Chapter 22 - Control

Ray arrived fifteen minutes ago from Montesano. In the month's I've known Ray, for the most part he's been stressed out worrying about his little girl. I couldn't help but wonder about his normal demeanor. It's been eight hours since the incident outside Flynn's office. After checking on Ana and Luke, he insisted he take Ana home with him in the morning. As always, Luke was welcome as well.

According to Ray, his daughter was officially done with Seattle. It took every ounce of self-control I had to choke down my looming panic attack. We were just starting whatever this relationship was going to be. I couldn't lose her now. I knew Ana well enough to know she wouldn't disobey her father, regardless of the fact that she was an adult. All I could hear was my subconscious telling me over and over again that I was going to lose her. My heart sank.

"We're looking at the worst recorded pap feeding frenzy ever in this country. I think you need a brutal lesson in media 101 Christian," Kate informs me bitterly. I can't help but roll my eyes at her. I know it's a habit I abhor in others, but I just can't help myself. Leave it to Kate Kavanagh to attempt to school me. "There are two types of media – reputable and tabloid. Both sides loathe each other and want to see the other fail. So the first thing that needs to happen is you need to work with an ally on the reputable side, because they will bring many of the other reputable media companies on board, because let's face it, the tabloid media give real journalists a bad name, so if we can screw them over we will at every opportunity. Don't get me wrong, if there is a real story there, we'll follow it and skewer you in the media, but if you're being treated unfairly, as Ana is, we'll do whatever we have to in order to crucify the tabloids.

"Second, you put extra security on your family then everyone goes to their respective homes and lives their individual lives as normally as possible under the circumstances. We're the media – you hide and we'll seek. At this point the only people who should be flying under the radar are Ana, for obvious reasons, and Luke because he probably should be in the hospital and his ass was beaten protecting Ana. In the media's eye they were already connected as friends. Harrison is irrelevant because no sooner than he went down he was sadly forgotten."

"So you want me to just leave Ana and Sawyer here alone? He can't defend her in his condition nor would I expect him to," I counter bitterly.

"Nor would I expect him to," Kate mocks me as she does an impression of my verbal inflection. Fucking Elliot and Mia snicker. If I could put Kate over my knee at this moment I would. She can't help but give me an evil smirk. "You need to let them think she's holed up at Escala, this way all of the media is congregating there as opposed to everywhere. Put my sorry ass in a brown wig and over-sized sunglasses in the back of one of the Audi SUV's with you and Taylor tomorrow evening, and they'll never know the difference since you park underground. I'll walk out of Escala some time later as myself. This will allow the Seattle PD to do their job more effectively in terms of crowd control by limiting where the paps go. It also protects Ana as she'll be safely hidden away here and they'll bother your family less because they are after the two of you after all."

"And then what? Let them spew their bull shit about Ana all over the national media?"

Kate smiles mischievously. "We lawyer her up and set them on the attack against the tabloid media outlets who defame her and the freelance morons that hurt her, Sawyer, and Harrison," Kate laughs as she plugs a tablet into the large television in the living room and shows us a screen shot of the frenzy behind Flynn's office. I can't help but admire the snapshot and the cartoon-like bubbles that emanate from two-thirds of the people here providing their name, employer, home address, and phone number. "Dad and his team have been working hard since it happened to identify as many people as possible who were at the attack and those who are spewing crap on television and the web. We bury these assholes in lawsuits before they can make too much money selling pictures, advertising, and stories. If we let this go much past today, they'll be racking in more money than they'll ever pay out from the lawsuits. Hit them where it hurts, their wallets.

"Then GEH issues a simple statement along the lines of: Mr. Grey and Ms. Steele have known each other for x-period of time when Ms. Steele interviewed him for the college newspaper. We can confirm that Mr. Grey and Ms. Steele began a personal relationship one week ago after not having seen each other since the photo shoot four months or so ago other than when he visited her once at the hospital briefly after the Brew House attack. GEH condemns the vicious attack by the out of control tabloid media and freelance photographers that occurred that left Ms. Steele and two members of GEH's security team injured along with three members of the Seattle Police Department who responded to the near riot conditions. GEH recognizes the medias interest in Mr. Grey's personal life, but condemns the actions taken by certain irresponsible tabloid media outlets in creating an atmosphere that resulted in this unfortunate incident. No further statements on this matter will be issued by Mr. Grey or GEH with regard to this matter as we firmly believe that the private lives of citizens should remain private."

"Then you want me to do nothing?" I snap at her.

"After that allow Kavanagh Media to do their jobs. It will take me a few hours to get people that really know Ana in front of the media. I've already got that ball rolling. The slimier media outlets are attempting to put her on trial in the court of public opinion, but they don't realize she's a fricking saint. I say, before they really get a full head of steam, because this crap is just the beginning, we counter it with the truth about Ana. My dad loves her like one of his own. He's ready to do whatever it take to protect her and has been in contact with other large media outlets who feel as he does, that the tabloid media needs to be slapped down. Dad knows there's nothing in Ana's background other than husband number three. He also knows something about Ana that he says could potentially shut this bullshit down, but he has to talk to her before wielding it as a sword."

"What is this secret?" Mia asks.

"Dad won't tell me," she replies. "From what I understand Ana and my dad spoke while she was recovering in Montesano after the car accident. He gave her some advice, but beyond that I don't know."

"It sounds like a good plan son," Dad comments. "My firm will gladly represent Ana pro-bono. It will be a good project for our new team of interns." I look around the room and I can see my mother, Elliot, Mia, and the full security team are in agreement. Me? Well, I just want to know the secret and protect Ana.

"The reality is Annie and I can't stop you from moving this plan forward," Ray begins, "as your security members were injured Christian, so you are entitled to respond how you see fit. Katie, I appreciate your assistance Kavanagh Media can provide to shut this mess down. You also need to realize that once Annie's head clears, she's not going to sit around and do nothing. The reason it took so long for me to get here was my phone was ringing off the hook with requests for interviews with Annie by the national media. I've taken names and numbers, but it's going to be Annie's decision whether she accepts any of the offers. I agree with lawyering up and filing lawsuits. Annie will probably insist any monies raised go to charity. It must really be a slow news day for this craziness to be all over the national news. I know you're a billionaire Christian, but this is ludicrous."

With Ray's blessing, we start the chain of events. GEH issued a press release within the hour. Kavanagh Media called in their allies on both the print and broadcast front. Dad sets his legal team on the attack. One hour later, the first interviews with people who knew Ana were making their way to the airwaves and the internet. The testimonials came from her instructors, the owners of Clayton Hardware, people in her classes, people she volunteered with at the university, Montesano, and here in Seattle. The two most telling ones came from Paul Clayton and Jose Rodriguez.

Clayton stated he'd known Ana for four years while she was a college student and worked at his family's hardware store. She was sweet, kind, hardworking, and a good student. Though he had asked her out multiple times, she rebuffed his advances stating she wouldn't date anyone she worked with and that at the time she was solely focused on college.

Jose Rodriguez explained he'd been good friends with Ana since their first day at the university. Their father's had been in the military together. During their four years at school, she never dated; rather she focused all of her attention on school, working, and volunteering. He went on to mention that he was the photographer on the original photo shoot with me and while he didn't particularly care for me, he saw the attraction between us first hand, but stated that Ana rebuffed me at that time after going for coffee. Her excuse for pushing me away: she was intimidated by my money and status. For once I might actually like Rodriguez.

By ten p.m. we made the decision that for tonight everyone was staying put at the West Union apartment. Mom refused to leave Sawyer and Ana when at the very least Luke needed her to watch over him for the night. If Mom had her way, she'd have taken him to the hospital, but when he briefly woke up a few hours ago he adamantly refused.

Ana finally awoke at midnight. She'd slept for just over a dozen hours, which I welcomed. I knew she hadn't been sleeping much, so this was one good thing to come out of something horrible. She still looked dazed and overwhelmed, but slightly better than earlier.

"Hi Dad," she whispered as she sank into Ray's arms as everyone watched her cautiously. "Sorry about this mess and pulling you away from home yet again."

"I just want my little girl happy and protected," he replied as he kissed her forehead. "You need to eat something."

She refused, which just made me want to spank her. I couldn't help but glare her way, causing her to laugh nervously. "Stow it Grey," she replied with an almost mischievous smirk. "Force me to eat when I feel this way and it's you I'll be tossing my cookies on fifteen minutes later."

Ray laughs before turning his attention my way. "When Annie gets upset, she doesn't eat. Carla and I learned the hard way while she was growing up, if we forced her to eat we'd be the ones paying the price in terms of clean up duty."

We explained the courses of action we'd set in motion while she was sleeping. I think we all expected her to be upset, but she merely nodded and as Ray predicted, she wanted any monies from lawsuits to go to charity. Kate was right - she was a saint.

"How are Luke and Harrison? When I popped in to see Luke after I woke up he was sleeping. He looks awful."

"Give him a few weeks and he'll be fine," Taylor replied. "Once all those stitches are out he'll be back to his annoying self. Harrison was discharged a little while ago and is heading home for the night."

When Ana asked how many stitches Sawyer needed and Taylor replied over seventy, I thought she was going to cry.

"How are you feeling?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Shell shocked. It was a living nightmare. They grabbed Harrison as soon as the door opened, and he'd been holding my hand to pull me through to the car as quickly as possible. All I remember are flashes of light, yelling, and then the pushing started. Next thing I know Harrison is on the ground unconscious. Before Luke could grab me, I was pulled into the fray by some moron and I was knocked down. People were tripping over me, while I heard Luke calling for me and shoving people aside. Someone yelled, get him and the next thing I knew Luke was taken down by a bunch of guys a few feet from me. I know they hit him with a bottle a few times. That's how his head was split open. Then I was pulled further away from him. It was terrifying. I was about twelve feet from Luke when I heard the gunshot. I thought they'd shot him. When the crowd dispersed for a few second, I saw Luke running toward me. Between his head, nose, and leg he was a bloody mess. He picked me up and managed to throw me into the front seat of the Audi with the keys before they attacked him again. He was screaming at me to pull away, but I couldn't leave them there. Harrison was practically crawling toward the car in a daze and Luke was being beaten with a piece of a wood and they were kicking him while he was on the ground. It was just awful."

She stopped and took a few deep breaths, allowing Ray to hold her tighter as her eyes started to tear. "My eyes met Luke's when Harrison was closing in on him, and I could see Luke was dazed, but still royally pissed at me for not leaving. I just couldn't leave them. I couldn't. So I pointed the Audi at the fight, revved the engine, threw it in drive, and beeped the horn like a crazy woman. I managed to turn the car so Luke and Harrison could get into the driver's seat, but along the way, Harrison must have gotten hit again because Luke pushed him in first and Harrison was out cold. Luke wasn't in much better shape – hell, he was in worse shape but somehow conscious. Luke ordered me to drive to Harborview and we dropped Harrison off in the emergency room. Luke wouldn't go in, but I could see he was in bad shape. We exchanged some pretty harsh words before he literally shoved me into the back seat and started driving here. After that it's just a daze. It was like all my energy drained out and my brain shut down. The next thing I remember Dad, is waking up in a strange bed, with Taylor and Christian at my side as they searched for Luke."

"Annie, I'm taking you home in the morning. You're not safe in Seattle," Ray declared. It clearly wasn't a question but a statement of fact in Ray's eyes. "Luke is welcome to come recuperate at our house but you are not coming back here. You'll have employment opportunities elsewhere."

"But Da-

Ray interrupted her protest. "But nothing Annie. You've almost been killed in Seattle three times now and every time it's had something to do with Christian. I know it's not his fault but can't you see that he can't keep you safe. You've been hurt. Luke's been shot and had the holy heck beaten out of him trying to keep you safe. What's it going to take, him getting killed trying to protect you before you change your mind?"

"We'll triple your security Ana," I exclaim. I'm desperate. I don't want her to leave. Ray played the Luke card, and even I know how close they are. Luke wants to protect Ana like I want to protect Mia. "She can live in one of my guest rooms at Escala."

"No," Ana whispers dejectedly. "Dad's right. Plus it would be inappropriate and uncomfortable for me to live in your penthouse."

Ray looks my way. By his piercing blue gaze I know I'm facing the inquisition. "So Christian, tell me, before these three incidents with Ana, have you or any of your past female friends been threatened or attacked?"

"The only threats I've received have been business related. There were three instances over the past five years where my security needed to be increased, but nothing in the year before the highway attack on Ana," I reply.

Ray turned to Taylor for his next question. "Why do you think Ana's been so aggressively targeted as opposed to your boss?"

"Mr. Grey regularly gets fan mail from women who want relationships with him. Some write repeatedly and in my opinion are unstable. Clearly his interest in Ana has upset a few people. This coupled with Ana's viral video, which upset some of the tabloid journalists, complicated an already sticky issue," he replied. "From what GEH's head of security, Welch has been able to find out, he believes there was more to the attack on Ana than just the media. As you know, we've been providing security on Ana because we weren't certain if Jameson had an accomplice. What if she did? What if the situation behind Dr. Flynn's office was in part, planned."

"Explain Taylor," I order. I can't help but wonder why this theory is just being mentioned.

"Miss Kavanagh, can you put the picture back up?"

Once the picture identifying many of those outside the rear door is back on the big screen, Taylor continues. "Kavanagh Media has identified a big chunk of the people, but look at their strategic locations with regard to the attack. They are either up front and being pulled backward by others who aren't identified, or they are backing away as the scuffle gets out of control. We're talking fifteen out of forty people and if you'll notice, many of them don't have cameras but camera phones. These aren't paparazzi or media people. If you look at the blonde guy here," he points out the tall man, "he doesn't have a camera at all, just two bottles in his hand and there are three more like him and two with sections of two by fours. Welch went back through two weeks worth of video from a nearby security camera, and these guys, along with some of the other people on screen without real cameras, have been in and around the area. According to Harrison, Ana's schedule was like clockwork in terms of her visiting Flynn three times per week and these guys were only around before and during her appointment times. The question is what was their intent and if they were just hired muscle by Jameson's associate or directly involved with Jameson's screwed up mess as the associates? If the latter, why?"

Mia moves closer to the screen examining some of the different unnamed people. She asks Kate to increase the resolution and expand the picture of one of the men in question. As the screen gets bigger, Mia gasps. "I've seen this man outside the Coping Together offices on days that I was there with Ana. He was with a few other guys just hanging out on the outdoor patio of the bar across the street."

"Are you certain?" Taylor asked. She nods "Can you give us a date and approximate time so we can have Welch and the police go through their credit card receipts for that day?"

"A week ago Saturday around five pm," she replied. "They were leaving as we were leaving the offices."

"We need to pull the hardware store security tape to see if he was outside of there," Reynolds adds as he steps away and calls Welch.

"Have Bubba pull the security videos around the houseboat and his restaurant," Taylor ordered.

Ana's face revealed her anxiety over the situation. Every ounce of her being shows her fear, from her clenched fists, to her rigid posture, to the grim line of her lips. "Taylor is going to need a list of everyone you are editing or in contact with to edit, along with anyone of your coworkers at the hardware store that might make you uncomfortable. Your phone and email records are also required," I demand. I know as soon as she woke up a little while ago, she took her cell phone off Sawyer's bedside table and placed the battery back inside it. I regret not checking her emails and phone log earlier. For that matter, I regret not going through her computer because right now she was gazing at the laptop as it sat on the dining room table.

"Excuse me?" Ana countered as she got to her feet and grabbed the laptop off the table.

"We need that information so we can eliminate suspects," I reply firmly. "Now is not the time to be defiant."

"This mess has nothing to do with my personal life before I met you or my editing. This mess started with an interview and a date with you that went all kinds of wrong. Look through your own business emails and phone logs, not mine," she snapped standing before me defiantly. God it was all kinds of hot seeing her worked up like that.

"Your thick-headedness is going to get you killed," I scream at her.

"Let's get something straight Grey," she snaps glaring up at me. "My friend and your employee, Luke Sawyer, knows everyone who I interact with and has deemed them for the most part safe. There are two people I interact with who he doesn't particularly care for, but won't tell me who they are, but I can take a really good guess at who they are and since you've warned me off one of them fairly recently, you know one person to look at. As to my business associates in my editing, they are none of your concern. You have no need to know about any of them. Most are people I've known for years whose work I've read online, others are friends of theirs or people I've stumbled across by chance. You're just upset because I have one secret from you and it royally pisses you off that I won't share it. When you share all of yours, I'll share my last one, but until then, this conversation is over."

"But –

"But nothing," she interrupts me. "This mess isn't my fault or your fault. It's just a cluster—well, clown farm or lack of a more PC term. You can take whatever actions you want against the media through GEH. I won't stop you. And if you think I don't know you'll run another background check on me, well then you've underestimated me. Run it all you want, you won't find anything new other than my bank account balance being higher. I'm done being intimidated by you Grey. I like you. I really do, but grow the heck up and realize you can't control everything. If you control everyone around you, then you're turning them into mindless yes-people, which means eventually you'll get bored with them. I may be quiet most of the time, timid even, but when it comes to you, if you push me in a direction I don't want to travel, I'll push back twice as hard. I don't give a damn about your money or the power you wield. I will always be the person I decide to be, not what you demand I be. If you can't handle that, then whatever this is between us is over. Your choice, so you see, I've given you control of something. Take it and be happy Christian. The decision is yours."

For once, I don't know how to reply. The faces around the room speak volumes – Kate is grinning broadly at her best friend, my family is shocked to the point where their jaws are practically hanging open; Taylor and the security team are trying their best to focus their attention at anyone but us. Finally Ray breaks the awkward silence with a laugh. "Wow Annie, I can't decide if you are filled with more piss or vinegar. Either way, welcome back baby girl."

"Well Dad, don't be too happy because I'm not heading back to Montesano with you either," she informs her father. Dom Ana, who would have thought.