
Ray isn't happy that I have my arms around his daughter but he too is worried about his grandson.
"Sawyer guard the door. Don't open it until you receive the all clear. Hopefully this is just a false alarm." Taylor is taking control of the situation.
Just as Taylor is leaving Ray and two of his men rush towards the door.
"We are coming. Two of my men will stay and help your men. Let's go."
"Daddy…." Ana's tears are now wails.
"Annie, stay here."
I gently lift her and place her head against my chest. I can't tell her to stop crying because I am on the verge of tears. The fear she must be feeling is unimaginable. I have to believe that my men have Jaxson safe. Until we know something I will hold her and rub her back. We can comfort each other.
The seconds feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours. If Ana wasn't attached to an IV I would be afraid that she would become dehydrated from all the tears.
We need to know what is happening. Feeling helpless I continue to rub her back as she weeps into my soaked shirt.
"Ana, I won't let anything happen to that little boy. I love him. His avengers will keep him safe."
I don't know what I said but the tears just got stronger. Ana is gripping onto my shirt and I can feel her nails digging into my chest. It is actually a comfortable distraction from the fear that is eating me up inside.
I need to know what is happening.
In the distance I can hear shots being fired. I remember the sound from when I lived in Detroit.
The piercing sound can be nothing else.
TPOV
Today had been a clusterfuck of monumental proportions. Not only did General Steele barge in on the boss he somehow knows all of his secrets.
I might not have always agreed with the kinky stuff the boss was into he is a grown man. The harem of brunettes were consenting adults. If they had been anywhere close to eighteen I would have quit on the spot.
True BDSM is t for everyone but after seeing his nightmares firsthand I could see why he wanted the control. I even spoke to some people in the community and what he did was tame.
I can't say I was sad to see Cruella DeVille go. She was poisonous. He has changed so much since her evil claws were removed.
He was still an ass but usually people deserved it. They see a pretty face and number signs. They don't see what he does for others. They only think about what it will do for them. His philanthropic ways and how he helps is what counts. He quietly gives to so many organizations.
When General Steele barged into the hospital I had no idea what was going to happen. I can't say I would have behaved differently if Sofia was in the same position. For the moment things had calmed down.
The alarm going off has us all worried. Jaxson's floor is lined with my men. I am hoping it is a false alarm but with that fucker Hyde on the loose we can't chance it. He has already proven that he has no problem hurting a child.
" We are taking the stairs. What is happening? We have a Three minute ETA. Be ready."
"Hyde was seen at the service elevator by Tyler one of the new men. He was in blue scrubs. He has bleached and cut his hair but it is obvious that it was him."
"Where is Jaxson?" They better not let anything happen to that little boy.
He is in his new room getting a breathing treatment with Dr. Travelyn. Ms. Kavanugh and Ms. Grey are in the room as well. I am positioned outside. Spider-Man is inside the room. It is locked."
Reynolds is trying to speak calmly but the tension in his voice makes in evident that he is anything but. The strain in his voice is palpable. We run the last floor of steps faster in an anxious silence.
Once on the floor everyone is on high alert. Weapons are not drawn but everyone has their hand on their holster.
General Steele might have twenty years on me but he is fit. Not that anything else would be expected of a former army ranger. I have to admit that having the General and his extra men is helpful.
As we round the corner the halls are empty. Each patient has a nurse in their room and the guards are lining the halls. We slowly make it towards Jaxson's new room when a shot is fired. Trying to return fire while not hitting any patients is difficult. While Hyde doesn't seem to care and is hitting everything. The last shot grazes my shoulder and hits the General in the bicep.
Hyde has escaped to the emergency exit with four men on his trail.
I turn back towards the General to see if he needs any help but he is gone.
"Open these doors!" The general yells at Reynolds.
My men are ready to pounce. They have all come to love this little boy.
"Let the General in to see his grandson after we get him cleaned up."
"Sir you don't want to scare Jaxson with all if that blood. Let the nurse get you patched up. That way we can confirm that Hyde is out of the building. If you sit here you can see him. As is your daughter is going to go ballistic that I let you get shot."
"My Annie is a spitfire. Hurry this up. I need to make sure he is safe for myself. I am also going to call in more men."